Cherokee County Board of Education Approves Budget Amendment, Partnerships and Personnel Changes at February Meeting

Centre- The Cherokee County Board of Education met for its regular board meeting Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at 4 p.m. at the Central Office in Centre.

The meeting opened with a call to order, followed by an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a welcome. Board members conducted roll call and established a quorum. Officials confirmed that proper procedures for public notification of the meeting had been followed. There were no noted public comments before the board moved forward with business.

Board members approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the Jan. 12, 2026 meeting. The board also approved Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Amendment 1.

Several proclamations and resolutions were adopted during the meeting. The board declared February 2026 as Career and Technical Education Month and adopted a resolution recognizing Feb. 17, 2026 as School Resource Officer Appreciation Day.

The board received an update on the Cenergistic energy program and approved a contract with the company. Members also approved a revised 2026–2027 academic calendar.

A proposal from Performance Based Education Company, Inc. was approved to provide a six-day ACT student coaching and preparation program for Cherokee County High School. The program will be funded through a College and Career Readiness (CCR) grant.

Board members approved an amended energy savings budget for Cedar Bluff School, adding $1,300 for janitorial supplies.

Two higher education partnership agreements were approved. The first was a Memorandum of Understanding with Jacksonville State University for 2025 and beyond. The second was a Practical Field Experience Site Agreement with the University of Alabama’s Department of Human Nutrition, allowing the district to serve as a training site for students in the program.

The board reviewed a revised wellness policy.

Travel requests were approved for two student groups. Kara Dodd and FCCLA students will attend the FCCLA State Conference at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel on March 5–6, funded by Vocational/Perkins funds. Will Dodd and FFA students will attend the State Livestock Judging Contest at Garrett Coliseum on March 10–11, funded by FFA.

Personnel actions were approved in several categories.

Retirements included Ernest Dewayne Gregg, physical education teacher at Cedar Bluff School, who will retire effective June 1, 2026 after 25 years of service, pending TRS approval; and Leanne McCain, school nurse at Cedar Bluff School, who will retire effective June 1, 2026 after 21 years of service, also pending TRS approval.

In certified placement, Cole Murphy was approved as teacher and head football coach at Cedar Bluff School beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.

For contract employment, Caley Bruce was approved as a non-certified tutor in a temporary, part-time position at Cedar Bluff School, pending background clearance and funded by 21st CCLC.

Leaves of absence were approved for Christopher Butts, paraprofessional at Cedar Bluff School; James Bayley Blanchard and Andrew McBrayer, teachers at Cherokee County High School; Tonya Jacobs, elementary teacher at Gaylesville School; and Emory Blanchard, teacher at Spring Garden School.

The board approved the creation of two new positions: a maintenance worker and a special education nurse paraprofessional with bus responsibilities.

Substitute updates included the renewal of Kathryn Banks and the approval of new substitutes Haley Allen, Amber Day, Kaci Gilham, Emily Shankles, Breonica Holcomb and Claire Williams.

Volunteer approvals included Bryant Yoder for Spring Garden track and cross country and Braden Sharp for Gaylesville baseball.

The board approved a supplement revision removing the Gaylesville softball JV/JH supplement from Steve Baker and assigning the role to Amber Whitaker, adjusting the stipend from $3,593 to $1,474.

Professional development was approved, and current job postings were reviewed.

During the superintendent’s update, Superintendent Welsh presented school system updates and recognitions.

The board announced its next meeting will be held Monday, March 9, 2026, at 4 p.m. at the Central Office in Centre. The meeting was then adjourned.

https://weisradio.com/2026/02/05/cherokee-county-board-of-education-to-meet-february-9th/

https://weisradio.com/2026/01/12/cherokee-county-board-of-education-holds-jan-meeting/