Board Business Briefs: School Board Reviews Student Performance Success

The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, reviewed student performance successes including the recently released SAT and ACT scores and graduation rate. 

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.

During the work session, Chief Academic & Accountability Officer Dr. Josh Heath gave a report, which is online here, on CCSD student performance success.

The School Board’s laser focus on student learning has been strengthened to new levels over the past year through the development of core beliefs, establishment of a supportive accountability governance model, writing of Policy BAB calling for clarity in a cohesive system of teaching and learning and supportive accountability for outcomes, and setting three-year goals for student achievement.  This work created a depth of alignment from the board room to the classroom now driving the district’s mission to be the highest performing school district in the state.

CCSD’s SAT scores for the Class of 2025 increased and continue to top national and statewide results.  The class earned an average total score of 1085 on the curriculum-based college entrance and placement exam.  The 2025 score is an increase from 1083 in 2024 and further widens CCSD’s margin over the national average by 89 points and the state by 56 points. 

CCSD’s Class of 2025 ACT scores increased and topped national and state averages. The class earned an outstanding 22.8 average, up from 22.5 last year and exceeding Georgia’s 21.4 (up from 21.2) and the Nation’s 19.4 steady average on the competitive college entrance and placement examination.

CCSD’s graduation rate for the Class of 2025 topped the state average, with three schools exceeding 95%.  The district’s four-year graduation rate is 91.8%, exceeding the state average of 87.2% by nearly 5%.  The five-year graduation rate, which represents students who needed additional time to earn required credits, increased to 94.8% in 2025 up from 93.7% in 2024. 

In addition to reporting on the district’s overall success, Dr. Heath also highlighted school bright spots and compared CCSD’s results to similar school districts’ performance.

“Thank you for the hard work not only that the students do, but that the parents do behind the scenes, and that also the teachers do on the front lines making sure that every child who wants to take that is ready for it,” School Board Chair Janet Read Welch said of the SAT and ACT results, noting the exams’ importance for college admission and scholarships.

The School Board also:

• Held a moment of silence to honor the late State Rep. Mandi Ballinger.  School Board Vice Chair Patsy Jordan read a tribute recognizing Rep. Ballinger’s advocacy on behalf of children, including a thank you for the late legislator’s work to secure a state grant that helped fund the construction of Creekview High School’s agriculture building.  “She was more than a lawmaker -- she was a friend of Cherokee County, a champion for children and families, and a true servant leader.”
• Student Delegate Lili DeFiore of Sequoyah 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. Lili reflected on what she and her fellow Delegates learned from their work session, which this month featured a presentation by Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Owen on the Financial Management division.  The school district’s annual budget priorities, she said, “really demonstrate our county’s dedication to the classroom and the people … it is evident that the interest of the people is the first priority in making these plans.”
• Heard the monthly financial report for September, which is online here.  Mr. Owen spoke to the importance of the School Board’s reserve fund to sustain operations.  Due to the timing of local property tax collection, typically received in December, and federal funding distribution, which is on a reimbursement basis, the school district from August to December experiences a temporary operating budget funding gap.  When such gaps are experienced, the reserve fund – like a savings account – ensures timely payment of operating expenses including salaries and benefits, and utility and fuel costs;
• 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.  The Creekview HS auxiliary gym and renovated 1300 hall of classrooms both are on track for opening later month.  The Teasley MS bus driveway project’s utility relocation work took longer than anticipated, and project completion is expected next month;
• Recognized CCSD’s National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.  Learn more here;
• Recognized CCSD School Nurse of the Year and Innovation Zone Winners.  Learn more here;  
• Recognized CCSD’s 2025-27 State School Superintendent's Parent Advisory Council representative Audrey Legrand, nominated by Teasley MS.   Learn more here;  
• Recognized CCSD’s 2025-26 Innovation Zone Principals.  Learn more here;  

From left, Susan McCarthy, Perry Marshall, and Connie Garrison.

• Recognized CCSD’s 2025-2026 Learning from Legends honorees: Connie Garrison, Perry Marshall, and Susan McCarthy, and watched the trailer for this year’s oral history project video created by CCSD in collaboration with the Cherokee Retired Educators Association.  The trailer is online here, and the full video will be shared on CCSD’s website and social media on Retired Educators Day, which is Nov. 2.  Learn more here;  
• Approved the annual proclamation in honor of Retired Educators Day on Nov. 2, and heard remarks from retired CCSD educator Letitia Cline on behalf of the Cherokee Retired Educators Association;
• Approved the annual declaration of surplus property and disposal through a public auction to be held Nov. 15.  Learn more here;  
• Approved Partnership Agreement renewals with the Cherokee Retired Educators Association and City of Holly Springs;
• Approved the first reading of an update to School Board Policy BBE: School Attorney, which clarifies the service agreement for legal services;
• Approved the monthly human resources employment recommendations; and,
• Approved entering into a contract for continuing services, as aligned with School Board Policy BBE: School Attorney, with Roach, Caudill & Frost, LLP.