CENTRE, Ala.– The Cherokee County Board of Education met Monday afternoon at the central office to conduct its regular monthly meeting, approving a number of routine business items and recognizing several student and school accomplishments across the district.
After opening the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, the board approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from its February 9, 2026 meeting. Board members also reviewed financial reports for December 2025 and January 2026.
Several operational items were approved during the meeting, including a revised district wellness policy, an agreement to participate in the Medicaid Administrative Claiming program, and a joint purchasing agreement for participation in the Alabama Child Nutrition Program Cooperative. The board also approved a revised energy savings budget for Centre Middle School, pest control agreements for Cedar Bluff School and its lunchroom, and the acceptance of a bid for used bus tires.
In additional business, the board declared several items as surplus property, approved travel requests for four school-related trips, and approved personnel action items along with a list of professional development activities. Current job postings within the school system were also provided for board review.
During the superintendent’s update, several student and school achievements were highlighted. Ava Haygood of Cherokee County High School was selected to participate in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Volleyball All-Star Game, while Kaitlyn Stiefel of Sand Rock School was chosen for the All-Star Cross Country meet.
Students from Cherokee County High School’s Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG) program were also recognized after placing first in a project-based learning competition. The winning team included Chloe Kelly, Chloe Abernathy, Amy McCullough, and Kaylee Ramsey.
All schools in the district were also recognized for earning Purple Star School status, an honor given to schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting military-connected students and their families.
Cherokee County High School received additional recognition after being named a Class School of Distinction for 2025 for its ACT Bootcamp program. The honor recognizes outstanding educational programs that serve as models for other schools across Alabama.
The superintendent also noted several employee retirements approved during the meeting, representing a combined 156 years of service to the school system.
The next regular meeting of the Cherokee County Board of Education is scheduled for Monday, April 13 at 4 p.m. at the central office.
Here are the minutes from the meeting:
CHEROKEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Date: March 9, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM
Location:
Central Office
200 Armory Road
Centre, Alabama 35960
MEETING AGENDA
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CALL TO ORDER
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OPENING PRAYER
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
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WELCOME
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
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ROLL CALL – ESTABLISHMENT OF A QUORUM
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PROPER PROCEDURES FOR BOARD MEETING NOTIFICATION
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ADOPT AGENDA
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APPROVE FEBRUARY 9, 2026 MINUTES
FINANCIAL REPORTS
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RECEIVE DECEMBER 2025 FINANCIAL REPORT
Receive the December 2025 Bank Reconciliation, Cash Balance, and Financial Report.
The financial data and cash balance presented in these reports were based on the reconciled bank statements to the general ledger as of December 31, 2025.
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RECEIVE JANUARY 2026 FINANCIAL REPORT
Receive the January 2026 Bank Reconciliation, Cash Balance, and Financial Report.
The financial data and cash balance presented in these reports were based on the reconciled bank statements to the general ledger as of January 31, 2026.
POLICY & AGREEMENTS
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APPROVE REVISED WELLNESS POLICY
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APPROVE AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE MEDICAID ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIMING (MAC) PROGRAM
• Approve agreement with Tallassee City Board of Education as a Participant District for Medicaid Administrative Claim Program (MAC Program)
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APPROVE JOINT PURCHASING AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE ALABAMA CNP COOPERATIVE
• Approve Joint Purchasing Agreement for procurement of supplemental grocery items and supplies for a minimum term of one year, commencing July 1, 2026, and concluding June 30, 2027, with the provision for an optional renewal for an additional subsequent year.
