Board of Directors Annual Election Information

3 Seats Open for Election

Link to Application for Board Seat

Application is also available to complete in the front office. 

The Board of Directors is the governing board for Charleston Charter School for Math and Science (CCSMS) and governs in accordance with the South Carolina Charter School Act.  The Board’s focus is supporting positive student achievement aligned with the mission of CCSMS and ensuring sound fiscal management.  The Board consists of nine members.  Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. 59-40-50, at least five (5) of the members must be individuals who have a background in K-12 education or in business. Board seats shall carry a term of two years and shall begin at the annual meeting of the year in November in which each Director is elected and shall expire at the annual meeting two years later.  In accordance with state law, board members cannot have any felonies on their record. A background check will be completed via SLED. Board members must be residents of the state of South Carolina.

At this time, there are three 3 seats open for election.

Voting will be conducted electronically via a secure election tool.  Eligible voters will receive an email with a link to vote.  Additional computer access for voting and paper ballots will be available in the CCSMS front office.  In accordance with S.C. Code Ann. 59-40-50, parents or guardians of a student have one vote for each student enrolled in the school; CCSMS employees each have one vote.

Board of Directors' Responsibilities.

The Board’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Review and pass a resolution for the board chair to sign a charter school contract and any amendments or related agreements with the sponsor which ensure compliance with the SC Charter Schools Act.
• Monitor the implementation of the charter, with the understanding, except as otherwise provided in the SC Charter Schools Act, a charter school is exempt from all provisions of law and regulations applicable to a public school, a school board, or a district, although a charter school may elect to comply with one or more of these provisions of law or regulations:
• Comply with all Federal and South Carolina laws that do apply to public charter schools in South Carolina;
• Perform any and all necessary legal acts to effectuate the purpose of the Corporation;
• Maintain accurate records of the business conducted at all Board meetings and ensure compliance with all related state and federal laws;
• Take proactive actions to ensure a positive working relationship with the Sponsoring School District;
• Pass a fiscally sound budget prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, ensure the school staff and any contracted services follow generally accepted accounting practices for a public charter school in South Carolina, and adhere to the same financial audits, audit procedures, and audit requirements as are applied to public schools;
• Approve, ratify, or authorize all necessary contracts or contracted services on behalf the School;
• Notify the public of scheduled meetings in accordance with state laws and be subject to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
• Establish and maintain policies for the governance and operation of the school in accordance with national, state, and local laws governing public charter schools in South Carolina, including but not limited to adherence to the same health, safety, civil rights, and disability rights requirements as are applied to public schools operating in Charleston County School District, employment and discharge of faculty and staff, enrollment and disciplinary actions, and finances.
• Hire, evaluate, retain and, if necessary, remove the school leader;
• Empower the school leader to implement the educational program and day to day operations of the school in accordance with the charter and related state and federal laws and review and evaluate the academic achievements and operational compliance throughout the year.
• Implement the appeals process for teacher dismissals and student expulsions when necessary;
• Develop and implement strategic plans and fundraising activities for the School in collaboration with the school leader; and
• Build and maintain family and community partnerships. 

Timeline of Process and Important Dates:

October 9, 2025                             Application must be submitted online or in the CCSMS front office by 12:00 p.m.

October 10, 2025                           Candidate information posted on website by this date.

October 14 and 15, 2025             Voting opens online by 9am on October 9 and ends 7pm on October 10 with paper ballots or computer ballots available on campus during school hours in the front office.

October 16, 2025                            Confirmation of election results at board meeting

November 20, 2025                        Annual Meeting and Election of Officers