Cherokee County Schools Ranked Not 'Critically Overcrowded'

WOODSTOCK-TOWNE LAKE, GA - From the Cherokee County School District: The 2017-18 Cherokee County Inventory of School Housing (CCISH) shows the impact of returning enrollment growth and indicates several areas where additional classroom space will soon be needed.

Additionally, 2017-18 marks the fifth consecutive year during which none of the School District’s schools are considered “critically overcrowded,” reflecting long-standing successful management practices and School Board policies governing student enrollment growth forecasts and school construction
project planning.

The attached chart uses this school year’s 20-day enrollment count (Aug. 28, 2017) to measure the percentage of overcrowding. School Board Policy defines “critically overcrowded” as when a school exceeds 140% of its enrollment capacity and meets other criteria, including use of all existing portable classrooms. Pursuant to the School Board’s Critical Overcrowding Policy (FDBD), the impact of actual student enrollment is evaluated annually after the 20th day of classes, which is when attendance traditionally peaks, to determine critically overcrowded schools and what, if any, action is needed.

Relative to discussions which began as early as last year’s School Board Member Retreat, the Superintendent and senior staff are presently evaluating enrollment and capacity options specifically in the Cherokee HS attendance area based upon this report. Although Cherokee HS is yet to reach the “critically overcrowded” percentage, the Superintendent and staff recognize the importance of providing the School Board with viable options for addressing overcrowding as early as the 2018-19 school year.

The effort to eliminate “critical overcrowding” in the School District began in 2001, with an aggressive, multi-tiered Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (EdSPLOST) plan proposed by a Blue Ribbon Committee of community leaders and approved by the School Board for inclusion on a local
ballot referendum. This plan to “bond” future sales tax revenue, which has been extended three times by voters over the past 15 years, continues today with new construction, strategic land purchases, replacement school buses and emerging technologies for students and staff.

Unfortunately, if portable classrooms were not available, 11 schools would be operating at 100% or more of their capacity. It should be remembered that, while portable classrooms provide relief for classroom instruction, they do not alleviate overcrowding in media centers, cafeterias, restrooms and hallways.
The schools are: Free Home ES, Johnston ES, Liberty ES, Creekland MS, E.T. Booth MS, Mill Creek MS, Teasley MS, Woodstock MS, Cherokee HS, Creekview HS, and Woodstock HS. Of those 11 schools, four are operating at more than 120% capacity... a decrease from five reaching that level last school
year: Free Home ES - 130%, Creekland MS – 130%, Woodstock MS - 126% and Cherokee HS - 136%.

Staff continues to analyze this new data to determine recommendations that may be needed to address overcrowding in preparation for the next school year(s). Data is compiled and analyzed year-round to monitor not only enrollment growth, but also the local real estate market, development trends, local birth rates and other demographics ... in order to best determine when and where new and/or replacement school facilities are needed.

Again, it should be noted that all new and replacement school construction and renovations in the School District are funded by Education SPLOST revenue. The most recent renewal will allow for classroom additions at Woodstock MS and Mill Creek MS.

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