Board Buys Land For Future School Site

CANTON, GA -- The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday approved the purchase of 40 acres of land near Ball Ground to serve as a future site of multiple schools.

The board at its Jan. 19 meeting approved the purchase of the land at Flatbottom Road and S.R. 372, a tract that is adjacent to existing property belonging to the district.

The site, the system notes, will allow for the construction of multiple schools, such as a middle and high school, on one campus.

Residents should note that this move is similar to the district acquiring land on Owens Store Road near Canton, which now serves as the home of Creekland Middle and Creekview High schools in the Macedonia community.

“While construction of these schools is not in our current Five-Year Facilities Plan, we expect residential development will quickly occur as the area’s infrastructure improves, and this purchase better positions us to prepare and respond,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower said.

Board members also welcomed Chair Kyla Cromer and members Kelly Poole and Patsy Jordan back for another four-year term.

The three board members were sworn in at the start of the meeting by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood; all three were re-elected in the November general election without opposition.

Following the ceremonies, the board tapped Mike Chapman to serve as vice chair for 2017.

School Board members also unanimously approved a resolution requesting the Cherokee County legislative delegation pass local legislation increasing board chair compensation from $600 per month to $1,200 per month and increasing member compensation from $600 per month to $1,000 per month.

The increase is the first since 2002, and takes into account the 2012 state legislation that created a countywide board chair and larger board member posts.

Cherokee County Council of PTA President Kathy Strom presented a letter, on behalf of her executive board and all school PTA presidents, in support of the increase.

“Their compensation rates have not been adjusted in many years; and though they will never be appropriately compensated for the hours of travel and time they put into their roles, it certainly should not be a position that ends up costing them money to serve,” she said. “Help us make this a school district that has competitive compensation to get the best to stay here with us.”

Board members thanked the PTA for its support of their service.

“It’s not why we’re here,” board member John Harmon said of being thanked. “But every now and again, it feels good when someone stands behind you.”

The board heard the first of two readings to adopt an amended policy regarding student records, and learned of a related planned pilot project.

Dr. Hightower said he has authorized plans to pilot the installation of security cameras in several classrooms serving CCSD’s most challenged Special Education students to further enhance record-keeping, safety and security.

“We want to enhance security both for our students and our staff,” he said. “We have an outstanding reputation for special education programs, and we work collaboratively with parents and teachers to ensure these children receive the highest-quality education and care possible. This pilot is another way for us to focus on continuous improvement.”

Board members also approved the retirement of several district principals and administrators, including Ball Ground Elementary Principal Keith Ingram; Special Education Facilitator Sue Hightower; Creekland Middle School Principal Deborah Wiseman; Dean Rusk Middle School Principal Cynthia Cooper; District Psychologist John Poidevant; Assistant Superintendent of Educational Programs Susan McCarthy; Director of Educational Programs Paul Weir; Etowah High School Principal Keith Ball; and Director of Technology Tim Feltner.

The board also:

• Recognized CCSD for fourth consecutive appearance on Annual AP (Advance Placement) District Honor Roll;
• Recognized five CCSD Schools as National Common Sense Digital Citizenship Certified Schools and nine CCSD Educators as National Common Sense Digital Citizenship Certified Educators;
• Recognized Cherokee HS senior Julia Kochansky, Creekview HS senior Kelly Hart and River Ridge HS senior Anabelle Paulino as National Hispanic Scholars;
• Recognized CCSD staff for winning a record 15 Georgia School Public Relations Association (GSPRA) Publication Awards;
• Recognized CCSD bus driver Brianna McNeese for life-saving actions by swiftly and successfully administering the Heimlich maneuver to a choking student;
• Approved the renewal of the partnership agreement with the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners;
• Adopted the Georgia Education Coalition 2017 Legislative Priorities;
• Approved monthly financial and Education SPLOST reports;
• Approved out-of-state travel;
• Approved out-of-state and overnight student field trips;
• Approved the monthly capital outlay projects report;
• Approved monthly personnel recommendations; and
• Met in executive session for Dr. Hightower's annual evaluation and to discuss a real estate matter, but took no action upon returning to open session.

Photo 1: School Board member Patsy Jordan listens as Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood administers her oath for another four-year term. Holding their father’s Bible for the ceremony is her sister, Shelley.

Photo 2: School Board Chair Kyla Cromer is sworn into office on Thursday, Jan. 19, for a four-year term by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood, as her husband, Randy, and daughter, Mallory, look on.

Photo 3: School Board member Kelly Poole signs official documents after being sworn into office for a four-year term by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood.

Photo credits: Cherokee County School District