CCSD Celebrates Cherokee HS Construction Milestone

From left, Cherokee HS junior Aven Wright, Teasley MS eighth-grader Lorelai Bird and Freedom MS eighth-grader Dylan McBride sign the beam as part of the ceremony.

The Cherokee County School District today rose to new heights with a major milestone in the construction of the new Cherokee High School.

[GALLERY: See more photos online here and see a video of the beam rising online here]

Carroll Daniel Construction, the company building the new replacement campus in Canton, celebrated the “topping out” placement of the last structural beam by hosting the special ceremony.  School Board members and other special guests, including educators, students, community partners, and past principals, participated in the special event.

“Today, we celebrate Cherokee High School’s legacy and our dedication to building for our future and the continued success of our students with the construction of this new campus,” Superintendent of Schools Mary Elizabeth Davis said.  “We are truly elevating the excellence as we lift this beam to top off our newest and largest high school.  I’m so thankful for our community’s support to build a new home for our amazing Cherokee High School teachers and students for generations to come.”   

The new campus, under construction on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in the RiverStone shopping district adjacent to Teasley Middle School, replaces the district’s oldest high school, which opened in 1956.  Within budget and on schedule to open in August 2026, the new school has been designed to accommodate current students and growth up to a total enrollment of more than 3,000 students.  It includes 152 classrooms, a 1,000-seat auditorium, and a 4,500-seat football stadium among its features.  There are no plans to change the attendance boundary lines for the school – the entire enrollment will move to the new school when it opens.

The $179 Million construction cost is being funded, as approved by voters, with Education Special Local Option Sales Tax (Ed SPLOST) revenue and associated bonding.  The school district also earned $31 Million from the state government to help pay the cost.

As part of the event, guests applauded the many men and women who were busy laboring on the project, signed the final beam before it was raised and placed and enjoyed breakfast together.

Carroll Daniel President Brian Daniel and project manager Cody Ledford; project architect Kenneth Moore from MSSA-PBK also shared remarks, as did Cherokee HS junior Aven Wright, Freedom MS eighth-grader Dylan McBride, Teasley MS eighth-grader Lorelai Bird, Cherokee HS Principal Andy Hall, School Board Chair Kyla Cromer, School Board member Dr. Susan Padgett-Harrison, who also is a past principal of Cherokee HS; and CCSD Chief Support Services Officer Trey Moores. 

“This is a landmark day for Cherokee High School,” said Dr. Padgett-Harrison, who also is a CHS graduate.  “We’re so thankful for this up-to-date site because our students deserve it.  ‘Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior!’”

The students spoke of their excitement about the new school and appreciation of all who have played a role in the project.  “Thank you for investing in our education,” Lorelai said.  Dylan, who described himself as a “future Warrior,’ said he felt “filled with hope and inspired for the future.”  Aven shared that while the history of the current campus has shaped so many memories, with the new campus “the future is bright for Cherokee and our Warrior Nation.”

Other special guests included School Board member Kelly Poole, Cherokee HS 2024 Teacher of the Year Hillary Baxter, Cherokee HS 2024 Support Staff Employee of the Year school nurse Ana Maria Scoretz, Cherokee Zone Principals, PTA leaders, past Cherokee HS Principals including Rodney Larrotta, Dr. Debra Murdock and Bill Sebring and past Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower, who was recognized for initiating the long-awaited project.

Members of the Superintendent’s senior staff and Support Services division also attended, as did community leaders including county Board of Commissioners Chairman Harry Johnston and County Manager Geoff Morton and Canton leaders including Mayor Bill Grant, council members and the city manager.
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