Board Briefs: School Board Names New Principals for Next School Year

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, March 21, 2019 approved the appointment of five new Principals to fill vacancies for next school year, as well as a new head football coach for Creekview High School. 

The five new Principals are: for Clayton Elementary School, Carrie O’Bryant; E.T. Booth Middle School, Todd Sharrock; Knox Elementary School, Jennifer McIntosh; Sixes Elementary School, Dr. Ashley Kennerly; and Woodstock Middle School; Michael Santoro.  The five new Principals enjoyed a meet-and-greet reception with the School Board, Superintendent and senior staff prior to the meeting, which was sponsored by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

“Each of these new Principals will bring to the role significant experience in teaching, team-building, coaching, inspiring and leading,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said.  “They understand our mission and are committed to ensuring every child we serve receives the best education possible for the greatest future success.  We’re looking forward to seeing all that they will accomplish!” 

Ms. O’Bryant, an assistant principal at Oak Grove ES Fine Arts Academy, has 20 years of education experience including as a teacher at Boston ES and R.M. Moore ES.  She is currently pursuing her doctorate in education at Valdosta State University.

Mr. Sharrock, who has 22 years of education experience, is an assistant principal at Woodstock High School, following service as a teacher at Creekview High School and an instructor and administrator at Young Harris College, North Georgia Technical College and Union County Middle School.  He is a past Georgia Assistant Principal of the Year nominee and school Teacher of the Year.

Ms. McIntosh, an assistant principal at Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy, has worked in education for 20 years and her previous experience includes teaching at Clark Creek ES STEM Academy, Woodstock ES and in Fulton County Schools.  She is a two-time school Teacher of the Year winner.

Dr. Kennerly, an assistant principal at Indian Knoll, over her 13-year career also has worked as a teacher at Canton ES STEM Academy and Johnston ES.  Dr. Kennerly also teaches as a professor for Piedmont College.

Mr. Santoro, who has worked in education for 22 years, serves an assistant Principal at River Ridge High School, following a career in Fulton County Schools that included administrative, teaching and coaching roles.  He is a past State Athletic Director of the Year, two-time Region Athletic Director of the Year and two-time Region Coach of the Year. 

The School Board made one more major hiring announcement: Trevor Williams is the new head football coach for Creekview High School.  Coach Williams, who also teaches PE, health and Special Education, is a Sequoyah High School graduate who has gone on to great success teaching and coaching in Forsyth County.

The School Board at the meeting gave a special salute to the CCSD School Police Department for its 20 years of exemplary service.  Chief Mark Kissel and all of his officers and staff received special badges and recognition for this accomplishment. 

Led since its establishment by Chief Kissel, who has announced he will retire at the end of this school year, the Department consists of 20 police officers certified by the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council, an Emergency Management Facilitator and office staff.

Since 2006, the Department has been recognized as a “Certified Agency” under the Georgia Law Enforcement Certification Program having demonstrated its commitment to law enforcement excellence by meeting or exceeding all applicable standards. This distinction is currently held by only five school district police departments in the state. 

“We’re so proud of our Police Department and Chief Kissel and his officers and staff for this milestone, but also for important work they do each day,” Dr. Hightower said.  “Our schools, students, staff and entire community are safer because of their dedication, focus on continuous improvement, and how deeply they care for all of us.”

The School Board also:

• Recognized School Board Member Appreciation Week;

• Recognized four Woodstock High School Seniors as State Champions in the Georgia Council of Economic Education's Georgia Personal Finance Challenge;

• Recognized CCSD students selected for All-State Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Reading Chorus, Treble Choir and Jazz Ensemble;

• Recognized the CCSD overall winners of the 2019 Support Staff Employee of the Year Awards;

• Recognized CCSD 2019 Media Specialist of the Year Anne Thiers of Creekview High School and Innovation Zone winners;

• Recognized CCSD’s Girls and Boys Middle School Basketball County Champions;

• Recognized CCSD’s Georgia High School Association County Swimming Champions;

• Recognized CCSD’s Georgia High School Association State and Regional Champions;

• Recognized Cherokee High School and Sequoyah High School Speech and Debate Teams as 2019 National Speech and Debate Tournament Qualifiers;

• Approved applying for the Georgia School Boards Association’s Governance Team Recognition - - Distinguished Board Level II;

• Approved School Board member Rick Steiner as the delegate and Board Vice Chair Kelly Poole as the alternate for 2019 Georgia School Boards Association Delegate Assembly;

• Approved monthly financial reports;

• Approved out-of-state travel and out-of-state and overnight field trips;

• Approved the monthly capital outlay projects report;

• Approved special lease agreements; and,

• Approved the termination of a declaration of easements on the property containing the Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo Educational Services Facility.

Next meeting: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, 2019