Board Business Briefs: School Board to Sell Property to County Government

The Cherokee County School Board on Thursday night approved the first step to sell two properties to the county government.

The intergovernmental agreement and memorandum of understanding with the Cherokee County government will allow both sides to proceed with the sale of the former Tippens Elementary School in Canton as well as unused acreage on Hunt Road near Clark Creek Elementary School STEM Academy.

The school district discontinued full time use of the former Tippens Elementary building when the Tippens Educational Center program relocated to the former ACE Academy building in Holly Springs.  Since then it has been used on occasion for community service needs such as a storage and distribution site for charitable programs.  The 14.66 acres on Hunt Road was part of the acreage purchased for the construction of Clark Creek Elementary, but was not used.  The sites will be sold to the county government for $600,000.

“The county government is a longtime partner in our efforts to serve our community,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said.  “As with the recently reopened historic Hickory Flat school gym, which the county government restored for community use, we anticipate that both of these sites will be put to good use for the betterment of our community.”

As part of its approval of the monthly personnel recommendations, the School Board also approved two new district leaders for next school year.

Matthew Shettle

Matthew Shettle has been appointed as a director for capital improvements.  This second director position was added for this school year to assist with major projects, such as the upcoming construction of new campuses for Cherokee High School and Free Home Elementary School.  Mr. Shettle has 23 years of experience, including most recently serving as Cobb County Schools’ SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) construction and program manager, and has led more than 40 major school renovation projects.

Mark Johnson

Mark Johnson has been appointed to fill the School Nutrition coordinator role that includes dietitian responsibilities.  Mr. Johnson has 17 years of experience, including most recently serving as nutrition coordinator for Atlanta Public Schools’ school food service provider, and is a registered and licensed dietitian.

The School Board also:

•    Recognized CCSD high school students selected for All-State Chorus.  Read more here; [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink]
•    Recognized CCSD’s 2021-22 regional and state Elementary Science Olympiad Winners.  Read more here [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink];
•    Recognized CCSD's Office of Communications as winner of seven National School Public Relations Association Awards for excellence in communications.  Read more here [CONTENT_REVIEW InternalLink];
•    Approved the renewal of Partnership Agreements with Baseball Group of East Cherokee, Inc. and Cherokee County Farm Bureau;
•    Approved the final reading of annual updates to School Board Policies;
•    Approved the first reading of the state-mandated School Board Policy on divisive topics;
•    Approved authorized school fundraising activities for the 2022-23 school year;
•    Approved out of state travel by staff;
•    Approved out of state and overnight field trips; 
•    Approved special lease agreements;
•    Approved the Holly Springs tax allocation district resolution and intergovernmental agreement for its city center project;
•    Approved a surplus property declaration and sale of property to the highest bidder for property near Indian Knoll ES; and,
•    Approved the annually required local school board governance training plan.