Others hung around outside, planning to watch the livestream of the meeting on their phones. Kelly Poole District 1. But the yelling continued. Any website our stories appear on must include a prominent and effective way to contact you. . "There was a guy from the county . Kahaian emphasized how to grab attention during upcoming school board meetings. Miranda Wicker: Most recently, our School Board has failed to follow the science of the spread and transmission of COVID-19 in demonstrable and adequate ways. But that doesn't mean there's not room for improvement. Cromer moved to take a break. What's at Stake in the Wake County School Board Elections. The 1776 Project PAC, founded last year by author and OANN political correspondent Ryan Girdusky, had been singling out open school board seats across the country and supporting candidates who ran on platforms to ban CRT and the 1619 Project. Why would the current board vote 7-0 to bring in someone to implement programs not in alignment with the family values of our community?, In March of 2022, the 4CanDoMore candidates got a boost. But thats not what this is about. Early voting for school board elections in Cherokee County started Thursday, March 31. Our entire community deserves better, from students to teachers to those they come into contact with after leaving the building each day. 310 Maple Grove Ct Canton, GA 30114 678.895.9044. kelly.poole@cherokeek12.net. Officials in the Cobb County School District, the second-largest in the state, called Lewis soon after. One slide included a photo of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin atop Floyd, his knee pinned to Floyds neck, along with two questions that challenged educators in how they approach lessons about such controversies: What can we share with our black students to help them cope with the bottom? What did the man on top miss out on learning that could have made him a better person?. Cherokee County was one of two Georgia counties with candidates backed by the New York-based 1776 Project Political Action Committee or PAC. That same day following an increase in social media posts, emails and phone calls complaining about Lewis and CRT the district installed metal detectors and assigned extra security at the county building where school board meetings are held. They had to be rushed out of the room, Jacoby recalled. That relatability is how she was first recruited for the board's at-large seat four years ago. What had I missed? At River Valley, Kory Dausel and Sharleen Duncan vie for the open District 4 seat, and. He would not be surprised if the board agrees on a long-range consolidation plan within the year. Lewis recalled that a district official finally called her back toward the end of July to apologize for the delayed response and explained that the superintendent had been involved in vetting her hiring, something that typically doesnt happen for a person who applies for a supervisor role. Lewis missed the part when Miranda Wicker, another parent and member of the countys Democratic Party, addressed the board. He personally is interested in consolidating the Murphy school district, much like the Andrews district was consolidated when Marble closed. We must focus on dispelling the myths of mental illness, train our teachers in how to spot signs and help students who may be struggling, and begin having community conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. But there was one agenda item that would inspire the crowd to take more urgent action than any other: They had to figure out what to do about the Cherokee County School Districts decision to hire a woman named Cecelia Lewis. Tatham believes the county is already several decades behind in consolidating school campuses, although he does catch himself getting emotional about the ongoing situation. Miranda Wicker: I have not previously held an elected or appointed political office. Even before any potential shake-up on the school board, some changes have already arrived in the Cherokee County School District. His biggest concern is the logistical challenges of having just one high school in the county, including what it means for athletic teams traveling farther for away games. We can change that, right?. What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police? Ellis said he loves small schools like the ones in Andrews, Hiwassee Dam and Murphy. The 4CanDoMore candidates were the 1776 Project PACs first endorsements of 2022. After that April call from the school district official, Lewis was confused but remained optimistic. Sign up for Dispatches, a newsletter that spotlights wrongdoing around the country, to receive our stories in your inbox every week. ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power. She went with them and the school board members as security guards ushered the group to a conference room behind the dais. It is an independently run public school granted greater flexibility in its operations, in return for greater accountability for performance. The Cobb Board did pass a resolution which directs the District to focus on keeping schools, schools, not on political distractions. When asked to elaborate on what was inaccurate or inconsistent, the spokesperson did not respond. 2019 Gold Leaf Parkway Canton, GA 30114. In the school setting, dismantling systemic racism looks like examining our discipline referrals for Black and minority students to determine if their referral rates match their school population demographics. Our panelists offer their insights on how we got here and what we can expect this week. Through our budgeting process, I can submit priorities that my constituents and I believe will be most beneficial to the school district. I have extensive financial/accounting knowledge and have taken advantage of opportunities to attend additional school board member training to ensure that I am following school board policy and Georgia law. In the meantime, I will continue to wear my mask and practice physical distancing and do my part to keep my community safe. Kelly Poole: Voters should trust me, because I have a proven track record during my time on the school board. The secretary of states office estimated more than twice as many Georgians will vote Tuesday than what we saw on Election Day in 2020. Parent Holly Jones moved to Cherokee County in 1995 and has a child still in the system. When we look at the jobs people are doing and we re-allocate those jobs to others who can help, we make the work easier for everyone. Though the school districts population is 30% Black and 24% Hispanic, the school board majority remains