Board Business Briefs: School Board Reviews Quarterly Progress, Approves Naming New Cherokee High Athletic Facilities

The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, reviewed progress on the district’s Key Priorities, which drive CCSD’s work as an organization, and approved the stadium and athletic complex naming for the new replacement Cherokee High School.

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.

KEY PRIORITIES UPDATE

The school district’s 2025-26 Key Priorities are a continuation of the successful plan implemented last school year focused on four areas for district overall improvement.

Informed by community insights and financial, operational and student performance reports, the Key Priorities drive CCSD’s work as an organization, with regular progress reports shared at School Board meetings by Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis.

The four Key Priorities are to Elevate the Excellence in: academics and achievement for all students; in effective School Board-Superintendent Governance; in the district’s coordination and alignment of goals, systems, and processes; and by embracing a pervasive high-quality school environment defined by high standards, effective supports, and consistent practices.

Superintendent Davis, during Thursday’s work session, shared the second quarterly progress report of the 2025-26 school year, which is online here.  The report details the status of specific Action Steps that she set in the spring for each Key Priority. 

Highlights noted in the new report include the successful introduction of tailored school support focused on progress toward School Board student achievement goals, and more consistent use of reading and math screeners to monitor student performance progress and adjust instructional practices.

Numerous other projects are underway and making progress including review of the School Board’s current student promotion, retention, and grading policy and completion of the new replacement Cherokee High School campus, set to open in August.    

STUDENT PERFORMANCE CELEBRATION

The School Board and Superintendent Davis, during the recognition portion of the meeting, celebrated the district’s highest-ever College and Career Ready Performance Index single scores and extraordinary performance by individual schools as measured by the state’s accountability system. 

Our School Board has defined accountability for our district as having clear goals for student learning … when we meet those goals, we celebrate, and when we fall short of meeting those goals, we adjust our practices to improve outcomes for students. 

These single scores encompass performance across all measured CCRPI categories: Content Mastery, Progress, Closing the Gap, and Readiness, which are calculated using Georgia Milestones Assessment System test scores, student course enrollment, and -- for high schools -- graduation rates. 

This success is a direct reflection of the outstanding leadership of principals, who accepted recognition banners on behalf of their school, and the incredible dedication of teachers and support staff across CCSD.  The achievement is evidence that students are learning more, growing more, and achieving more in CCSD classrooms than they can anywhere else.

Congratulations to Top Performers – 90 and Above overall score:

Creekview High School

Etowah High School

Hickory Flat Elementary School

Macedonia Elementary School

River Ridge High School

Congratulations to Merit Performers – 85 and Above overall score:

Arnold Mill Elementary School

Clayton Elementary School

Dean Rusk Middle School

Holly Springs Elementary School STEM Academy

Knox Elementary School STEM Academy

Little River Elementary School

Mill Creek Middle School

Mountain Road Elementary School

Sequoyah High School

Sixes Elementary School

Woodstock Middle School

Woodstock High School

Congratulations to Momentum in Achievement winners for Double-Digit Growth in Overall Score:

Cherokee High School

Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy

i-Grad Virtual Academy

Sixes Elementary School

Woodstock Middle School

CHEROKEE HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE

The School Board on Thursday unanimously approved the recommendation of Cherokee High School Principal Andy Hall and a community committee for the naming of the football field, stadium, and athletic complex naming for the new replacement Cherokee High School, pursuant to Policy FDC, Naming New Facilities.

The committee, made up of current students, parents, teachers, and community members, recommended naming the new football field for the late Tommy Baker, beloved Cherokee High School student for whom the existing field at Cherokee HS has been named since 1958; naming the stadium, Warrior Stadium; and naming the gymnasium, baseball/softball complex, and practice field for noted alumnus and generous philanthropist Ken White, class of 1959.

Special guests at the meeting included family of the late Tommy Baker; leaders of the Cherokee County Educational Foundation, which is a fiscal agent of the Mr. White’s philanthropy; Cherokee High School Principal Andy Hall and Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Jeremy Adams; and members of the school’s community committee. 

School Board member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison, an alumna and past principal of Cherokee High School, praised Principal Hall, his leadership team, and the committee for the thoughtfulness of their work to continue traditions while also embracing new ideas.

“They’ve been so careful to preserve the history we have and to make sure we move forward on elevated levels -- literally elevated levels,” she said, as a nod to the prominent site of the new replacement campus.

