Board Business Briefs: School Board Adopts Budget, Adjusts School Calendars

The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2026, unanimously approved a budget for next school year that invests more funds closer to the classroom than ever before and without increasing the historic low millage rate.

During the meeting, the School Board also adjusted school calendars for the next two school years to identify early release days for parent-teacher conferences in response to feedback from teachers and parents for more time dedicated to communication about student academic progress.

The School Board adopted new policies and policy updates to increase student academic ownership through adjustments in grading, promotion and retention practices, the role of student learning devices in classrooms, and how social media may be used in schools; and appointed new school and district leaders for next school year.

The meeting began with a work session at 5:30 p.m. followed by the regular business meeting at 7 p.m.  Both were livestreamed via YouTube, and the videos are archived on the CCSD website in the Board of Education area online here.

BUDGET APPROVAL

The unanimously approved budget for next school year, which is online here, achieved School Board members’ priorities to advance competitive compensation for employees, while keeping the millage rate at the current historically low level and preserving low class sizes.

The approved compensation improvements for next school year include: salary longevity “step” salary increases and 3% raises for eligible full-time and part-time employees; aligning PreK teachers’ salary scale to K-12 teachers; and increasing hourly rates for all bus drivers, paraprofessionals serving in self-contained classrooms, and paraprofessional substitutes.

Increased safety and security investments include hiring five campus crossing guards to complement those provided by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, adding four more school custodians to the team, and improving cybersecurity.  The budget invests in more laptop computers to launch a new model of assigning learning devices to students, beginning next school year with all middle schools. 

The cuts to central office funds to increase school-based budgets, as approved last school year, will remain in place to further support classroom consumable instructional materials and supplies, reducing teacher out-of-pocket expenses and class fees to parents.

SCHOOL CALENDAR ADJUSTMENTS

The School Board on Thursday unanimously approved changes to the school calendars for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years in response to feedback from teachers and parents to provide designated time for parent-teacher conferences about student academic progress.  The updated calendars are online here.

The changes align with the School Board’s Core Belief that “Employees are trusted and supported as professionals and provided with resources to elevate student outcomes.”  The addition of early release days for parent-teacher conferences is designed to strengthen the partnership between home and school while providing teachers with valuable time for planning and preparation.

For the 2026-27 school year, following the previously announced Oct. 12 Student Holiday and Teacher Planning Day, the week of Oct. 13-16 will be early release days for elementary schools to allow for parent-teacher conferences.  For the 2027-28 school year, the early release days for elementary schools will be Oct. 12-15.

For the 2026-27 school year, Jan. 28 and 29 will be early release days for all grade levels – elementary, middle and high schools – to allow for parent-teacher conferences.  For the 2027-28 school year, the early release days for all grade levels will be Jan. 27-28.

Dismissal times and After School Program plans for early release days will be established and communicated in advance.

Additionally, the 2027-28 February Break (Feb. 21-25) was adjusted to align with President’s Day.

“I hope our teachers are happy about this -- it came right from the third-party survey,” Board member Erin Ragsdale said, referring to the recent districtwide anonymous personnel survey approved by the Board.  “I appreciate our teachers doing the survey so we could take action.”

2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR OUTLOOK

The School Board on Thursday heard a second report on the 2026-27 School Year Outlook, which is online here, providing further detail on initiatives announced earlier this year.

These initiatives include expanding technology access in classrooms using a new model of assigning devices to students, beginning next school year with all middle schools. 

Middle School 1:1 Learning Devices

A new School Board Policy adopted Thursday, IFB - Instructional Role of Student Learning Devices, establishes a commitment to providing teachers with technology resources and a vision for how this technology can be leveraged as a component of the district’s Cohesive System of Teaching and Learning in CCSD.  The policy, which is online here, incorporates feedback from teachers, leaders, parents, and families and is designed to support the teacher as the instructional expert.

As part of the new assigned laptop model beginning in middle schools next school year, students no longer will be permitted to bring their own laptop to school.  Additionally, the state law will go into effect for next school year eliminating all middle school student use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices during the school day and at school activities – mirroring the rules already in effect for elementary school students.

Middle school students will have access to their assigned laptop during the school day, and there will be an option to check out the laptop for use at home.

