School Board To Sell Property to County Government Cherokee County School Board approved an intergovernmental agreement and memorandum of understanding to sell two properties to county government. This agreement allows both sides to proceed with the sale of the former Tippens ES in Canton as well as unused acreage on Hunt Road near Clark Creek ES STEM Academy.The school district discontinued full time use of the former Tippens ES building when the Tippens Educational Center program relocated to the former ACE Academy building in Holly Springs. Since then, the building has been used for community service needs such as a storage and distribution site for charitable programs. The Hunt Road property, encompassing 14.66 acres, was purchased for the construction of Clark Creek ES but wasn't used. The sites will be sold to the county for $600,000.“The county government is a longtime partner in our efforts to serve our community,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said. “As with the recently reopened historic Hickory Flat school gym, which the county government restored for community use, we anticipate that both of these sites will be put to good use for the betterment of our community.”
Woodstock Police Department Appoints New Captain Chief Robert L. Jones announced that Matt O’Keefe was appointed to the rank of captain on July 28, 2022. Capt. O’Keefe began his career with the Woodstock Police Department in 1999. During his career, he has been a patrol officer, training officer, training supervisor, bike unit commander, sergeant, and lieutenant assigned as night shift commander. Holding a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Georgia State University, Capt. O’Keefe is a graduate of Georgia Law Enforcement Command College’s Professional Management program and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, where he studied leadership and management. He is a state-certified instructor in defensive tactics, firearms, use of force, CRASE (Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event), and de-escalation. He utilizes his knowledge and experience in training new and veteran officers.
The Circuit Celebrates Fifth Anniversary The Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED), the Woodstock Office of Economic Development (WOED), Chattahoochee Technical College (Chatt Tech), and nearly 50 guests from Cherokee’s entrepreneurial community recently celebrated The Circuit Woodstock’s fifth anniversary.The Circuit is Cherokee’s first coworking space and Chatt Tech’s Student Center. Founded in collaboration with COED, WOED, and Chatt Tech, the 3,000-square-foot coworking space serves as an innovation hub for entrepreneurs, students, and the community. Also located within the space is Alma Coffee at Circle of Friends Coffee Shop at The Circuit Café. Access to local talent and resources makes The Circuit a supportive environment for business.“The Circuit offers a unique opportunity for our students to network with local startups,” said Chatt Tech Vice President of Facilities David Simmons. “Some of these businesses have even hired many of our students. It’s a great partnership and a win-win for all parties involved.” The event featured a panel discussion led by Woodstock-based entrepreneur Jonathan Chambers and six successful Circuit members, who shared how their businesses got started and scaled out of The Circuit. Panelists included Black Airplane co-founders David Leggett and Mayor Michael Caldwell, MOKO President and founder Thomas Cantley, SuiteSciens founder Shalakay Gibbs, Grow ROI founder Ben Carter, and Alma Coffee co-founder Harry Hutchins. During the presentation, Leggett reflected on being The Circuit Woodstock’s founding member and launching award-winning digital design and development agency Black Airplane saying, “This coworking space was tremendously valuable to our team – it was our launchpad. Without The Circuit, I don’t know if we would have a company today.”The Circuit offers a variety of membership levels including hot desks at $100/month, dedicated desks at $150/month, and private offices at $350/month. For more information, visit CircuitWoodstock.com.