Construction of the new replacement campus funded by the voter-approved Education SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) is within budget and on schedule to open in August.  The new school will house all current students, with room for additional enrollment growth.

During the board’s work session, Chief of Staff Mike McGowan shared a report, which is online here, on the work to transition the school to its new campus.  This has included the creation of a school-based committee and organizing numerous activities designed to engage the community in the transition, including special alumni celebrations and school tours.

He also reported on the work to prepare recommendations by next summer to the School Board for potential future uses of the current campus, both the main building and Cherokee North that formerly was used for an elementary school.  Superintendent Davis has collected feedback through focus groups from more than 2,800 stakeholders, and staff is collecting data including district student enrollment projections, capacity of all CCSD schools, county population growth, a renovation evaluation and cost analysis, and feasibility studies for various potential uses.

School Board member Kelly Poole said she had been asked whether, if the board considers selling the campus, they must sell the entire campus together or they could sell parts.  Mr. McGowan shared that the Board would have all options at their consideration, following a feasibility study.

BUDGET DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

The School Board on Thursday heard a report on the outlook for revenue and expenditures for next school year (FY ’27) as part of its budget development process.

The outlook for next year’s budget forecasts decreases in federal and state funding, with expenditures to increase for the district’s portion of Teacher Retirement System costs.

The district anticipates 10% cuts, due to a student enrollment decrease, in federal Title I funding which supports schools with higher percentages of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch; and potential cuts to federal funds for staff development (Title II), English Learner resources (Title III), and student supports (Title IV).  The district confirmed that federal special education funding (Title VI) is projected to remain the same.

The district expects a more significant loss in state funding, totaling $6.3 million, due to an enrollment decrease of 1,014 students. 

The local property tax digest is projected to grow by 4%, which would generate an estimated growth of $11.9 million for the district.  Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Owen in his report noted local tax revenue will continue to be affected by the newly expanded senior tax exemption for school property taxes.  The school board supported the expansion, which beginning this year removed the cap limiting the value of property that seniors 62 and older could exempt from taxes.  The expansion was projected to lead to a $14 million savings to seniors and decrease in local revenue for the district, but the actual impact has been realized at just over $20 annually.    

The local property tax digest is projected to grow enough to offset federal and state revenue declines as well as increases in TRS contributions. While this level of growth does not fully cover the annual step salary increases for employees—estimated at $5.87 million—it provides a strong foundation for planning. As part of the budget development process, staff will explore opportunities to streamline other expenses and seek new revenue sources, including grants, with the goal of balancing the budget and continuing to support competitive compensation for teachers and support staff.

Last year, the School Board advanced its budget adoption timeline to better align with the preparations needed for the upcoming school year, including hiring new teachers and publishing salary scales that support strong recruitment and retention.

Board members have already begun the process by outlining their budget priorities. Following Thursday’s report, the board will receive additional budget development updates at the January and February meetings. The Superintendent’s recommended tentative budget and millage rate will be presented in March, with public millage rate hearings scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on April 2 and 16 and at 6:30 p.m. on April 16. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the final budget and millage rate at its April 23 meeting.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

The School Board on Thursday took action to show its support for stabilizing property tax bills for local homeowners.

The board unanimously approved a resolution to proactively urge Cherokee County’s state legislative delegation to support local legislation stabilizing tax digest growth by establishing a cap to annual residential property value growth based on historical, 30-year tax digest data.

This measure would shield homeowners from unpredictable property valuation growth, while at the same time ensuring the school district continues serving students with a quality education and competitively compensating teachers and staff. 

Superintendent Davis described the resolution as “another step in the series of tax relief efforts the board has proactively pursued,” noting the recent 1.5 mill rollback of the local school property tax rate and the expansion of the senior tax exemption to remove the property tax value cap, saving taxpayers a combined $53 million annually and reducing district revenues the same.

In another legislative matter, the board heard an update during its work session on House Bill 845. 

Since April, the district has been anticipating guidance from the Cherokee County state legislative delegation regarding the qualified companies or individuals who could conduct the legislatively required external financial audit, as well as the expected timeline. Last month the district received the name of an entity identified by the delegation, and the process is now moving forward.