“This is not a replacement of teachers,” Board member Erin Ragsdale said of the laptops, noting that teachers, in the districtwide third-party anonymous personnel survey, noted the need for more classroom technology as “their No. 1 issue.”  “This is a tool to be used in classrooms.  We’re not going to put kids in front of screens all day.”

Grading and Placement (Promotion/Retention)

In response to the need expressed by teachers and parents for clarity about grades and how schools communicate with families and support students when academic concerns are noted, the School Board adopted a new policy, IHA - Grading Systems, and updated policy, IHE - Promotion and Retention.

The new policy, IHA - Grading Systems, which is online here, changes the Grade 3 standards-based report card, starting next school year, to the numerical and letter grading system in use for Grades 4-12; removes course extension after a grade is posted and provides tighter guardrails around credit recovery opportunities for high school courses; and re-establishes summer school for middle school and high school, as well as other extended learning opportunities. 

At the high school level, these adjustments include: assigned work submitted within unit of study; phased sunset of course extension, for 2026-27: Grade of 65-69 and fewer than 10 unexcused days; defined credit recovery: Grade of 55-69 and fewer than 10 unexcused days; defined course re-enrollment: required if score below 55 and/or absent 10 or more unexcused days; and receive printed report cards and unofficial transcripts each semester.

At the middle school level, these adjustments include: assigned work submitted within unit of study; introduction of course recovery: eligible if score 55-69 and absent fewer than 10 unexcused days; introduction of course re-enrollment/summer school: required if score below 55 and/or absent 10 or more unexcused days; introduction of promotion criteria; and receive printed report cards quarterly.

At the elementary school level, these adjustments include: assigned work submitted within unit of study; introduction of promotion criteria; introduction of standard communication for those at-risk of retention; and receive printed report cards quarterly.

The updates to IHE - Promotion and Retention, which is online here, focus on early identification of students who display academic concerns, based on a variety of data points, and clear supports for their success.  It introduces an academic notification process for students not making grade-level progress towards standards mastery and establishes extended learning opportunities for students demonstrating gaps in learning.  The new conference days in October (elementary school only) and January (all grades), included in the updated school calendars approved by the School Board Thursday, will provide time for teachers to meet with parents to inform them of their child’s academic performance and if interventions are needed to assist in their learning progress.

“We’re going back to practices that have worked in the past,” Board member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison said of printed report cards and parent-teacher conferences.  She thanked the Board for supporting a stronger promotion and retention policy, noting that the more exposure students have meeting expectations in school, the more successful they will be in the workplace.  “These are really positive steps that parents have asked us for … and it’s responsive to parents and teachers.”

Other initiatives for next school year focused on honoring student learning include: adopting a balanced assessment system of screeners, formative assessments, summative assessments, and standardized assessments, and providing teachers with a new assessment platform offering standards-aligned questions they can use to develop quizzes and tests; a teacher-built kindergarten through second-grade reading skills progression and diagnostic plan; and the introduction of reading intervention plans as part of annual school improvement plans.

Board Chair Janet Read Welch spoke to work by Board members and district staff to together draft the new policies and policy updates, work that, in the past, was not as collaborative.

“We worked on this as a team,” she said.  “This is going to add clarity.”

 Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct governs students’ actions on school campuses, on school buses and while attending school-sponsored activities and events and sets clear schoolwide and classroom expectations, consistent behavior practices, and defined consequences for disruptive and disrespectful behavior.  Updates are recommended annually by the Superintendent based on insights shared by stakeholders – students, families, employees, community members – and to ensure compliance with state and federal law.  The updated Code of Conduct for next school year is online here.

Cell Phones: This year’s updates include implementing the state law limiting middle school students’ use of cell phones, which enacts the same expectations already in place for elementary schools.  Students in Grades K-8 will continue to be permitted to have personal electronic devices, including cell phones, smart devices, or earbuds, with them at school, but the devices must be in silent mode and stored out of sight during the school day from bell to bell, and at school-sponsored events. 

Social Media: This year’s updates include implementing the state law limiting students’ use of social media platforms using computers, communication services and/or internet access that is operated, owned, leased, or made available to students by the school district.  Students will be permitted to access social media only when directed by and under the supervision of school staff for accessing and using age-appropriate educational resources during classes or school activities.  The School Board on Thursday also adopted an update to policy IFBG - Internet Acceptable Use, which is online here, to address this law.  “We’re taking this very seriously,” Board Chair Janet Read Welch said.

