Kyla Cromer Tapped To Serve As School Board Chair

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The Cherokee County School Board on Wednesday appointed a new chairperson and approved its 2015-16 budget, which funds improvements including lowering class sizes and increasing school safety and student wellness.

District 1 member Kyla Cromer was selected by the board to serve the remainder of the unexpired term of former Board Chair Janet Read, who resigned last month to accept a new job with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

The term expires Dec. 31, 2016.

Former board member Fred Larsen was the other candidate in the running.

“I am here to serve with you for the betterment of the children of Cherokee County,” Cromer told board members after thanking them for their support. “I thank (Read) for setting an excellent example of how to lead with humility, grace and humor, and I’ll do my best to do that.”

As a result of Cromer’s appointment, the board will advertise for applications for her now-vacant seat; those applications will be considered at the Sept. 3 meeting.

Board members also unanimously approved the 2015-16 budget, which is set at $553 million. The budget includes a $363 million general fund day-to-day operating budget, as well as separate budgets for school construction and other areas.

Board members noted how pleased they are that the budget accomplished priorities they outlined last fall to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Petruzielo, including: continuation of the full 180-day school calendar; continuation of no furlough days for students of staff; continued lowering of class sizes; and continued competitive pay and benefits to attract and retain the best teachers and staff.

Vice Chair Patsy Jordan said this achievement was even more commendable in light of the school district still is not receiving its full state funding – this year’s state austerity budget cut was $11.1 million – and the local property tax millage rate was not increased.

“The first year I served on the school board, teachers and staff were furloughed eight days, and students were not receiving the 180-day instructional school year,” she said. “I’m very happy that three years later so many of my budget priorities have been honored.”

Jordan added she was especially pleased that the budget included the hiring of more teachers to decrease class sizes in middle schools and high schools following the same measure last school year in elementary schools, as well as hiring more bus drivers to alleviate some of the overcrowding, expanding the school nurse program and installing at all elementary and middle schools the school entry-door security system that was piloted last school year.

“Even though I would like to see the QBE fully funded, I do appreciate the steps we are taking to move forward to restore budget reserves without raising the school district’s millage rate,” Jordan said, thanking the Superintendent and his staff for their work to produce a zero-based, balanced budget.

Board member Clark Menard was not present for the meeting.

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Photo: Newly appointed school Board Chair Kyla Cromer is sworn into office by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood, as her daughter, Colleen, looks on. Cromer was appointed by the board at its July 22 meeting to fill the remainder of the term, which expires Dec. 31, 2016. Credit: Cherokee County School District