Honestly, trying to figure out how a school board operates can feel like reading a manual for a VCR from 1994. It’s dense, full of jargon, and usually, the only time people pay attention is when there’s a controversy or a snow day. But if you live in Cherokee County, the Cherokee Board of Education GA is basically the cockpit for your child's future. They control the money, the buildings, and the big-picture rules that trickle down into every classroom from Ball Ground down to Woodstock.
Right now, we are in a weirdly pivotal moment for the district. It’s 2026. The population is still exploding. The tax laws just did a backflip. And the board is trying to build schools fast enough to keep up with the moving trucks.
Who is actually in charge of the Cherokee Board of Education GA?
The board isn’t just one entity; it’s a group of seven elected officials who represent different slices of the county. As of early 2026, the roster is a mix of long-time locals and some relatively newer faces.
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Janet Read holds the gavel as the Board Chair. She’s joined by:
- Kelly Poole (District 1)
- Patsy Jordan (District 2)
- Chance Beam (District 3 - who was appointed to fill a vacancy through 2026)
- Rick Steiner (District 4 - yes, the former pro-wrestler, known formally as Robert Rechsteiner)
- Erin Ragsdale (District 5)
- Susan Padgett Harrison (District 6)
Then you have Dr. Mary Elizabeth Davis, the Superintendent. She stepped into the role in early 2024 and has been the one executing the board’s vision. She’s been pretty busy lately, especially since Governor Kemp tapped her to chair his statewide superintendent advisory committee.
The $700 Million Question: Where does the money go?
The FY2026 budget process was a bit of a nail-biter. Basically, the district is working with a total budget that hovers around $706 million. That sounds like a lot of cash—and it is—but the way it’s carved up tells you exactly what the board cares about.
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About $471 million of that goes to the "day-to-day" operations. Think teacher salaries, light bills, and diesel for the buses. But here is the kicker: the board is facing a $14 million revenue drop because voters approved a big expansion of the senior tax exemption. To make the math work, they had to slash central office expenses by 3% across the board.
Building for the boom
If you’ve driven through Canton lately, you’ve probably seen the dust clouds. The Cherokee Board of Education GA has been laser-focused on the new Cherokee High School replacement project. The old core campus is nearly 70 years old.
The new campus, located on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, is massive. It’s expected to open its doors in August 2026. This isn't just a building; it’s a $23 million site development project that includes a multi-story campus and an athletic complex. They are also working on:
- A new Free Home Elementary replacement.
- Classroom additions at Woodstock High and River Ridge High.
- A second gym for Creekview High.
What’s happening in the board room right now?
The board meetings have moved to a new structure lately. They do a work session at 5:30 p.m. and a regular meeting at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month. You can actually watch these on YouTube, which is surprisingly helpful if you want to know why a certain policy is changing.
In the most recent January 2026 sessions, the big talk was about the "1/13/26 Parent Message" regarding inclement weather (standard Georgia winter stress) and the "Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council." They are trying to get more feedback directly from the classrooms, which is a shift from the top-down style of years past.
The Tax Relief Tug-of-War
One of the most nuanced things the board is dealing with is House Bill 581. It’s this state law that creates a floating property tax cap. The board has been holding public hearings because they have the option to "opt out." If they don't opt out, they could lose $50 million in revenue over three years. But if they do opt out, taxpayers don't get that specific cap. It’s a classic "rock and a hard place" scenario. They want to keep the schools funded without making it impossible for people to afford their mortgages.
Navigating the CCSD system
If you're a parent or a resident, you've gotta use the tools the board provides. They’ve moved almost everything to Canvas for the kids and CCSD Connections for the parents.
- Job Fairs: They are aggressively hiring. There’s a big Job Fair coming up on March 7, 2026. They need special ed teachers and school psychologists specifically.
- Safety: The board just signed an agreement with the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) Crisis Recovery Network to bolster mental health and safety protocols.
- Innovation: They actually started an indoor rowing (erg) competition for middle schoolers. It’s part of a PE grant and it’s become a weirdly big deal in the local sports scene.
How to stay ahead of the curve
Don't just wait for an email from your principal. If you want to actually influence how the Cherokee Board of Education GA spends your tax dollars, you have to be proactive.
- Check the "Board Business Briefs": These are the SparkNotes of the meetings. If you don't have three hours to watch a livestream, read these.
- Monitor the Millage Rate: Every April, the board holds public hearings on the millage rate. This is where your property tax is actually decided.
- Engage with the Student Delegates: Every year, the board brings in student delegates to give feedback. If you have a high schooler, encourage them to talk to these delegates. It’s the shortest path from the cafeteria to the board room.
- Watch the Ed SPLOST: The 1% sales tax is what's building the new schools. It was renewed with 75% approval, but the board still has to report on every penny spent.
The district is aiming to be the highest-performing in Georgia. With record-high College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores recently, they are getting close. But keeping that momentum while building $100 million schools and cutting the budget is a high-wire act.
Actionable Next Steps
- Attend the next meeting: The next regular session is scheduled for February 12, 2026, at the Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo Educational Services Facility in Canton.
- Verify your tax exemptions: If you are a senior or a veteran, check the Cherokee County Tax Assessor’s site to ensure you’re getting the new 2025/2026 exemptions approved by the board.
- Download the "LIFT" Recaps: CCSD produces video recaps called "The Lift" after every board meeting. It's the fastest way to see what was voted on without the boring parts.