Auditors Give Cherokee Schools "Clean" Report

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday unanimously accepted the audit report for fiscal year 2014 from Williamson and Company, which issued a “clean” report with no findings.

Auditor Christian Hatch made a presentation to the board, and noted that the audit showed no “material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in financial statements or federal awards,” according to the school district’s meeting recap.

The board also approved school calendars for the years 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19. These calendars will be posted on the district’s website and feature the balanced calendar structure the system has utilized for more than a decade.

Additionally, board members also approved an easement on the property acquired from the city of Canton as part of its land swap agreement approved last month. The easement allows for a better alignment of a common driveway to be shared with a portion of the property retained by the city for a future fire station.

Superintendent Dr. Frank Petruzielo recognized several administrative moves approved as part of the personnel recommendations.

New appointments were:

• Amanda Fleming, School Nutrition Coordinator
• Judy Withey, Curriculum Coordinator, Language Arts and Social Studies
• Dr. Shannon Carroll, Curriculum Coordinator, Math and Science

Newly appointed assistant principals for 2015-16 school year:

• Laura Akers, Little River ES
• Emily Weber, Bascomb ES
• Renee Bernhardt, Teasley MS
• John Carter, Indian Knoll ES
• Dr. Jessica Porter, Holly Springs ES
• Valerie Lowery, Canton ES
• Matthew Swanson, Freedom MS
• Jessica Whitley, Creekview HS
• Dr. Mark Merges, Sequoyah HS
• Neil Howel, Cherokee HS

Board members also: recognized the district and region Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl winners; recognized the district Georgia Association of Educators Spelling Bee winners; recognized the district’s Media Specialists of the Year; recognized Counselors of the Year; recognized Sandi Adams as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert; recognized Holly Springs ES STEM Academy as the first school in the nation to become 100 percent Microsoft Innovative Educator certified; recognized Creekview HS JROTC Cadet Roxana Maranon for Heroism; recognized state and region champions; approved monthly financial reports; approved out-of-state professional development; approved out-of-state and overnight student field trips; approved the monthly update on capital outlay projects; approved monthly personnel recommendations; and approved special lease agreements.

Photo credit: Patch file