School Board Names New Cherokee High Facilities, Celebrates Academic Gains

<p><em>Woodstock Community News| Woodstock, GA</em></p><p>The Cherokee County School Board unanimously approved naming rights for the new Cherokee High School athletic facilities and celebrated the district’s highest-ever College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores during its meeting on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.</p><p>With the new replacement Cherokee High School campus set to open this August, the Board accepted recommendations from a community committee to preserve local history. The new football field will carry the name of the late Tommy Baker, a student for whom the current field has been named since 1958. The stadium will be officially designated as Warrior Stadium. Additionally, the gymnasium, baseball/softball complex, and practice field will be named for alumnus and philanthropist Ken White, Class of 1959.</p><p>During the meeting, officials recognized several Woodstock-area schools for achieving top marks on the state’s accountability system. Etowah High School and River Ridge High School were honored as "Top Performers" with overall scores of 90 or above. Woodstock High School, Woodstock Middle School, and Little River Elementary School were among those named "Merit Performers" for scoring 85 or higher.</p><p>Looking toward the 2025-26 fiscal year, the Board reviewed a budget outlook that forecasts decreases in both federal and state funding due to a decline in student enrollment. To address financial planning, the Board scheduled public millage rate hearings for April 2 and April 16, with a final budget vote set for April 23. The Board also passed a resolution urging state legislators to cap annual residential property value growth to help stabilize tax bills for homeowners.</p><p>In personnel matters affecting local families, the Board appointed Victoria Brown as the new assistant principal for Etowah High School. Brown, a district graduate and current head softball coach at Etowah, fills the vacancy left by the upcoming retirement of Dr. Curt Ashley.</p>