Be Pro Be Proud Drills Down the Skilled Trade Shortage Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, an initiative that promotes 15 of Georgia’s most in-demand skilled professions through a hands-on mobile workshop and interactive website, visited 43 cities across the state of Georgia during the 2021-2022 school year.The initiative’s gamified stations allow students to see what it’s like to get behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, assemble a PVC pipe, analyze human anatomy through augmented reality, bind metal through a virtual welding experience, explore a career in linework behind the lens of an Oculus VR headset, discover robotics and automation, and test hand-eye coordination through an engaging skills challenge. As part of the tour, middle and high school students are given the opportunity to “join the movement” to be connected to training and potential employers that need new employees to replenish the diminishing workforce. Of the 13,532 students who toured, nearly 75% (10,129) joined the movement and expressed their career plans; these numbers include students from Cherokee County high schools. For the 2021-2022 school year, nearly 60% of these students said they plan to pursue a career in the skilled professions or technical training after graduation. Four new partners joined Be Pro Be Proud Georgia this year including American Home Shield, Georgia Northwestern Technical College, Select Cobb, and Wellstar Health System. Wellstar Health System is Be Pro Be Proud’s first health care partner, a field that is projected to grow more than 10% over the next decade. Since 2020, Be Pro Be Proud has hosted nearly 24,000 visitors on the mobile workshop across 43 counties and 238 tour stops. In addition to identifying the state’s top skilled professions, the initiative provides robust training resources – offering a comprehensive list of Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) training programs. Through partnerships with state agencies, local industry, and higher education entities, Be Pro Be Proud is effectively working to connect students across the state to high-demand careers, replenishing essential jobs vacated by the retiring workforce. To view upcoming tour dates, visit BeProBeProudGa.org.
Sen. John Albers Appointed Co-Chair of Senate Study Committee Sen. John Albers has been appointed by Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan to serve as Co-Chair, along with Sen. Sally Harrell, of the Senate Study Committee on People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Waiver Plan Access.“Georgia has both a legal and moral obligation to ensure public entities provide community-based services to persons with disabilities, when such services are appropriate and reasonably accommodated,” said Sen. Albers. “While our state supports the New Option Waiver Program (NOW) and Comprehensive Support Waiver Program (COMP) services, many recipients are unable to take full advantage due to limited access to services. Additionally, more than 7,000 Georgians with intellectual or developmental disabilities are on a waiting list for NOW and COMP, with the list growing every year. I am excited to get to work my Co-Chair Sen. Harrell and other members of this study committee to streamline this process to ensure that those with intellectual and behavioral disabilities have prompt access to the critical services they need.”
Cherokee Deputies Receive Salary Increase The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office (CSO) has increased its pay for sworn positions by nearly 20%, making it one of the leading sheriff’s offices in the metro area for law enforcement pay. The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners approved a 7% increase plus a flat $5,000 to POST-certified positions, making the salary scales more competitive in an increasingly competitive market. The starting salary for an uncertified deputy is $50,243 with excellent benefits, pension with a county match, paid uniforms and equipment, and programs for incentive pay.“The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office is currently competing with every law enforcement agency in the state for qualified deputies. The commissioners’ decision to approve a 7% COLA and $5,000 increase in pay for deputies will not only help us attract new applicants to fill our 63 vacancies, it will also help us retain current deputies,” said Sheriff Frank Reynolds. This is the third year in a row the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has acted to increase public safety salaries to assist in recruiting quality law enforcement officers to serve and protect the community.Those interested in applying to join the CSO should visit CherokeeGa-Sheriff.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Cherokee County School District Announcements Two Elementary Schools Earn Gold Awards From Safety OrganizationBascomb ES and Clayton ES earned the Gold Partner Award from Safe Routes to School in recognition of their efforts to encourage students to walk and bike more while staying safe. The statewide nonprofit organization leads projects and activities to improve community safety, reduce traffic and air pollution around schools, and encourage children to pursue healthy and active lifestyles. It designs programs to improve the health and well-being of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk or bicycle to school. Special Education Staff of the Year Award Winners Announced Four members of CCSD’s Special Education department recently received top honors during the annual Special Education Staff of the Year Awards ceremony: CCSD Occupational Therapist/Physical Therapist of the Year Karen Reeves; CCSD School Psychologist of the Year Dr. Megan Foster; CCSD Special Education Facilitator of the Year Susie Okerblad; and CCSD Speech Language Pathologist of the Year Ashanta Posey. Each winner received an engraved plaque and a $175 Visa gift card.CCSD Wins Seven National Awards for CommunicationsThe National School Public Relations Association annually honors the best publications and electronic media produced by school districts nationwide as part of their communications efforts. The school district earned Merit Awards for Class Act, the annual magazine published at the start of the school year; the annual report, “CCSD Evidence of Success − 10 Amazing Things We've Done in 2021”; the monthly CCSD Connections parent newsletter; and “District Delegate,” the monthly newsletter for CCSD employees. CCSD won Honorable Mention awards for “Financial Facts,” the annual report of budget highlights; “First Day Facts,” the annual report of back-to-school highlights; and for its annual Teacher of the Year school winner profiles.The Office of Communications is made up of Chief Communications Officer Barbara P. Jacoby, Supervisor Carrie McGowan, Coordinator Penny Dempsey, and Administrative Assistant Anne Reed.Woodstock HS Grad Named Gatorade Player of the Year Will Sumner, who will be attending the University of Georgia, was named the 2021-22 Gatorade Georgia Boys Track & Field Player of the Year. He now advances to Gatorade’s national competition. The award recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also “high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field.” Among Sumner’s honors have been winning the 400-meter dash at Georgia’s Class 7A state meet with a personal best time of 45.78, setting a new state record in the event, and leading Woodstock’s team to win the 4x800 meter relay and fourth place overall. Winner of the 400 at the Brooks PR Invitational, Sumner’s personal best time in the 800-meter event this spring was No. 2 in the nation, No. 3 in U.S. prep history, and only 0.08 seconds behind the national record. Beyond his amazing athletic successes, he also graduated with a 3.78 GPA.Woodstock HS Earns National Award for Charitable SpiritWoodstock HS has earned the Spirit of St. Jude Award from Varsity Brands in recognition of its support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is a major recipient of the company’s philanthropy. The Spirit of St. Jude award, named for the research hospital focused on children’s cancer and other life-threatening pediatric diseases, honors schools and school districts that engage the majority of their students in fundraising for the charity. Woodstock HS raises funds for the hospital through many activities, including the annual cross-town rivalry football game versus Etowah HS that both schools use as a St. Jude fundraiser. Last school year’s game raised $12,200 for St. Jude. CCSD schools have raised funds for St. Jude for the last six years, with $67,000 donated last school year for a total of more than $400,000 given since 2016.As part of its prize from Varsity Brands, Woodstock HS will receive a $3,000 award, which the school announced it would donate back to St. Jude.Etowah HS JROTC Instructor Wins National HonorAir Force Junior ROTC Lt. Col. (Ret.) Stephen Bergey has been named the 2022 Overall AFJROTC Instructor of the Year. He was selected as the best out of more than 1,900 AFJROTC instructors worldwide. This honor follows several prestigious recognitions recently earned by Etowah HS’s AFJROTC program. Lt. Col. Bergey is lead instructor for the program, which is supported by fellow instructor Technical Sgt. (Ret.) Ciarra Malto.Etowah HS Grad Earns Local ScholarshipClass of 2022’s Ella Daugherty, who will be attending the University of Georgia, is the winner of the 2022 East West Bank $2,500 Scholarship. A committee of retired educators selected Daugherty as the winner from a pool of outstanding applicants. During her time at Etowah, Daugherty served in many