The Cherokee County School District this evening celebrated the swearing in of the Cherokee County School Board’s new chair and two re-elected board members.

Janet Read Welch, who previously served on the board for 11 years including one term as the first countywide elected chair before stepping down in June 2015, was elected without opposition in November to serve as board chair for four years.

Board members Kelly Poole, who represents District 1 and has served for nine years, and Patsy Jordan, who represents District 2 and has served for 12 years, both were re-elected without opposition in November to serve for another four years.

All three took the oath of office, administered by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood, during a special ceremony in the school board auditorium.  

The ceremony, brief called meeting and reception that followed were attended by family, friends, fellow board members, other local elected officials, longtime school district business and community partners, other special guests, and Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis and her senior staff.

The ceremony follows nine months of work by the board to increase its cohesiveness as a governance team through a series of special whole board training sessions focused on critically important collaborative work including defining core beliefs, writing governance policy, and setting student performance goals.  

Ms. Read Welch, in preparation for her role, attended a series of induction meetings in the fall with Superintendent Davis and senior staff and attended whole board training. 

Cherokee County School Board Chair Janet Read Welch is sworn into office by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood, with the Bible held by her husband, Jan, and joined by her son, Lucas.

Ms. Read Welch and the re-elected board members each made remarks as part of the ceremony.

“I’m excited and humbled to be the Cherokee County School Board chair again,” she said in her remarks, noting her parents’ longtime dedication to helping others inspired her civic service.  “They both showed me the importance of giving back to the community with their time, talent and money.” 

Cherokee County School Board member Kelly Poole is sworn into office by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood, with the Bible held by her husband, Jim, and joined by her son, James.

Ms. Poole thanked voters for the “incredible honor” of re-election, adding that while she is elected by one post, she views her role as serving the “entire school district.”

“I want what is best for students and teachers in Cherokee County,” she said.

Cherokee County School Board member Patsy Jordan is sworn into office by Cherokee County Probate Court Judge Keith Wood, with the Bible held by her mother, Edna, and joined by her sister, Shelley.

Ms. Jordan said she carries the “love and trust” of her supportive community as she makes decisions on the board.

“Education has always been my passion,” said Ms. Jordan, who retired from a teaching career in the school district, “and serving our community is an honor and responsibility I don’t take lightly.”   

During the called meeting, the board elected Ms. Jordan to serve a one-year term as vice chair.

Thank you to the Cherokee County Educational Foundation for sponsoring the reception.

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