https://www.cherokeek12.org/en-US/board-of-education-f77c17fd

CENTRE– The Cherokee County Board of Education met Monday, July 13, at its Central Office in Centre. The agenda included salary schedules, assessment results, bids, budgets and personnel actions.

First, the board planned to consider the 2026-2027 salary schedules. Stephen Ingram also planned to present an overview of student assessment results.

Financial Reports, Bids and Energy Budgets

The board planned to receive its May 2026 financial report. The report included the bank reconciliation and cash balance through May 31.

In addition, the agenda included a $62,350 bid from Singer/H&R Supply. The company submitted the only responsive and responsible bid for a serving line at Gaylesville School.

The board also planned to extend its dairy agreement with Borden Dairy Company. The 12-month extension would run from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

Meanwhile, the board planned to consider two energy savings budgets. The budgets cover Cherokee County High School and Gaylesville School during the 2026-2027 school year.

Retirement, Resignations and Transfers

The personnel agenda included the immediate retirement of Gigi Clausen. Clausen taught English at Sand Rock School and completed 27.5 years with the school system.

The agenda also included two immediate resignations. Justin Jacobs served as a special education teacher at Gaylesville School. Brenda Reynolds served as a special education paraprofessional.

Additionally, the board planned to consider two certified transfers. Both transfers would take effect during the 2026-2027 school year.

Jaycie Newton would move from Centre Elementary School to an elementary teaching position at Spring Garden School.

Carly Miller would move from history and English to family and consumer sciences at Spring Garden School.

Certified Personnel Placements

The agenda names Ashley Clowdis as special education director, effective Aug. 1.

For the upcoming school year, Joan Davis would teach mathematics at Cedar Bluff School. Abby Whisenhunt would serve as a special education teacher at Centre Elementary School.

Alexis Cooper Brock would teach family and consumer sciences at Cherokee County High School. However, that placement requires background clearance and certification.

Josh Agan would serve as a special education teacher at Gaylesville School. His placement also requires background clearance and certification.

In addition, Jordan Sides would teach history and English at Spring Garden School. That placement remains pending certification.

Hannah Prater would serve as a health science instructor at the Cherokee County Career Technology Center. Her placement also remains pending certification.

Classified Personnel Placements

The classified personnel list includes Samantha Hester as a systemwide special education paraprofessional.

Brittney Crawfoot and Lexie Farrar would serve as systemwide special education paraprofessionals with bus aide responsibilities. Both placements require background clearance and verification of qualifications.

The agenda also names Kimberly Gowens as a special education paraprofessional. Her placement requires background clearance.

Meanwhile, Katherine “Katie” Garrett would serve as a child nutrition worker at Sand Rock School. That placement also requires background clearance.

Alexyess Dodd would serve as a special education paraprofessional with bus aide responsibilities. Dodd must complete the required qualifications.

Tutors and Band Camp Instructors

The contract employment list includes Ann Miller and April Young as temporary, part-time certified tutors. Both positions remain subject to budget approval.

The agenda also includes several Cherokee County High School band camp instructors.

Katie Letson and Hayden Barnes would each receive $1,250. Wyatt Van Horn would receive $400.

Mary Wade, Joseph Luzier, Hannah Chandler and Aaron Trevino would each receive $500. In addition, Logan Seales would receive $600.

Jordan Blodgett would receive $1,000, pending background clearance. The Cherokee County High School band will fund each instructor.

Principal Contracts and Supplemental Pay

The board planned to consider probationary principal contracts for Matthew Pharr and Kyle Garmon.

Pharr serves as principal at Cherokee County High School. Garmon serves as principal at Spring Garden School.

The agenda also includes supplemental basketball pay funded by the Cherokee County High School Tip Off Club.

Richard Barton would receive $5,109. Meanwhile, Zack Highfield, Florence Major and Caleb Hays would each receive $928.

Additional Personnel and Board Business

Other personnel items include a new internal 21st Century Program director position. A 21st Century grant will fund that position.

The board also planned to consider a leave request from Valerie Martin. Martin teaches elementary students at Cedar Bluff School.

Additionally, the agenda included professional development, job postings and substitute renewals.

Superintendent Welsh planned to provide school system updates and recognitions.

The board scheduled its next meeting for Monday, July 27, at 4 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Central Office at 200 Armory Road in Centre.

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