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The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023 heard an update on its search for the next superintendent of schools.  The school board earlier this month voted to contract with the Georgia School Boards Association (GSBA) for its support services to aid in the search.  Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower on Sept. 1 announced his plans to retire at the end of this school year.

Collage of photos of CCSD MIEE 23-24

Microsoft Education has recognized 40 Cherokee County School District teachers, staff and school and school district leaders as among the world’s top instructional technology experts!  One of those Microsoft Innovative Educator Experts honorees, CCSD Instructional Technology Specialist Merry Hofmeister, additionally has earned the prestigious Microsoft Innovative Educator Fellow honor for the fifth consecutive year.  

Etowah HS 2023 Support Staff of the Year

We greatly value the outstanding support staff in our schools and central office divisions, which is why we recognize them here.  Please join us in congratulating the 2023 Support Staff Employee of the Year for Etowah High School: Lisa Funderburk! #CCSDfam

Lisa serves as the instructional lead strategist. She has eight years of service with CCSD, including four in her current role.

In her principal’s words: “Lisa truly understands her role and how to use it to positively impact our teachers and students. She has built strong, positive and trusting relationships with the staff by being actively involved in team meetings and implementing ways to recognize staff and showcase the great things happening in our classrooms. This building of trust has impacted teaching and learning; she has challenged teachers to step outside their comfort zones to help our students be more successful. Lisa is the embodiment of exceptionalism among support at Etowah High School.”

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An impressive number of Cherokee County School District students have earned national AP Scholar awards!  Every September, the AP Program recognizes an elite group of high school students from across the country who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through their performance on multiple AP exams.  

image CCSD Connections newsletter September 2023

Please check out the September edition of the CCSD Connections newsletter online here for the latest CCSD news, announcements and upcoming events.  Learn more about CCSD School Nutrition’s fifth annual Parent Recipe Contest – entries are due Sept. 14.  Thanks to this month's newsletter sponsor, Credit Union of Georgia, a CCSD Partner!  #CCSDfam
 

Georgia Golden Radish Award logo

The Cherokee County School District continues to earn top state honors for serving fresh nutritious meals to students!  CCSD’s School Nutrition program, which serves 5 million meals annually, won the Golden Radish Award from the Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition Division.  

College Board National Recognition Program Scholars logo

The College Board honored 146 Cherokee County School District students through its National Recognition Programs awards!  The programs are designed by the College Board to provide recognition opportunities for high school seniors and juniors in underrepresented groups.  

cover of Class Act magazine showing teacher and students blasting off a rocket made in science class

Class Act, the award-winning magazine from the Cherokee County School District, went home with students the first week of school, giving parents a one-stop publication for back-to-school information and a peek at what's new for the coming school year. 

CCSD is hosting a job fair for bus drivers, school nutrition workers and paraprofessionals from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug.

CCSD is hosting a job fair for bus drivers, school nutrition workers and paraprofessionals from 2:30 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, at 1020 Keeter Road, Canton 30114.

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This message from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower is to our graduating Class of 2023 seniors.  We are sharing it with all of you, as they are the future of our community.  You can see each of their names posted below his message.

Meet a CCSD 2023 School Partner of the Year: Cherokee County Senior Services (Silver Roamers) of Etowah High School!

We appreciate partners' support of our schools, which is why we celebrate their service here – congratulations to Etowah HS 2023 Partner of the Year: Cherokee County Senior Services (Silver Roamers)!

Does your business or organization partner with a CCSD school? Visit our School Partnerships webpage (https://www.cherokeek12.net/partners) to learn more! #CCSDPartnersInAction #CCSDfam

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The Cherokee County School District is celebrating thirty-six graduating seniors who plan to pursue careers in skilled professions!

Be Pro Be Proud Georgia and the Cherokee Workforce Collaborative, an initiative of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development that includes CCSD, local businesses and industries and colleges, recently presented the annual Skilled Professions Signing Day event.  

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The Cherokee County School District this week honored retiring employees as legends at a new ceremony and reception.

One hundred and twenty-four retiring employees, including teachers, support staff and administrators, were celebrated at the CCSD Retiring Legends Reception and Recognition Ceremony presented Thursday evening in the school board auditorium.

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Three Cherokee County School District graduating seniors have earned the prestigious 2023 National Merit Scholarship!

Kylie Buchanan of Creekview High School, Braden Flournoy of Cherokee High School and Ty Phillips of Etowah High School today were among the top 2,500 seniors in the U.S. awarded the $2,500 scholarship by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.  

The film ‘I'm Not a Psychopath’ by Sequoyah High School students Noah Popp, Justin Clark, Lauren Turnage and Ava Roberts won

Congratulations to the winners of the fifth annual Cherokee Student Film Festival, presented by the Cherokee Office of Economic Development in partnership with CCSD Career Pathway film and video teachers!

