Board Business Briefs: School Board Celebrates Retirements, Appoints New Leaders

School Board member Clark Menard, who joined the board in 2015, served at his last meeting after not seeking reelection.

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday, Dec. 15, at its last meeting of 2022 celebrated several retiring leaders and appointed new assistant principals.

School Board member Clark Menard, who joined the board in 2015, served at his last meeting after not seeking reelection.  Fellow retiring School Board member Mike Chapman was celebrated last month as he could not attend Thursday’s meeting.

Mr. Menard’s fellow board members and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower praised his service, noting his dedication to using his business knowledge to help enhance the school district’s financial management.

“Clark is always the first school board member I call whenever I have a question about an issue,” School Board member Kelly Poole said, noting that while they sometimes disagree on issues, she valued Mr. Menard’s experience and opinions.

Mr. Menard, who received a standing ovation from the audience, thanked his family, which was in attendance, for their support.

“I felt like I needed to be there as a voice for students,” he said as what compelled him to join the school board.  “I really appreciate I got a chance to do that.” 

As his last board initiative, Mr. Menard requested a resolution be placed on Thursday’s agenda to affirm the School Board’s commitment and support of Mountain Education Charter High School, and it was unanimously approved.  Mountain Ed is a regional state charter school that partners with CCSD to provide an evening high school alternative program at the Etowah HS Etowah East campus.  Changes in state law threaten the continuation of Mountain Ed’s successful program.

“We want to drive home the point that we really think there is a place, an important place, for a school like Mountain Ed,” Mr. Menard said, noting he is hopeful the state legislature will resolve their funding concerns to maintain Mountain Ed as a regional state charter, which is a more successful model for its services than a local charter.

The School Board also celebrated the retirement of longtime lead School Board Attorney Tom Roach, who has served for 31 years in the critical role.  Although Mr. Roach, who followed in his father’s footsteps in serving as the board’s attorney, is retiring, the board will continue to be represented by his daughter, Abby, and the other attorneys in their law firm, Roach, Caudill & Frost of Canton.

“I consider it my crowning achievement,” Mr. Roach said of his service to the school board, noting he has served 35 school board members and four superintendents during his tenure.  “I was here when our district was placed on [accreditation] probation, and I’m proud to be here now when it’s one of the best in the state”

Mr. Roach thanked his family and his firm’s staff, who were in attendance, and received a standing ovation for his service.

“You have made a difference – thank you,” Chair Kyle Cromer said in appreciation for the service of both Mr. Roach and Mr. Menard.  

Longtime educator and administrator Dr. Jennifer Cash, whose many CCSD roles have included opening Clark Creek ES STEM Academy as its first principal and who currently supervises grants and research for the district, is retiring this month.

“We appreciate all that Jen has done for the betterment of our school district and wish her the best in her next chapter,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said.

The School Board, as part of its monthly personnel agenda item, also appointed three new assistant principals to begin this month in roles opened by retirements and transfers.

Shannon Thomas, who serves as the instructional lead strategist (ILS) at Hasty ES Fine Arts Academy, will serve as an assistant principal at Liberty ES.  An 18-year educator, Ms. Thomas previously served as an ILS at Boston ES and as a classroom teacher at Boston ES as well as in Cobb County and Florida.

Lacey Bass, who serves as a districtwide school behavior specialist, will serve as an assistant principal at Little River ES.  A 12-year educator, Ms. Bass previously served as an English teacher at River Ridge HS.  

Tiffany Cothern, a teacher at Little River ES, will serve as an assistant principal at Mountain Road ES.  She will fill the post currently held by Lori Etheridge, who is moving to an assistant principal post at Boston ES.  A 14-year educator, Ms. Cothern during her tenure at Little River ES has taught grades 1-5.

“We’re thankful to be in the position to ensure these key leadership roles at our schools will not go unfilled for next semester,” Dr. Hightower said.  “Each of these new leaders will bring experience, expertise and enthusiasm to their roles, and we look forward to seeing all that they will accomplish.”

Newly appointed assistant principals, from left, Shannon Thomas, Lacey Bass and Tiffany Cothern.

The School Board also:

•    Recognized School Board member Patsy Jordan for winning the 2022 Pioneer in Education award from Mountain Education Charter High School.  Ms. Jordan, who has served in education for 47 years, is a retired CCSD teacher who now works for Mountain Ed in Dawson County and received this top honor for her service;
•    Recognized the School Board as a 2022 Georgia Leading Edge Award winner for exemplary leadership and innovative practices in stakeholder communications.  Learn more here [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink];
•    Recognized the overall winners of CCSD’s 2023 Support Staff Employees of the Year Awards.  Learn more here; [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink]
•    Recognized Woodstock HS Assistant Principal Dr. Meagan Waid as 2022-23 Georgia Assistant Principal of the Year.  Learn more here; [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink]
•    Recognized Etowah HS senior Avery DiGirolamo as a Georgia HOSA Future Health Professionals statewide career skills competition winner.  Learn more here; [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink]
•    Recognized Clark Creek ES STEM Academy Teachers Teresa Bailey and Kimberly Harrison as 2023 Georgia STEM Scholars.  Learn more here; [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink]
•    Recognized CCSD Adapted PE Specialist Amy Aenchbacher as the Georgia Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Kim Thompson Honor Award recipient.  Learn more here; [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink]
•    Recognized Woodstock MS seventh-grader Cynthia Higginbotham as Cherokee County’s Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District essay contest winner.  Learn more here; [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink]
•    Recognized CCSD’s Georgia High School Association state and regional champions.  Learn more here;
•    Recognized Woodstock MS seventh-grader Winston Kang as the Cherokee County Water and Sewerage Authority countywide essay contest winner.  Learn more here; [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink]
•    Recognized CCSD’s REACH Georgia Scholar winners.  Learn more here; [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink]
•    Approved the first reading of state-mandated changes to the supplementary materials selection and adoption policy;
•    Approved suspending a portion of the public participation policy;
•    Approved monthly financial reports; 
•    Approved out of state and overnight student field trips;
•    Approved upholding the media advisory committee’s recommendation in regard to a challenged book; and,
•    Approved a special lease agreement.