The second and final 2027 budget hearing took place during the September 14th Cherokee County Board of Education meeting. Before voting on the budget, Chief Financial Officer Robin Cunningham reviewed the expected revenues and expenditures, noting a positive balance. After the hearing, the Board approved the budget.
The members then heard Cenergistic Energy Specialist Russell Jacoway’s summary of audits and issues. Every school averaged less than one issue per visit. Jacoway stated that all schools were above 30% cost avoidance savings and that, despite the excessive heat, the system saved more money on energy than the previous year.
The Board approved the following personnel actions:
-Hiring of Stacey Mackey (Sand Rock temporary part-time Elementary Interventionist at Sand Rock) and Lisa Burt (Sand Rock temporary part-time Certified Secondary Tutor).
-Contract Employment for Tara Blanchard and James Myrick.
-Leave of absence requests from Tonya Jacobs (Gaylesville Elementary teacher), Cortney Joseph (Gaylesville parapro), and Tina Goza (Gaylesville Bus Driver).
-Extended leave requests for Beverly Mobbs (Cedar Bluff substitute), Tobe Hensley (Gaylesville bus driver substitute), Montana Hunter (Gaylesville substitute), Stephanie Gentry (Gaylesville parapro), and Stacy Payne (Spring Garden substitute)
-Substitute renewals for Scott Hays and Tom Baxley.
-Supplements for Cash Allen as Gaylesville’s head basketball coach ($5,703) and B team coach ($2,104).
In other business the Board accepted the Sand Rock School beverage bid from Coca-cola and approved the participation of the CCHS girls basketball team in a tournament at Gulf Shores High School Nov. 20-24. Travel will be funded by the CCHS Tip-Off Club.
The Board declared September as Attendance Awareness Month and October as Statewide Parent & Family Engagement Month.
Superintendent Mike Welsh noted that system enrollment is at 3,363. If the number holds, it will be more than the average daily membership from last year.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.