leadership roles including as president of National Honors Society, president of Key Club, and as a member of the Beta Club leadership team, Student Government, National English Honors Society, and Mu Alpha Theta math honors society. Cherokee HS Senior Wins Maritza Mott ScholarshipAdriana Chavez-Mejia earned the $1,000 memorial scholarship, which is open to one graduating senior and awarded based on an application, essay questions, and references. The first in her family to attend college, Chavez-Mejia plans to study digital marketing at the University of North Georgia to pursue a career as a marketing manager. Adriana served as manager for Cherokee HS boys’ lacrosse team, worked at a local daycare, and has volunteered at her church’s food pantry. Hasty ES Teacher Earns International Art Education HonorLisa Spence, the art teacher for Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy, has been named a Crayola Creativity Ambassador by the National Art Education Association and Crayola Education. Only 75 teachers worldwide were selected for the recognition, which provides honorees with professional learning, resources, and support to cultivate creativity in their classrooms, schools, and communities. Selection was based on educators’ resumes and responses to questions about building creative capacity through teaching and leadership.Sequoyah HS Grad Earns National Scholarship Class of 2022’s Xander Riddle, who will be attending the University of Georgia, won a $10,000 Exceptional Youth Scholarship from the Foundation for Global Sports Development, which is awarded to only 10 students nationally each year. In addition to demonstrating their dedication to community service, volunteering, and mentoring, honorees also must achieve an outstanding academic record and submit a personal essay. Riddle graduated in the top 5% of his class, completing more than nine AP college-credit courses and earning the AP Scholar with Honor designation, three National Latin Exam awards including a summa cum laude honor, an academic letter, and the UGA Merit Scholarship. Middle School Writing Contest Winners AnnouncedShelby Gibbs of Freedom MS won the seventh-grade division for her historical fiction children’s book, The Unseen Heroes of 9/11, and Hadley Duncan of Creekland MS won the eighth-grade division for her short story, “Cold Cost,” in the 2022 Middle School Writing Contest organized by CCSD’s Office of Curriculum & Instruction. The entries were written by students as part of the seventh-grade children’s book and eighth-grade sci-fi/dystopian rigorous curriculum design units taught in all middle school English language arts classes. The contest was designed to showcase the excellent instruction by writing teachers and the outstanding student writing taking place in CCSD schools.
Board of Commissioners Approves Advertising Lower Millage Rate The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners (BOC) approved advertising a proposed millage rate for the 2023 fiscal year, which reflects a reduction in the current millage rate to fund the county’s 2023 budget.The advertised rate for maintenance and operations is 4.995, down 4.2% from the current millage rate of 5.212 mills. One mill is equal to $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. A property’s assessed value is 40% of its fair market value. The BOC cannot approve a rate more than the one that is advertised. “Homeowners who have a homestead exemption will see at least a 4.2% decrease in the county maintenance and operation tax,” said Chairman Harry Johnston. “For that portion of the tax bill, those properties are protected from any increase in property value assessments. Their exemption amount automatically increases to keep their net taxable value the same.” As far as non-homestead properties are concerned, the county maintenance and operation tax will increase by the same percentage as its increase in property value assessment, minus the 4.2% rollback of the millage rate. For the average of all properties combined, the advertised rate represents an 8.4% increase from the state-calculated rollback rate of 4.609 mills. This will be the 11th consecutive year the BOC has not increased the millage rate. In the last eight of 10 years, the Board has reduced the millage rate.The BOC also is considering lowering the fire district millage rate to 2.984 mills, down from the current rate of 3.292 mills. The fire district budget, which is funded by the fire district millage rate, is estimated to total about $46 million and would fund 11 new positions and a 7% cost-of-living increase for fire personnel and staff.The Finance Department is recommending the parks bond millage rate be rolled back to 0.354 mills, down from 0.434 mills. The BOC does not control the school district tax rate, or any millage rates set by local city jurisdictions.
Cherokee County School District Announcements River Ridge HS Senior Wins National Merit Corporate ScholarshipAlexis “Lexie” Montfort earned the National Merit James E. Casey Scholarship. She will use the $10,000 award toward her studies at the University of Georgia, where she plans to major in biological sciences to pursue a career in pharmacology and developing medicines. She is one of only about 1,000 distinguished high school seniors nationwide to win a corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship. CCSD Celebrates YES I Can! Award WinnersThe Yes I Can Awards celebrate the achievements of children and youth with exceptionalities. The awards encourage students to seek their highest potential and increase public awareness of the abilities, aspirations, and personal qualities of those with disabilities. Each CCSD elementary school is invited to select one student to receive the Yes I Can Award based on achievement during the year in one or more of the following categories: academics, the arts, school and community, self-advocacy, and technology. This year’s honorees are Arnold Mill ES, Pius Ilukhor; Avery ES, Brody Smith; Ball Ground ES STEM Academy, Dallas Conner; Bascomb ES, Max Morris; Boston ES, Chase Evans; Carmel ES, Roland Heslep; Clark Creek ES STEM Academy, Kaylee Morrison; Clayton ES, Chloe Campbell-Frost; Free Home ES, Nathaly Flores; Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy, Miguel Ramirez Garcia; Hickory Flat ES, Irvin Zuniga-Garcia; Holly Springs ES STEM Academy, Alyssa Lowe; Indian Knoll ES, Danna Hernandez-Membreno; Johnston ES, Harrison Conley; Knox ES STEM Academy, Samantha Smerker; Liberty ES, Brianna Monson; Little River ES, Jacob Myers; Macedonia ES, Jack Smith; Mountain Road ES, Taylor Sleeman; Oak Grove ES STEAM Academy, Annalyse Ghorley; R.M. Moore ES STEM Academy, Mason Coker; Sixes ES, Lilliana Cobb; Woodstock ES, Paulo Mendoza Morales.Class of 2022 Valedictorians, Salutatorians Honored at Scholar Recognition BanquetThe special event was attended by the scholars and their parents; the teacher each scholar chose as the most influential in his/her education; CCSD’s high school principals; Superintendent Brian V. Hightower and members of his senior staff; and the school board.The students and teachers gave brief speeches, and Dr. Hightower presented each student with an iPad, $50 gift card, and a plaque. The teachers received plaques and $100 gift cards. The dinner and gifts were made possible by donations from presenting sponsors LGE Community Credit Union and the Cherokee County Educational Foundation and silver sponsor Center Cut Catering. Valedictorians and Salutatorians: Woodstock HS Valedictorian Steven Li, Creekview HS Salutatorian Justin Bolsen, Sequoyah HS Valedictorian Alaina Cothran, Cherokee HS Salutatorian Karoline Karl, Cherokee HS Valedictorian Kate Letsinger, and Etowah HS Salutatorian Natalie Calbert, Creekview HS Valedictorian Callahan Pace, Woodstock HS Salutatorian Dillon Lewis Watson, River Ridge HS Valedictorian Carson Portis, Sequoyah HS Salutatorian Wesley Lanter, River Ridge HS Salutatorian Lexie Montfort, and Etowah HS Valedictorian Lillian Derenthal. Honored Teachers Kristin Witty, John Murnan, Donell Osborne, Brian Carnes, and Jeffrey Anderson. Henry Oglesby, Jr., Josh Sailers, Eric Jones, Casey Belli, Janet Baggett, and Jay Huller.Two 2022 Graduates Win National Merit College-Awarded ScholarshipsSequoyah HS graduate Riley Hartman earned a National Merit University of Georgia Scholarship, and Creekview HS graduate Ben Webster earned a National Merit University of Alabama Scholarship.Only 15,000 of the nation’s top graduating seniors are eligible for the 3,300 National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. universities and colleges. The scholarships range from $500 to $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study. Sequoyah HS Students Place in Statewide Architecture CompetitionThree Sequoyah HS students in the Career Pathway for pre-architecture won honors in Georgia’s American Institute of Architects High School Design Competition.Class of 2022 graduate Kaia Whiteside placed second in the Advanced Level Contest and earned a $750 scholarship. Sophomore Riley Thomsen placed second in the Beginner Level Contest, and sophomore Stephen Eubanks placed third. The Sequoyah HS Career Pathways program for architecture and engineering is led by teacher Brandon Grummer.Through the competition, students are tasked with creating a solution to a specific problem using their creativity and architectural knowledge. All contest entries, which top 200 a year, are evaluated by professional architects and engineers.
2022 Outstanding First Responder Named During this year’s 47th annual celebration of EMS Week, which recognizes how paramedics and EMTs have risen to the challenge in response to the needs of patients and their communities, Cherokee County firefighter Ryan Barker was presented with the Outstanding First Responder Award. “Ryan is an outstanding individual, and I'm thrilled to see him acknowledged by his peers,” said Cherokee County EMS Chief Nate Sullivan.Regine Thigpen, Northside Hospital Cherokee Emergency Dept. manager, presents the award to Ryan Barker.