white and conservative. Feb. 5Editor's Note: Primary elections are set for Tuesday, March 1, and the Progress has reached out to candidates in the contested races to give voters an introduction to the people on the ballot. . They were part of a four-candidate slate attempting to gain a majority for a . Around that same time, according to Lewis, several emails and handwritten letters were showing up at her school in Maryland, calling her a Black Yankee and saying her liberal thinking is unwanted. If you like our stories, mind sharing this with a friend? Another parent wrote to a school board member, citing Cherokee Countys recent census statistics: Did you know that 77.8% of the population is considered whtie [sic] alone 7.7% are black and 11.1% hispanic? Kelly Poole: I am conservative with taxpayer dollars and do not believe that we should spend money just for the sake of spending money. I just told her that someone would give her a call back to address her questions.. Mathews is a former principal and assistant principal in Cherokee County Schools, who in recent years returned to the classroom. Its hard to weigh these things, Mathews said. I will serve our families and always speak up for whats best for all of them. CANTON Republican candidates for the Cherokee County School Board District 6 answered questions Tuesday about the state of the school district and changes that they would make if elected to the school board. Any voter worried about long lines at the polls were encouraged to check their countys website for wait times and polling locations before going to vote. March 13, 2023 - 9:30 a.m Cherokee County Elections Office 193 Lamar Haley Parkway, Canton, GA 30114 Why has Cecelia Lewis been hired by Cobb? When Lewis and her husband actually relocated to Georgia later that summer, the Cherokee parents private Facebook group lit up. Its going all over the country, and its having real impacts., The next day, Cherokee County parents used their private Facebook group to continue to report Lewis sightings. (People with access to the group shared screenshots of posts with ProPublica. Ellis said he is concerned about all the costs of closing a school, including 16-year-old students driving a longer distance, the financial drain the farther distance can have on families and what will happen to the communities. You cant use our work to populate a website designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements. Tatham said if funding wasnt issue, he would support keeping all the schools as is. A primary was scheduled for May 24, 2022. He thinks his experience gives him an interesting perspective for his role as school board member he is familiar with all the schools, plus works in district that has already consolidated schools. "It's hard to get more people to run," county GOP Chairman Bennie Jo McKinnon said. If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success? Last Modified on Feb 21, 2023. . State Rep. Brad Thomas, a Republican, spoke next. No lines longer than 20 to 30 minutes were reported in Cherokee County before the end of the lunch rush, a poll worker in Holly Springs said. Could I have done something to stop this? Normally, school board elections dont get a lot of attention. We do not generally permit translation of our stories into another language. While we are fortunate to have well-funded schools, we should always evaluate our spending to ensure the allocations we've made make the most financial sense for our students and teachers. School board meetings would be their battlefield. She taught in the district from 1992 to 2001 and worries now about possible teacher intimidation. In May, two of the 4CanDoMore candidates lost their primary bids to incumbents. On May 18, 2021, two days after the meeting at the clubhouse, Cherokee Countys schools communications chief and its school board members received the first of approximately 100 form letters that would flood their inboxes over a 48-hour period, demanding that Lewis be fired. Thanks for signing up. Cherokee County Voter Registration and Election Board. The following month, inside a gabled white clubhouse overlooking the hills of a Cherokee County golf course, dozens of parents from across the county had assembled on a Sunday afternoon for a lesson in an emerging form of warfare. In Cherokee, Brian Freed, Kelly Lundell, and Ray Mullins Jr. seek two open seats. Cecelia Lewis initially was reluctant to talk about her experience in Georgia. Identify the best speakers in the group, she told them, adding: Its OK to be emotional. Be sure to capture video of them addressing the board or even consider hiring a professional videographer. Minority students need to see and experience teachers who look like them; majority students need to see and experience teachers who don't. Teachers and district equity officers surveyed and interviewed for the report often described feeling attacked and at risk for discussing issues of race or racism at all, or promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in any way. There is no candidate for the District 3 seat. The official Election Day is Tuesday, April 5, for Keys, Tahlequah and Woodall. The scene inside the May 20, 2021, Cherokee County School Board meeting, as Chair Kyla Cromer moves to adjourn. She also said she wants more funding for the arts. And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate? You cant sell our material separately or syndicate it. But by then shed made up her mind. I want to protect Andrews, but I want to protect it in a very open-minded way. The reopening plan stated that physical distancing would not be possible and masks would not be required and could not be enforced. You are not going there. He left the bedroom in disgust. Cherokee County was one of two Georgia counties with candidates backed by the New York-based 1776 Project . In a speech the previous fall, then-President Donald Trump condemned CRT as toxic propaganda and ideological poison.. The purpose of such jobs typically is to provide a more direct path for addressing disparities stemming from race, economics, disabilities and other factors. The candidate filing period for the statewide 2024 primary elections begins at noon on Monday, December 4, 2023, and ends at noon Friday, December 15, 2023. Floresta responded to a different email complaining about CRT, assuring the sender that it was not allowed to be taught per district policy. By mid-July, another metropolitan Atlanta school district was courting Lewis. (Lewis barely has a digital footprint. It reminded her of her community in southern Maryland, where everyone knew one another. As we discussed, it is never our intention, as an organization, for an employee to feel anything other [than] the support and collegiality associated with a positive and professional work environment, the email said. 89 Sycamore St.Murphy, NC 28906Phone:828-837-5122Fax:828-837-5832, 2023Cherokee Scout, Murphy, North Carolina. But by then she was living in Cobb County and decided to follow-up with the district there. Today our panel gives final thoughts on what they mean for Georgia's political future. 