The School Board chair and vice chair met with the delegation’s liaison for this bill earlier this month, and Superintendent Davis and staff met with the delegation’s selected auditor to discuss scope of work and cost estimates.  The auditor is now developing a scope of work and estimated cost as aligned with the language of the law.  Action to appoint the auditor is expected as early as the January School Board meeting.

“Patsy Jordan and I met with (State Rep.) Jordan Ridley and it was a very good meeting,” said Chair Janet Read Welch.  “I feel like we have the information we need to determine our next steps.”

NEW LEADERS

As part of its approval of the monthly human resources employment recommendations, the School Board on Thursday appointed new district staff and a new assistant principal for Etowah High School.

Tyler Gwynn, a 26-year educator who currently serves as a district Human Resources executive director for strategic talent management, was appointed to fill the vacancy created by the retirement later this month of Chief of Staff Mike McGowan.  Mr. Gwynn joined CCSD in 2022 after working as a teacher and district HR leader for the Cobb County School District and Marietta City Schools.

Merry Hofmeister, a 21-year educator who currently serves as an instructional technology specialist, was appointed supervisor of instructional technology services to fill the vacancy created by a recent promotion.  A multi-year Microsoft Innovative Educator Fellow, Ms. Hofmeister has served her entire career with CCSD.

Victoria Brown, a 14-year educator and CCSD graduate who currently serves as Etowah’s graduation coach and head softball coach, will advance to an assistant principal role there to fill the vacancy created by the retirement next month of Dr. Curt Ashley.  Ms. Brown also serves on the Superintendent’s inaugural Teacher Advisory Council. 

The School Board also:

·         Heard a report from School Board members on the board’s recent presentation at the Georgia School Boards Association Annual Conference.  The presentation, to fellow school board members and superintendents at the statewide conference, focused on the board’s work over the past year to build a governance model connecting the boardroom to the classroom to the student and how this incredible collaboration resulted in exceptional growth in student achievement.  School Board member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison praised the board’s performance, noting that “Cherokee is the place everyone is watching right now” for best governance practices to replicate.  School Board Vice Chair Patsy Jordan spoke to the board’s success in strengthening as a team.  “When we sit at the board table, we become a team,” she said.  “It doesn’t mean we always agree … but we are anchored to the same purpose: doing what’s right for students.”; 

·         Student Delegate Jacob Duncan of Cherokee High School shared the Student Delegate remarks.  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. Jacob reflected on what he and his fellow Delegates learned from their Delegate work session, which this month featured the Academics & Accountability team.  Delegates learned about its role in students’ academic success and growth, and the students then shared their insights on areas for improvement.  “Tonight, we, as Delegates, were able to share our feedback on the district’s improvement plan,” Jacob said. “This allowed us to have an impact on the district’s future in our final year.”

·         Heard the monthly financial report for November, 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;

·         Approved a bond resolution authorizing the sale of up to $130 million in bonds for voter-approved Education SPLOST projects, a portion of which will refinance the 2018 Series bonds at a savings of over $4 million.

·         Approved awarding the proposal for a third-party personnel survey to Hanover Research to gather employee insights in alignment with the board’s Core Belief that “Employees are trusted and supported as professionals and provided with resources to elevate student outcomes.”  School Board Vice Chair Patsy Jordan said she believes the survey will “give everyone a voice” and help the board in its work to improve the school district.  School Board member Chance Beam shared he hoped the survey work could be completed on an expedited timeframe to provide the board with these insights as soon possible;

·         Recognized National, State JROTC Raiders Champions from Etowah HS and Cherokee HS.  Learn more here;

·         Recognized Bailey St. Vrain of Sequoyah HS for her All-State Theatre selection.  Learn more here;

·         Recognized CCSD’s five REACH Georgia Scholar Winners.  Learn more here;

·         Recognized CCSD’s Top 10 Finalists for Georgia FLEX (Foundational Leadership and Entrepreneurial Experience).  Learn more here;

·         Recognized GHSA State, Region Champions: Sequoyah HS, Region 6-5A Champions – One Act Play, and individual region and state honors for students.  Learn more here;

·         Recognized CCSD Partner: EF2 Realty on reaching the milestone achievement of donating $300,000 to schools.  Learn more here; and,

·         Heard remarks of appreciation from School Board members and Superintendent Davis for Chief of Staff Mike McGowan, who is retiring this month after 29 years of service to the school district.  Audience members also rose to give Mr. McGowan a standing ovation.