Judge rules Lexington-Richland School District 5 violated FOIA, district faces over $200K in legal fees

A South Carolina judge ruled that a school district violated the state’s Freedom of Information Act by holding secret meetings to finalize a superintendent’s resignation. The decision emphasizes that subsequent public votes cannot remedy initial transparency breaches, reinforcing the necessity of open governance in public institutions. The district faces significant legal fees, highlighting the substantial financial risks associated with non-compliance. This outcome serves as a critical warning to other public entities that strict adherence to open meeting laws is mandatory, as courts will not overlook procedural violations regardless of later remedial actions. This case is relevant to open data advocates because it underscores the importance of accessible public records. It demonstrates that transparency is not optional but a legal requirement, ensuring that citizen data requests and meeting schedules remain freely available to promote accountability and trust in government operations.

Source: wistv.com
Published on 2026-10-10

Judge rules Lexington-Richland School District 5 violated FOIA, district faces over $200K in legal fees

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