Media Relations

Our Work

The Office of Communications is responsible for direct interaction with all media outlets, including print, television, radio, and the internet.

We work with our school and district staff to generate press releases and media advisories that inform our media partners and the public about important news, accomplishments, and events happening around the district. 
 
All media inquiries and requests to interview school and district personnel should be directed to our Director of Communications, Andy Pruitt, at andrew_pruitt@charleston.k12.sc.us or (843) 937-6583.
 
Charleston County School District (CCSD) recognizes and appreciates the role the media play in providing news and information to our community. It is the role of the Office of Communications to assist in providing information about the school system in a timely and accurate manner. Members of the media are encouraged to contact Andy Pruitt (contact information is listed above) with requests to interview, photograph, or film employees or students.

Requests for Employees

CCSD employs educators and administrators who are often leaders in the field of K-12 education. If you are interested in interviewing, photographing, or filming an employee, please contact the Office of Communications. This will allow for a consistent procedure to understand the information that is being requested, your deadline, and allow us to determine who would be the best source for your story.

Requests for Students

CCSD also has a significant number of accomplished, award-winning students throughout our district. We operate in compliance with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which provides parents/guardians/students to opt out of the release of certain information. Our schools keep a record of those requests, and our division coordinates with the schools to know who can appear in front of a camera or participate in an interview. Therefore, interviews, photographs, or video with students are not permitted without the prior approval of the Director of Communications, or his/her designee. Exceptions are routine coverage of CCSD athletics or on-campus events that are open to the public (i.e. artistic performances, award ceremonies, and graduations).

Requests for the Charleston County School District Board of Trustees

Requests for members of the CCSD Board of Trustees can be made directly to the Board members. You will find their contact information on the directory page in the Board of Trustees section of the website.

School Board Meetings

Per CCSD policy and in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act and open meeting laws, media members are encouraged to attend meetings of the School Board. Meeting announcements, agendas, meeting minutes, and other related supporting documents are available to the media and the general public on the district’s website either through BoardDocs or the Board of Trustees section of the website. To avoid disruption of the meeting, media representatives are asked to approach/interview Board members, guest speakers, or members of the audience at the conclusion of a meeting. Our Director of Communications or his/her designee can assist in coordinating these interviews.

Emergency Information

During an emergency, the media will not be allowed inside the affected school building(s). We ask that you direct all questions/requests to the Office of Communications. We will work to obtain information from our response team and local authorities on-site and respond to you as quickly as possible. You can monitor our social media platforms and CCSD Mobile App for up-to-date information as well. We request that you do not contact a school directly; their phone lines are needed to manage the situation and must remain open.