Cherokee High School Campus

The School Board on Thursday also heard an update on final preparations to open the new Cherokee High School replacement campus for next school year as well as an update on plans for the current Cherokee High School campus. 

The School Board in March voted to renovate the current CHS North building to reopen it in August 2028 as Canton Elementary School, and to appraise the main CHS campus and advertise for sale, with proceeds to support career readiness and other educational programs at high schools districtwide.  The update, which is online here, provided the Board with timelines for both projects.

The timeline for reopening Canton ES maps out steps including the design phase for the renovations and modifications, the Education SPLOST referendum, selection of a general contractor, attendance area focus group process, naming of a new principal, employee transfer request process, ribbon cutting and open house, and staff occupancy prior to the first day of school in August 2028.

The timeline for the sale of the main CHS campus includes updating the appraisal, producing a new survey, inventorying assets not relocated to the new replacement campus, surplusing those unneeded assets by auction, advertising the property sale, and completing the sale process.

As part of the update on the opening of the new replacement campus, Chief Support Services Officer Trey Moores shared that discussion is ongoing with the City of Canton to prepare for traffic flow.

Chair Read Welch and Board Vice Chair Patsy Jordan have met with the Canton city manager to discuss the traffic flow, and Chair Read Welch said Thursday she will invite him to speak to the Board at its May work session about the City’s plans.

At the new replacement campus, work is underway on “punch list” interior work, landscaping, technology installation, and safety and security item installation.  Administrative staff will begin relocation in June, with remaining staff members transferring in July.  Athletics relocation will take place in June and July.

CREDIT RATINGS

The School Board on Thursday also heard very positive financial news about its successful issuance of bonds for voter-approved Education SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) capital outlay projects, and its retention of outstanding credit ratings.

The Board in December authorized staff to issue as much as $130 million in bonds to fund new capital outlay projects, such as school construction and renovations, and to refund past bonds.  On Thursday, the Board heard a report on the bond sale and approved a related resolution and purchase agreement.

Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Owen reported the district received a very favorable all-in true interest cost of 3.15% based on its outstanding credit ratings and, through the sale, saved $4.6 million in future interest payments by refunding the 2018 bonds. 

The report included the announcement that the school district once again earned top recognition from the world’s leading credit rating agencies. Both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s affirmed the school district’s historic-high credit ratings — Aa1 and AA — with Stable outlooks, recognizing CCSD’s exceptional financial management practices.  Moody’s ranking places CCSD among the top 3% of school districts nationwide for the strongest credit ratings.

This achievement reaffirms the School Board’s long-standing commitment to strong, responsible financial governance that directly benefits students, staff, and community.

The rating reports highlight the district’s consistent success in maintaining balanced operations and strong reserves for more than a decade, achieved through thoughtful, conservative budget development and sound management.  Analysts cited the district’s solid financial foundation and noted that continued economic growth in the community could further strengthen CCSD’s already impressive position in the years ahead.  The ratings could decline if long-term liabilities significantly increase and/or reserves decline.

“It’s fabulous to hear this news,” Board member Kelly Poole said, noting that the stewardship of the Board and the district’s financial management team continues to save taxpayers’ money through strong credit ratings and excellent interest rates.

Board member Erin Ragsdale encouraged community members to see the district’s “transparency, governance and financial conservativeness” for themselves by reviewing the numerous financial records, current and past, posted on the district’s website online here.

NEW LEADERS

As part of its approval of the monthly human resources employment recommendations, the School Board also appointed new school and district leaders for next school year.

Kerri Schmitt, a 22-year educator currently serving as an assistant principal at Etowah High School, will serve next school year as principal of Holly Springs ES STEM Academy.  She previously served as an assistant principal at Knox ES STEM Academy and for 15 years as an award-winning teacher and regionally honored soccer coach at Creekview HS.

Chris Wallace, a 20-year educator who currently serves as the school district’s coordinator for career, technical and agricultural education (CTAE), will serve next school year as the district’s supervisor for student athletics and activities.

Jennifer Meschi, who has 21 years of experience including most recently serving as a technology contractor, will begin serving next month as supervisor for business information systems.