FACILITIES & OPERATIONS
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APPROVE REVISED ENERGY SAVINGS BUDGET FOR CENTRE MIDDLE SCHOOL
• Revised Energy Savings Budget for Centre Middle School
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APPROVE PEST CONTROL AGREEMENTS
• Cook’s Pest Control Agreement for Cedar Bluff School
• Cook’s Pest Control Agreement for Cedar Bluff School Lunch Room
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ACCEPT BID FOR USED BUS TIRES
• Bradley Kiser, Kiser’s Farms LP – Sole Responsible Bidder — $75 per tire
DECLARE ITEMS AS SURPLUS PROPERTY
• Asset # VS-5-22-14 – Walker Bumper Jacks, Model J-102 – CCCTC
• Asset # VS-5-22-14-1 – Walker Bumper Jacks, Model J-102 – CCCTC
• Asset # VS-5-22-15 – Walker Floor Jacks, Model 51-202 – CCCTC
• Asset # VS-5-22-15-1 – Walker Floor Jacks, Model 51-202 – CCCTC
• Asset # VS5-22-II – Dual Action Sanders – CCCTC
• Asset # VS5-22-JJ – Dual Action Sanders – CCCTC
• Asset # VS5-22-KK – Dual Action Sanders – CCCTC
• Asset # VSNN-66 – Air End Lift Jacks – CCCTC
• Asset # 00500 – Tool Chest – Transportation Department
• Asset # BD-82-2 – Speedaire Air Compressor – Transportation Department
• Snap On Tool Chest – Transportation Department (no asset number)
• Craftsman Tall Tool Chest – Transportation Department (no asset number)
• Craftsman Wide Tool Chest – Transportation Department (no asset number)
APPROVE TRAVEL
• Caleb Hays and CCH Golf Team to compete in the Brooks Invitational Tournament at Blackberry Trail Golf Course in Florence, AL on March 1–2, 2026 – Funded by CCHS Golf – Trip 5173
• Andrew McBrayer and the CCH Wrestling Team to compete in Wrestling Sectionals at Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, AL on February 5–6, 2026 – Funded by CCHS Wrestling – Trip 5229
• Heather King and SR Track Teams to compete in the state track meet at Cullman High School in Cullman, AL on May 1–2, 2026 – Funded by SR Track – Trip 5037
• Sally Campbell and Gifted Education Students to travel to The Factory in Gadsden, AL on April 23–24, 2026 – Funded by Gifted Education – Trip 5059
PERSONNEL ACTION
A. APPROVE RETIREMENTS
• Karen Bishop – Elementary Teacher, Cedar Bluff School – 28 Years of CCBOE Service – Effective June 1, 2026 (Pending TRS approval)
• Jonathan McWhorter – Assistant Principal, Cedar Bluff School – 25 Years of CCBOE Service – Effective July 1, 2026 (Pending TRS approval)
• Christie Selman – Elementary Teacher, Cedar Bluff School – 28 Years of CCBOE Service – Effective June 1, 2026 (Pending TRS approval)
• Shelia Starr – Elementary Teacher, Cedar Bluff School – 28 Years of CCBOE Service – Effective June 1, 2026 (Pending TRS approval)
• Lana Jones – Elementary Teacher, Centre Elementary School – 25 Years of CCBOE Service – Effective June 1, 2026 (Pending TRS approval)
• Lynda Spellman – School Bookkeeper, Centre Elementary School – 22 Years of CCBOE Service – Effective July 1, 2026 (Pending TRS approval)
B. APPROVE RESIGNATIONS
• Dustin Cothran – Special Education Paraprofessional – Effective March 30, 2026
• Brenna Williams – Bus Driver, Sand Rock School – Effective February 19, 2026
C. APPROVE CLASSIFIED PLACEMENTS
• Kyla Smith – Special Education Paraprofessional/Nurse with Bus Aide Responsibilities – Effective March 17, 2026
• Mark Yoder – Bus Driver, Sand Rock School – Effective February 20, 2026
D. APPROVE CONTRACT EMPLOYMENT
• Montana Hunter – Extended Leave Temporary Certified Substitute Position at Gaylesville School – Effective February 19, 2026
• Anna Smith – Extended Leave Temporary Certified Substitute Position at Spring Garden School
• Bryant Birchmore – CCHS Spring Band Clinic – $300 – Funded by CCHS Band
• Katie Letson – CCHS Spring Band Clinic – $300 – Funded by CCHS Band
• Nesha Warnell – CCHS Spring Band Clinic – $325 – Funded by CCHS Band
• Alyssa Andrews – CCHS Spring Band Clinic – $150 – Funded by CCHS Band
E. APPROVE 2025–2026 SUPPLEMENT ASSIGNMENTS / REVISION
• Bert St. Clair – Additional Supplement – Softball at Cherokee County High School – $1,179
• Macey Pruitt – Softball Scoreboard/Stats at Sand Rock School – $420 – Funded by SR Softball
• Remove Jeff Nelson as Gaylesville Baseball JH/JV Coach ($3,593) and replace with Braden Sharp ($1,474)
F. APPROVE 2025–2026 VOLUNTEER
• Cameron Gifford – Sand Rock Baseball
G. APPROVE 2025–2026 NEW SUBSTITUTES
• Amber Alexander
• Megan Biddy
• Ashley Christopher
• Timothy Clothier
• Hope Porter
• Anna Smith
• Ava Tucker
• Ben Ward
H. APPROVE LEAVES OF ABSENCE
• Tina Goza – Bus Driver at Gaylesville School
• Lindsey Lambert – Pre-K Paraprofessional at Spring Garden School
I. REVIEW PRINCIPAL CONTRACTS
• Torey McDaniel – Principal at Cedar Bluff School
• Brett Keasler – Principal at Cherokee County Career and Technology Center
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APPROVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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REVIEW CURRENT JOB POSTINGS
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SUPERINTENDENT’S UPDATE
Superintendent Welsh will present school system updates and recognitions.
OTHER
The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026 at 4:00 PM and will be held at the Central Office, located at 200 Armory Road, Centre, AL 35960.
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ADJOURN
You can listen to the entire meeting right here:
