CENTRE– The Cherokee County Board of Education approved the 2026-27 student handbook, meal prices, school budgets, agreements, and personnel actions during a special-called meeting Monday, July 27.

During the meeting, board members also approved minutes from July 13.

Student Handbook, Bids and Agreements

First, board members approved the proposed 2026-27 student handbook.

The board then selected Forestwood Farms as the sole responsible bidder for the Child Nutrition Program fresh produce contract. Members also extended the district’s fuel agreement with Cedar Bluff Oil from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027.

In addition, the board approved an independent contractor agreement with CED Mental Health Center. The district will pay for those services with Title funds.

Members also approved an agreement with Seasons Counseling & Consulting Services, LLC. The district will pay for those services with local funds.

Energy Budgets and Meal Prices

Meanwhile, the board approved 2026-27 energy savings budgets for Centre Middle School, Cherokee County High School, and Sand Rock School.

For meal prices, employees will pay $3.50 for breakfast and $5.50 for lunch. Visitors will pay $4 for breakfast and $6 for lunch during the 2026-27 school year.

Personnel Actions

In personnel actions, the board accepted the resignations of two Cherokee County High School employees. Chris Self served as a special education teacher, while Landen Whited served as music teacher and band director.

Both resignations take effect immediately.

Next, board members placed Amy McFry as a special education program specialist effective Aug. 1. They also placed Thomas Baxley as an English teacher at Sand Rock School for the 2026-27 school year, pending certification.

The board approved Kyonna Baker’s transfer from Centre Middle School to Cherokee County High School. Baker will continue working as a special education teacher during the 2026-27 school year, pending certification.

For classified staff, the board placed Abby Bannister as a board-certified behavior analyst effective Aug. 1. Members also placed Shelly Helkins as a countywide special education paraprofessional with bus aide responsibilities, pending verification of position requirements.

The board also approved several contract employees. Stephen Wayne Westbrook will serve as an extended-leave temporary bus driver at Spring Garden School.

Meanwhile, Colleen McGinnis will serve as an extended-leave temporary elementary teacher at Cedar Bluff School from August through October. Haley Allen will fill that position from November through May, pending completion of Jacksonville State University requirements.

In addition, Jeremy Benson will serve as a Cherokee County High School band instructor. The district will pay Benson $2,500 using CCHS band and energy savings funds.

Members also approved a leave of absence for Kiley May Williams, an elementary teacher at Cedar Bluff School.

Substitutes and Volunteers

For the 2026-27 school year, the board renewed 15 substitute employees. The renewal list includes Judy Bell, Rebecca Clark Meadows, David East, Marilyn Eversman, Jeff Formby, Brittany Gaudreau, Misty Lowe, Brylie McDaniel, Rebecca Parris, Regina Rogers, Keon Rucker, Autumn Sides, Celena Sides, Makenze Simpson, and Stephen Westbrook.

In addition, the board added Christen Cullen, Patricia McHan, and Brenda Peek as new substitutes. Cullen must complete substitute training.

Finally, board members approved eight extended-family volunteers. The list includes Laure Clemons, Daphne Rogers, Kathy Faircloth, Leslie Mobbs, Shaliyah Reece, April Dillingham, Gayla Bearden, and Alicia Martinez.

The Cherokee County Board of Education will meet again Monday, Aug. 10, at 4 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Central Office in Centre.