CCSD Pathway Profile - Work Based Learning

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Work Based Learning, which is offered at all CCSD high schools.  CCSD offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

CCSD 2023 future educators

The Cherokee County School District celebrated its future educators this week!

High schools across the country held “signing day” events as part of National Teacher Appreciation Week to honor graduating seniors who plan to pursue careers in education.  All of CCSD’s high schools hosted events.

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Welcome to our new website!  We are proud to launch our new site and hope you like its new look.  While many of our most-used features are in a similar place on the new site, a few have moved. 

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The Cherokee County School Board at its meeting on Thursday, April 20, 2023 approved the appointment of a new Cherokee High School principal and improvements to the driveway and parking for Creekview High School and Creekland Middle School.

CCSD Pathway Profile - Veterinary Science and Equine Science

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Veterinary Science and Equine Science, with both programs offered at Creekview High School and the former offered at Etowah High School.  CCSD offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

Lara McDonald, Teacher of the Year

The Cherokee County School District saluted educators Thursday night at the 2023 Legacy Makers: CCSD Teachers of the Year Celebration. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower opened an envelope at the event’s conclusion to announce that Etowah High School science teacher Lara McDonald is the 2023 CCSD Teacher of the Year!

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Six Cherokee County School District high school seniors have been selected for the prestigious Georgia Scholar recognition! 

The Georgia Department of Education program honors high school seniors who exhibit excellence in their school and community life.  Honorees demonstrate dedication to academic success, participation in interscholastic events and leadership through extra-curricular activities.  

jeep drawing

Hector Vicinte of Canton was the winner of the annual Shottenkirk Jeep Wrangler raffle, which raised more than $180,000 for CCSD high school athletics and arts programs this year.  School Board member Patsy Jordan drew the winning ticket on Saturday at the dealership in Canton. High school sports and arts programs sell the raffle tickets for $5 each throughout the fall and winter, and the schools are able to keep all the proceeds. 

SPORTS MEDICINE

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Healthcare Science: Therapeutic Services - Sports Medicine and Exercise Physiology.  Sports Medicine is offered at Cherokee, Creekview and Etowah HS; Exercise Physiology also is offered at Etowah HS.  Five different Healthcare Science programs are available in CCSD high schools.  CCSD offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

2023 AP Honor School badge

Cherokee County School District’s high schools, for the 13th consecutive year, have earned the state’s top honors for outstanding Advanced Placement (AP) programs and performance!

All of CCSD’s high schools this week were named 2023 AP Honor Schools for exceptional student performance and participation on AP exams, which offer students more challenging coursework and the opportunity to earn college credit.  

AIR FORCE JROTC (13)

This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Air Force JROTC - Government and Public Administration, which is offered at Cherokee HS, Etowah HS, River Ridge HS and Sequoyah HS, with other JROTC Pathways also offered at Creekview HS (Army) and Woodstock HS (Navy).  The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  

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This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Healthcare Science - Therapeutic Services and Allied Health and Medicine, which is offered at Creekview and Etowah High Schools.  The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

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This week’s CCSD Pathway Profile focuses on Law Enforcement Services and Criminal Investigations, which is offered at Woodstock and Etowah High Schools.  The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs … 

Cybersecurity Pathway (12)

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Cybersecurity, which is offered at the Cherokee College & Career Academy that is open to all CCSD high school students …

 EHS Auto (9)

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Transportation: Collision Repair - Painting and Refinishing, which is offered at Etowah High School, with Cherokee HS and Sequoyah HS offering other automotive programs …

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 approved mid-year bonuses for teachers and support staff and heard plans to increase salaries for next school year.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower proposed the one-time supplemental payments of $1,000 for eligible full-time employees and $500 permanent part-time employees, which will be issued in this month’s paychecks, to show appreciation for their continued service.

FOOD SCI WHS 2022

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Nutrition and Food Science, which is available at all CCSD high schools …

ACT infographic 2022

The Cherokee County School District Class of 2022 ACT scores topped national and state averages!

The class scored an outstanding 22.2 average, topping Georgia’s 21.6 and the Nation’s 19.8 averages on the competitive college entrance and placement examination.  The scores ranked CCSD in the top 10% in the State.  

CLOUD COMPUTING (1)

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Computer Science - Cloud Computing, which is offered at Woodstock HS and Etowah HS …

CCSD 2022-23 Theatre Season

The curtain will rise this month for the Cherokee County School District's 2022-23 theatre season! All CCSD high schools, as well as select middle schools and the districtwide Academy Street Theatre Group program for elementary through high school students, will present shows throughout the school year. 

2022 SAT INFOGRAPHIC

Cherokee County School District’s Class of 2022 outscored the state and nation on the SAT college entrance exam, according to results released today by the College Board.

The CCSD Class of 2022 earned an average total score of 1091 on the curriculum-based college entrance and placement exam.  CCSD’s score exceeds the national public school average by 63 points and the State by 39 points and ranks CCSD in the top 10% of districts statewide.  

CCSD Pathway Profiles: Engineering Drafting and Design and Architectural Drafting and Design

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on Engineering Drafting and Design and Architectural Drafting and Design, which is offered at Sequoyah High School and Etowah High School.

2022 CCSD Pathway Profile - Construction and Carpentry

The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on the Construction and Carpentry program, which is offered at Etowah and Cherokee High Schools:

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday evening welcomed its new Student Advisor and Student Delegates for the school year!

The School Board has included a Student Advisor position on its board since 1999, and, for the past 11 years, a Student Delegate from each high school also has been selected.  

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The Cherokee County School District offers 38 Career Pathway high school programs, which provide students with a wide selection of job exploration and preparation electives.  Through CCSD Pathway Profiles, we’ll regularly share highlights with you from one of these programs.  This week’s profile focuses on the Arts, A/V Technology and Communications program, which is offered at all CCSD high schools:  

georgia milestones

Cherokee County School District students for the seventh consecutive year exceeded State averages on the Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade and End-of-Course tests, with significant gains on most tests. 

The annual tests assess students’ mastery of Georgia Performance Standards, which set expectations for what lessons students will learn in each grade.  Teachers and administrators use the results to improve instructional best practices.

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday night approved the budget for next school year, which calls for a tax rate reduction, increased investment in school safety and pay raises for teachers and support staff.

The 1.5 mills decrease in the tax rate, which was unanimously approved, is the first reduction proposed since 2014 and was prompted by the rise in property values.  While most homeowners will see an increase in their tax bill due to their property value rising, the increase will be less due to the School Board’s action.   

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday night reviewed the proposed budget for next school year, which calls for a reduction in the tax rate for all property owners and well-deserved pay increases for teachers and support staff.

The proposed 1.5 mills decrease in the tax rate is the first reduction proposed since 2014 and has been recommended by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower in light of rising home values.

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday heard good news about the school district’s financial outlook due to increasing home values and discussed ways to reduce the burden on taxpayers, while also using some of the windfall to make teacher and staff pay more competitive.

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The Cherokee County School District has added Free Little Libraries to more of its elementary school campuses in time for students to begin using them over the winter break.

With the cost sponsored by Credit Union of Georgia, a CCSD Partner, the little library boxes are being built by CCSD high school students in the construction Career Pathway program.  

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The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, reviewed plans for the Education SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) up for renewal by voters in the Nov. 2 election.

The Cherokee County School District, for the past 24 years, has used a 1-percent Education SPLOST to fund capital improvement projects, which include constructing new schools and facilities and renovating existing ones; funding technology infrastructure; buying school buses; and purchasing land for future schools.  

School Board Meeting 7 15 2021

The Cherokee County School Board at its meeting on Thursday, July 15, 2021 took the following action:

  • Approved the monthly personnel report, which included the appointment of Adam Johnson, a 13-year CCSD teacher who has taught and coached track at Cherokee High School, as a new assistant principal at Woodstock High School;
School Board Meeting auditorium 6 17 2021

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, June 17, 2021 unanimously approved its budget for next school year, which is balanced without a tax rate increase and includes hiring 125 new teachers above and beyond enrollment growth to help bridge any pandemic-related learning opportunity losses.  

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday reviewed the recommended budget for next school year, which includes hiring more teachers to lower class size while not raising the school property tax millage rate, and adopted a resolution that prohibits implementing Critical Race Theory (CRT) and The 1619 Project.  

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, April 15, approved school calendars for three more years and appointed several new leaders for next school year.

The approved calendars for the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 school year now are posted at http://bit.ly/CCSDcalendars.  They were developed by a committee of CCSD employees and parents and use the same balanced calendar model as currently in place.  

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, March 18, 2021, heard school operations updates on plans for special events including graduation ceremonies and proms, as well as details for next school year including the continuation of a Digital Learning option.  

The School Board also approved several appointments for CCSD school leadership roles for next school year including new Principals for Ball Ground Elementary School STEM Academy and Mountain Road Elementary School, as well as the naming of the District’s first administrator focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, approved several appointments for CCSD school leadership roles for next school year.

As part of the monthly personnel report, the School Board accepted the retirements of many longtime educators throughout CCSD including Bascomb Elementary School Principal Kathleen Chandler.  

Board Biz Briefs - Steiner 12 11 2020

The Cherokee County School Board during its meeting Thursday approved the purchase of land for the potential site of a new Cherokee High School.

