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Cherokee County School Board approves routine policies, renewals and personnel; moves to executive session
Summary
At its July 24, 2025 meeting the Cherokee County School Board approved six policies on final reading (including CIPA language), renewed partnership agreements, approved the 2025–26 governance training plan, accepted tribunal-panel and personnel recommendations, and entered executive session.
The Cherokee County School Board on July 24 approved a slate of routine actions including six policies on final reading, renewal of several partnership agreements, the 2025–26 local board governance training plan, tribunal-panel appointments and a public personnel agenda, then moved into executive session for a personnel matter.
Mr. McGowan briefed the board on the six policies brought back for final reading, noting one change to policy IFBG (internet acceptable use) to incorporate language suggested by the State Department of Education referencing the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). After a motion, second and a voice vote, the board approved the policies.
The board also approved renewal agreements with community partners: a new agreement with the Cherokee Youth Foundation (which works with Cherokee Impact on student soccer and teacher-led clubs), and continued agreements with the Marine Corps League and Walden University. When a board member asked about Marine Corps League activities, district staff said the group runs an essay contest and often invites ROTC students to participate in community events.
Mr. McGowan told the board the school year 2025–26 local board governance training plan was developed by the school board attorney and complies with state Board of Education and statutory requirements; the plan was approved by vote.
On personnel, the board approved the personnel agenda and the superintendent recognized Austin Richards as the district’s new director for information security, noting his roughly 18 years in the field and prior work supervising cybersecurity operations at the Georgia System Operations Corporation. The superintendent thanked Richards and his family for attending.
Before adjourning to executive session for a personnel matter described as "growth and improvement," the board approved tribunal-panel appointments required by state law to hear certain certificated personnel and long-term student suspension cases.
The meeting opened with guest Emmy Richards leading the Pledge of Allegiance and included a series of recognitions for teachers, students and the communications department.
