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Board of Education

A high performing school district starts with a high performing Board of Education.
High performing Boards of Education focus on the work of governance, that includes core beliefs, clear student performance goals, an aligned superintendent evaluation, effective policies and a long-range strategic plan.

 

To learn more about the work of the Cherokee County  School District's Governance Team, visit the Strategic Direction page . 

Meet the Board

headshot of janet read welch

Janet Read Welch, School Board Chair
janet.readwelch@cherokeek12.net

Janet Read Welch is a 33-year resident of Towne Lake who began her volunteer engagement with Cherokee County Schools in 1998. She served multiple roles in the Bascomb, Chapman, E.T. Booth and Etowah PTA organizations, including President of the Bascomb PTA from 2000-2002.   She previously served on the school board from 2005 to June of 2015.   Janet is the proud mom of Drew Read and Lucas Read – both graduates of Etowah High School, and has been married to her husband Jan Welch since April of 2018.

head shot of Kelly Poole

Kelly Poole District 1
kelly.poole@cherokeek12.net
310 Maple Grove Ct., Canton, GA 30114
678.895.9044

Kelly Poole of BridgeMill, who is elected by District 1 which includes Holly Springs and the Sixes community, is an accountant with experience in government and nonprofits and their audits and joined the School Board in 2015 to expand upon her longtime service to local schools through the PTA.  Her daughter and son are CCSD graduates.

head shot of Rick Steiner

Robert Rechsteiner "Rick Steiner" District 4 
rick.steiner@cherokeek12.net
9860 Highway 92, Woodstock, GA 30188
770.852.0162

Robert Rechsteiner of southwest Cherokee, known by his nickname Rick Steiner from his professional wrestling career, has served for 19 years on the School Board.  A Realtor and longtime youth sports volunteer and supporter, he is elected by District 4, which includes Etowah High School and southwest Cherokee.  His three sons are CCSD graduates.

head shot of Susan Padgett-Harrison

Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison District 6
SPH@cherokeek12.net 
770.479.1871

District 6 member Dr. Susan Padgett Harrison of Canton, who took office in 2023, served as an educator with CCSD for 29 years in roles including teacher, assistant principal, Cherokee High School principal and district curriculum supervisor and assessment director.  An adjunct Kennesaw State University and Piedmont lecturer and longtime community volunteer, her family includes three CCSD graduates, including one  who serves as a CCSD educator, and 12 grandchildren.

head shot of Patsy Jordan

Patsy Jordan District 2 and Vice Chair
patsy.jordan@cherokeek12.net

Vice-Chair Patsy Jordan is a retired educator from the Cherokee County School District, with a strong educational background that includes an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Specialist degree, along with endorsements in Gifted and Teacher Support. A lifelong member of the Mica/Conns Creek community in Northeast Cherokee County, Patsy attended Ball Ground Elementary, graduated from Cherokee High, and is serving her fourth term as District 2 school board member. Patsy holds a deep respect for all roles within the school system, believing that teamwork, trust, and shared values are key to a nurturing educational environment for all students.

New School Board District 3 member Mr. Chance Beam

Chance Beam District 3
chance.beam@cherokeek12.net

Chance Beam, a Woodstock resident and local business owner, was appointed to the Cherokee County School Board in February 2025 to represent District 3. As a dedicated entrepreneur, he has successfully operated multiple businesses, contributing to the growth and development of youth sports and athletics in the community.  His coaching efforts have helped over 1,200 players advance to college or professional baseball and softball.  Chance and his wife, Christine, have one daughter who attends River Ridge High School and one who is a recent graduate. He is dedicated to ensuring that every student in the district has access to quality education and opportunities for success both in and out of the classroom.

head shot of Erin Ragsdale

Erin Ragsdale District 5
eragsdale@cherokeek12.net

Erin Ragsdale of Towne Lake joined the School Board in 2023, bringing to the role experience as a teacher, speech language pathologist and school and community volunteer.  She is elected by District 5, which includes Woodstock High School, Towne Lake and downtown Woodstock.  Both of her children are CCSD students.

Learn More About Your School Board Members

Board Meeting Information

The Cherokee County School District welcomes your input.  Please email questions, comments and concerns.
The Cherokee County Board of Education meets regularly at:

Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo Educational Services Facility
1205 Bluffs Parkway
Canton, GA 30114

Upcoming meeting dates and agendas are posted on the Board Meetings page.  Each meeting is preceded by a work session, both meetings are open to the public. Public Participation is scheduled at every regular meeting.  Any citizens who wish to speak to an agenda item will have the opportunity to do so at any regular meeting of the Board, as recognized by the Chairman.  School Board meetings are streamed live each month; videos of recent regular meetings and work sessions are housed on the Board Meetings page, along with minutes and agendas. 

If your child is being recognized at a School Board meeting, please read this additional information.

Recent Board Meeting Recaps

Board Business Briefs: Safety & Security Report, Clean Financial Audit
Board Business Briefs: Safety & Security Report, Clean Financial Audit

The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, reviewed plans to further improve safety and security, including the planned installation of bus stop-arm cameras to catch drivers illegally passing stopped school buses.  The board also reviewed the latest independent audit of CCSD’s finances, which marks the 12th consecutive year of clean audit reports with no findings. 

Board Business Briefs: School Board Reviews CCRPI Success
Board Business Briefs: School Board Reviews CCRPI Success

The Cherokee County School Board at its regular meeting on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, reviewed student performance successes including the recently released College and Career Ready Performance Index scores, which showed CCSD’s highest scores ever and impressive gains.