803-734-9060. She also recalled being surprised when someone from the district pointed out that a hiring like hers was rare, in that there were not many minority leaders working in the district. He wants to be able to provide supplements to our teachers. As a school board member, he believes he must do whats best for the kids, but hes also concerned about whats best for the towns. Miranda Wicker: The campaign to "defund" the police is a misnomer, and that's unfortunate because it's led to a great deal of confusion. These are our neighbors, said Leanne Etienne, a Black mother of two Cherokee County students, one of whom served on the superintendents ad hoc committee that led to the creation of the DEI position. Get in touch. However, her history was riddled with Critical Race Theory (CRT) ideologies in her previous school district. A post to a private Facebook page falsely claimed that Lewis was in Cherokee County and working for the school district. She was hired by Cherokee schools for CRT and was run off because the parents put up such a fight. Lewis who holds a masters degree in teaching the subject applied to replace her. You dont feel safe.. Doing so ensures we're making wise choices without raising millage rates on our community. In 2021, the 1776 Project PAC backed 69 school board candidates in eight states. We dont have to accept it, right? another man asked, the crowds energy rising in response with a collective yes. All Rights Reserved. (To inquire about syndication or licensing opportunities, contact. After asking the crowd to look at the Maryland district where Lewis was coming from, Heda wondered how Lewis could leave that at the border (she didnt elaborate on what that was) and how the longtime educator could come to Cherokee County and not want to change us. (Like Cherokee, the district where Lewis was a principal serves a majority-white county that voted for Trump in 2020 though Heda and others in the clubhouse seemed unaware of this.). The school districts chief communications officer, Barbara Jacoby, would later say thats when the students attending the meeting started crying. So, yes, I would be in favor of a mask mandate if one were issued. She claimed that CRT initiatives would be carried out by someone from Maryland in the form of programs synonymous with CRT: DEI and SEL (or social emotional learning). Candidates file at the appropriate county board of elections office or State Board, depending upon the contest. And that is what the Sixes community has become to us - family. She said shed been asked, before the Panera meeting, to prepare a presentation and share the social studies program vision. Their enemy was CRT. Because why do we need to pay $115,000 for somebody who doesnt have a job to do anymore?. It was a short drive to her soon-to-be office at the Cherokee County School District and less than a half hour to her husbands new corporate assignment. Please know your concerns and feedback, as an individual and employee, were heard and valued., ProPublica submitted to the Cobb County School District and its school board a list of detailed questions about the hiring of Lewis, the community blowback and the changes to her job. If you share republished stories on social media, wed appreciate being tagged in your posts. I recognize that for some of our students college is not a goal and they want to leave high school ready to enter the workforce. Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? I just felt as if there was a misunderstanding, she said, and as soon as I [would] have an opportunity to get there and really speak on my own behalf, then it was going to be OK., She also felt comforted by the fact that school district officials were regularly checking in with her, offering reassurances that they were monitoring the situation and that everything would be OK once they get to know you.. He spent his earlier years teaching in Haywood County, before serving as assistant principal at Hiwassee Dam and Murphy elementary schools, then as principal at Martins Creek Elementary/Middle School, Murphy Elementary and, briefly, The Oaks Academy. And an increased number of security officers are strategically placed throughout the meeting room and beyond. It's a campaign to reallocate funding, to take work off the shoulders of the overworked, and to spread the load around to other community public servants, like social workers and mental health care workers. DEI-focused positions were becoming more common in districts across the country, following the 2020 protests over the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. In 2016, I became the non-profit's Director of Outreach and developed our grassroots ambassador program. Strong communities require strong community services. He retired from North Carolina in 2015 and today teaches Spanish at Union County High School in Blairsville, Ga. He has a close relationship with the principals at both schools, and has volunteered at the high school in both physical education and the weight room. I am respectfully asking for your vote on November 3rd to continue to represent you and your family. In response to questions from ProPublica, the school board provided a statement describing how some members requested school police escorts to their homes, where city and county agencies conducted extra patrols. And I mean that in the purest form of ignorance, of just not knowing. This issue is very personal for me and it breaks my heart to hear the difficulties families are facing. Great catching Up! he wrote. We need to create incentives to attract, retain and encourage more diverse educators to come to Cherokee County. There is no record of an email reply from Scamihorn. Noon, Tuesday January 17, 2023 - Noon, Monday July 17, 2023. Bring your ideas, energy, and enthusiasm, the meeting notice said. I want to see our teachers receive the training they need, not so that they can serve as counselors or so that we can add more to their responsibilities, but so they feel empowered to identify students struggling with mental health. 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