School Board Reviews Record CCRPI Scores, Legislative Priorities

<p>Cherokee County School District achieves highest-ever state accountability scores with notable gains in student learning growth across all grade levels.</p><p>Woodstock Community News | Woodstock, GA</p><p>The Cherokee County School Board reviewed the district's highest-ever College and Career Ready Performance Index scores at its Nov. 20 meeting, with particularly strong gains showing students are learning at faster rates than academically similar peers statewide. The results affect all Woodstock-area schools including Woodstock Elementary and Woodstock High School.</p><p>The CCRPI scores combine student achievement from Georgia Milestones tests, course enrollment data, and graduation rates into four category scores. The district saw its most notable gains in Progress, which measures learning growth compared to similar students across Georgia. High schools jumped nearly nine points to reach 94.0, nearly 12 points above the state average and highest in the region. Elementary schools gained four points and middle schools gained 4.7 points in Progress scores.</p><p>Chief Academics and Accountability Officer Dr. Josh Heath attributed the gains to the board's investment in new instructional resources for K-12 English and math, along with professional development programs. These include customized training sessions at schools, weekly online sessions, and the Cherokee Instructional Leaders Cohort, a new leadership development program for nearly 300 district teachers.</p><p>The board also adopted its 2026 Legislative Partnership Priorities report, which includes a new request for state lawmakers to support local legislation capping annual residential property value growth for Cherokee County homeowners. The board expressed concerns about House Bill 845 compliance after receiving only one auditor name from the state delegation instead of an anticipated list, with questions raised about procurement requirements. Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis said staff will seek clarity from the delegation and consult the board attorney.</p><p>In other business, the board approved Emily Chaffer, an eight-year educator and Etowah High School alumna currently teaching fourth grade at Bascomb Elementary, to serve as assistant principal at Woodstock Elementary. The board also heard from Woodstock High School Student Delegate Nate Amakelew, who shared insights from the student delegates' session with the Human Resources team.</p>