The 88-acre site is north of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and adjacent to the current Teasley MS campus in Canton’s Riverstone area, and the land cost is $87,500 per acre to be paid for with current Ed SPLOST funds. 

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What is Child Find?
The purpose of Child Find is to identify, locate, and evaluate children and youth, who are suspected of having or have a diagnosed disability or developmental delay, in order to provide free appropriate Special Education services.  The Cherokee County School District serves children from three years through 21 years of age.

BOE Meeting Oct. 15 2020 (1)

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday heard an update on potential State funding concerns for next school year.
 
During its pre-meeting work session, School Board members began the planning work for its annual Legislative Partnership Priorities, a list of top issues it would like to see addressed by Cherokee County’s State legislators during the General Assembly Session.  The report typically is shared by the School Board with the Delegation at a meeting in early December prior to the legislative session’s start in January.

School Board Meeting Bar Association Donation 9 18 2020

The Cherokee County School Board during its meeting Thursday heard operations updates and talked about construction of a replacement Cherokee High School as a possible project to be funded in the next Education SPLOST renewal.

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The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting tonight heard an update on the start of the school year, and talked about a possible “hybrid” model for the reopening of three temporarily closed high schools.

After a wide-ranging discussion of current school operations and possible operational changes, the School Board voted, 5-1, with Vice Chair Kelly Poole dissenting and John Harmon absent, to authorize Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower to make adjustments, as he determines are needed, to the Reopening of School Plan in order to reopen Creekview, Etowah and Woodstock High Schools on Aug. 31.  The motion specifically excluded authorizing a student mask mandate at this time.

New Leaders appointments 7 16 2020

The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting tonight unanimously approved the Cherokee County School District’s annual budget, which, despite a $25 Million State education funding cut, was balanced without the need for furlough days or a millage rate increase.

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The Cherokee County School Board at its called meeting tonight unanimously approved the Superintendent’s recommended CCSD Reopening of School Plan, which calls for both the return to schools for traditional learning and the launch of an improved digital learning choice.

 

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The Cherokee County School Board at its work session and regular meeting this evening reviewed the proposed CCSD budget for next school year, which balances a State funding shortfall without the need for furlough days or a tax rate increase, and heard an update on school reopening plans.

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The Cherokee County School Board this evening unanimously approved the Superintendent of Schools’ recommendation to end school early on May 8 and to postpone a decision on high school graduation ceremonies until July 1.

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 approved the appointment of a longtime CCSD leader as its next Chief Operations Officer.

Dr. Debra Murdock, a past Georgia High School Principal of the Year who currently serves as an Executive Director in the Office of School Operations, will begin leading the division this spring.

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 heard an update on CCSD’s Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) initiative, including projects underway to increase counseling services and create a “parent university” program for providing parents more information to help their children’s safety and well-being.

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Cherokee County School District schools continue to score high among their community members for fostering a positive school climate and culture!

The District earned a four-star average on the five-star scale in the Georgia Department of Education’s annual ratings, which measure how a community views the quality of its school’s culture and character; the highest possible rating is five stars.  The rating is based on a survey of students, parents and teachers; student discipline issue rates; and daily attendance.

Blueprint 20-24 Five Priority Areas

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 approved Blueprint, a new long-range plan for the Cherokee County School District’s continued success, developed based on community input. 

The creation of the new five-year strategic plan, which is posted here, evolved over six months of meetings with students, families, teachers, support staff, business and community partners to determine what matters most to them and how CCSD could better serve them.

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, July 18, 2019 appointed a longtime CCSD leader to head up the new Social and Emotional Learning initiative, as well as several resulting Principal changes.  

Dr. Debra Murdock, the former Principal of Cherokee High School and Georgia High School Principal of the Year, who has most recently served as the School Operations’ executive director overseeing middle and high schools, will take on the newly created role focused on developing new ways to better support students’ and employees’ emotional and mental health and well-being.

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The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, April 18, 2019 approved the appointment of a new CCSD School Police Chief and new assistant principals to fill vacancies for next school year. 

The School Board unanimously approved naming Major Buster Cushing, who currently serves as commander of field operations for the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, as the next CCSD School Police Chief effective July 1.  Major Cushing will fill the role held by retiring Chief Mark Kissel  since the Department’s establishment 20 years ago.

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The Cherokee County School District celebrated its Work-Based Learning program with regional guests and special recognitions of partners that help with this important career education initiative.

The Work-Based Learning program provides CCSD high school students the opportunity to explore possible careers through working in school partners’ places of business.  The School District this month for the first time hosted a regional Work Based Learning meeting, with high school career education teachers from across the state in attendance to learn about one of CCSD’s programs: healthcare science.