Eleven assistant principal appointments also were approved for next school year:

• Lauren Abrams, a teacher on special assignment for Holly Springs ES STEM Academy, will serve there as an assistant principal;
• Kimberly Boehman, an assistant principal at Cherokee HS, will serve in the same role at Etowah HS;
• Brandi Clotfelter, a teacher on special assignment for Liberty ES, will serve there as an assistant principal;
• Lisa Darrow, instructional lead strategist at Woodstock MS, will serve as an assistant principal for Arnold Mill ES;
• Gena Ergle, an assistant principal at Liberty ES, will serve in the same role at Free Home ES;
• Jessica Gillespie, a teacher on special assignment at Woodstock MS, will serve there as an assistant principal;
• Mollie Lord, instructional lead strategist for Avery ES, will serve as an assistant principal for Johnston ES;
• Marcus Medina, an assistant principal for Gwinnett County Public Schools, will serve as an assistant principal for Etowah HS;
• Ashley Polito, principal at Holly Springs ES STEM Academy, will serve as an assistant principal for Clark Creek ES STEM Academy;
• Dr. Beth Watkins, an assistant principal for E.T. Booth MS, will serve in the same role for Cherokee HS; and,
• Carlie Young, instructional lead strategist for E.T. Booth MS, will serve there as an assistant principal.

Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis introduced each new leader and then shared remarks of appreciation for Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Owen, who recently announced he will retire this fall after a 40-year career in education. 

Mr. Owen joined CCSD 25 years ago, and for the last 12 years has served as CFO, earning a statewide reputation as an outstanding financial management professional renowned for budget development, management and forecasting and award-winning financial reporting and transparency.  Audience members also rose to give Mr. Owen a standing ovation.

The School Board also:

• Heard School Board member remarks from Vice Chair Patsy Jordan, who recognized CCSD’s high school theatre and directors and encouraged everyone to attend their shows.  Chair Janet Read Welch recognized Knox ES STEM Academy and its PTA for its newly opened outdoor classroom.  
• Heard Student Delegate remarks from Olivia Kennison of River Ridge High School.  Each Delegate takes a turn at the dais, on a rotating basis, and shares remarks on behalf of the group, adding an opportunity for student insight at every Board meeting.  “As a student, I am very proud of our safety and security infrastructure,” she said, reporting on the Delegates’ work session that afternoon focusing on the district’s Safety & Security division.  “We focus on three pillars: prevention, preparedness and response.”  The Delegates learned about the division’s work to keep students and staff safe. The Delegates also were asked to share feedback and suggested installing vaping sensors in schools and funding additional school police officers.
• Heard the monthly financial report, which is online here;
• Heard the monthly capital outlay report, which is online here.  All projects, including construction of the new replacement Cherokee HS campus and improvements to River Ridge, Sequoyah, and Woodstock High School campuses, are on schedule and within budget;
• Heard the monthly strategic plan development report, which is online here.  The Elevate 2032 long-range strategic plan will be developed for School Board adoption using stakeholder feedback gathered through focus groups meetings, a community forum, and an online survey.  Community engagement is continuing through the end of April, with more than 3,600 stakeholders participating so far.  The online survey, which is online here, is open through 5 p.m. May 1 for community participation.  A draft strategic plan will be presented in June for the School Board’s consideration for adoption in July;
• Heard a legislative update, which is online here.  During the Georgia General Assembly’s recently concluded session, numerous education related bills passed and now are awaiting the Governor’s action.  These include bills that would: limit high school students’ use of cell phones in schools beginning in the 2027-28 school year; increase funding for early literacy education; and cap growth in residential property assessments for education funding.  Board member Kelly Poole said she is very concerned about the cap’s impact on the district’s ability to fund operations;
• Recognized Governor’s Honors Program finalists.  Learn more here;
• Recognized Georgia K-5 Science Fair winners.  Learn more here;
• Recognized Georgia Science and Engineering Fair winners.  Learn more here;
• Recognized Georgia Student Technology Competition champions.  Learn more here;
• Recognized Georgia High School Association state and region Literary champions.  Learn more here;
• Recognized CCSD Reading Bowl and State TomeCon winners.  Learn more here;
• Recognized Middle School Academic Bowl Team champions.  Learn more here;
• Recognized CCSD and Region Spelling Bee winners.  Learn more here;
• Recognized Counselor of the Year and Innovation Zone winners.  Learn more here;

• Recognized 2026 Pine Bluff Landfill/WM Scholarship recipient.  Learn more here;
• Approved the renewal of an existing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ easement at Little River ES; and,
• Approved the renewal of the Partnership Agreement with The Children’s Haven.