Thank You to Our School Board: Chair Janet Read Welch!

In this season of gratitude, we’re sharing how thankful we are for our dedicated Cherokee County School Board members!  Our School Board members’ laser focus on student learning has been strengthened to new levels over the past year.  Their work created a depth of alignment from the board room to the classroom now driving our mission to be the highest performing school district in the state.  A high performing school district starts with a high performing school board!  We asked our board members a series of questions to share more with the community about themselves, their role, and their service, and we’ll be sharing these profiles with you this month. 

Please join us in thanking Board Chair Janet Read Welch! 

Janet Read Welch is a 33-year resident of Towne Lake who began her volunteer engagement with CCSD 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.   Ms. Read Welch is the proud mom of Drew Read and Lucas Read – both graduates of Etowah HS and has been married to her husband, Jan Welch, since April 2018.

Why did you choose to serve on the School Board?
I became involved with the CCSD because of the Bascomb PTA.  From that role, I realized that I wanted to be a part of something that affected more children and decided that I would love to run for the Board of Education.  When the local seat became vacant, I jumped on the chance to become a board member.  I ran for the board most recently because I wanted to continue my goal of ensuring that every child in our district receives a quality education.

What part of your role on the School Board do you enjoy most?
I love the recognitions we have for students and staff at our board meetings.  I especially enjoy watching the parents/spouses as their loved one is being recognized.  I also appreciate the opportunity to be in the schools and speak with teachers and staff.  It is great seeing firsthand how the decisions that the board makes have a direct and positive impact on our students and their success.  I also appreciate when community members see me out in the community and talk about how pleased they are with our district. 

What is the most challenging part of serving on the School Board?
Oftentimes, parents will contact BOE members about issues they are having with their children or the teachers.  While I appreciate their concerns, I often discover that their first contact was with one of the board members.  In those cases, I do my best to guide them through the proper channels -- speak to the teacher, assistant principal, and principal.  I try to remind every parent that they are best advocate for their child, while also ensuring that they have taken all the right steps to have their concerns/issues resolved. 

What other ways do you enjoy volunteering in the community?
I serve on the Children’s Haven board and the board of the 911 Foundation.  Both of these great organizations speak to my heart and remind me that it truly takes a village. 

What are some of the reasons you love living in our community?
I moved here 34 years ago when Cherokee County was still very rural.  I grew up in a small farming community in east central Illinois, so I was immediately drawn to the small-town feel.  Over these years I have watched it grow and expand.  When people complain about “new people moving in,” I usually ask them if they have always lived here or did they “move in” as well?  I love the local sports rivalries and then learning that those same kids played Little League, YMCA, or youth sports on the same teams.  I attended the Woodstock HS/Etowah HS state championship baseball game a few years when they played at Turner Field.  The players lined up on the baselines for the National Anthem.  I remember thinking how amazing it was that these players have grown up in in Braves territory and they are playing one of the most important games of their high school careers in this stadium against the team that is two miles down the road!  We left the stadium with fans/parents/players from both schools.  The atmosphere was so positive from both teams.  Nearly every car that pulled away from the stadium was headed north – Cherokee County – God’s country – an amazing place to live, work and attend school!  I am honored that voters chose me to be a small part of such a great school district!

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