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October 11, 2026

Georgia Opens Applications For New School Support Program

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Georgia students outperform national average on ACT

Public school districts across Georgia, including Chattooga County Schools and Trion City Schools, have an opportunity to apply for a new round of specialized assistance designed to help schools better address students’ academic, behavioral and overall well-being needs.

October 7, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga Schools Developing Districtwide Literacy Plan

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Chattooga County Schools are working toward completion of a districtwide literacy plan as educators continue professional development and efforts to strengthen reading instruction throughout the school system.

September 29, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

EPD Investigating New Environmental Complaint At Chattooga County School Bus Garage

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The Georgia Environmental Protection Division is investigating a new complaint involving the Chattooga County Schools Transportation Department, while Superintendent Michelle Helie says a similar complaint earlier this year was investigated and ultimately determined to be unfounded.

September 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

School Leaders Explain What E-SPLOST Renewal Means For Chattooga County Voters

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When Chattooga County voters go to the polls in November, one of the local questions they will encounter concerns the continuation of a one-percent sales tax that has helped finance school construction, renovations, technology, security and other capital needs for nearly three decades.

September 28, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga Schools Gain National Attention For Dramatic Drop In Chronic Absenteeism

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Chattooga County Schools are receiving national attention for dramatically reducing chronic absenteeism, bringing the district’s rate below where it stood before the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 15, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga County Board Of Education Meeting Set For Thursday

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The Chattooga County Board of Education will hold its regular September meeting later this week.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, from 6 until 8 PM at the Chattooga County Education Center, 206 Penn Street in Summerville.

Under the school system’s 2026-2027 meeting schedule, the Board of Education normally meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6 PM, with exceptions during October, February and April.

The September meeting comes as the school system moves further into the 2026-2027 academic year.

The school board is currently chaired by Lori Brady, with Tiffany Lawrence serving as vice-chair. Other members are Chad Dodd, Bonnie Fletcher and Derrick Eckroat. Dr. Michelle Helie serves as superintendent of Chattooga County Schools.

Thursday’s meeting is open to the public. The school system also provides a formal process for members of the public who wish to participate in board meetings.

The Chattooga County Board of Education September meeting begins at 6 PM Thursday at the Chattooga County Education Center on Penn Street in Summerville.

August 13, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga Milestones Results Show Bright Spot In Elementary Math, Challenges In Other Areas

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Georgia students outperform national average on ACT

New Georgia Milestones results are providing a look at how Chattooga County students performed in mathematics, science and social studies during the 2025-2026 school year, with the results showing both areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.

August 9, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Chattooga Mountain Education Going Phone-Free With Yondr Pouches Beginning Monday

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Students at Chattooga Mountain Education will enter a new phone-free learning environment beginning Monday, August 10, as the school implements the Yondr phone pouch system.

August 9, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Walker County Board Of Education Plans Full Millage Rollback For 2026

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The Walker County Board of Education plans to adopt a full rollback millage rate of 14.013 mills during its meeting on Monday, August 17.

According to information released by Walker County Schools, the rollback rate is calculated using the previous year’s millage rate minus the millage equivalent of the total net assessed value added through property reassessments.

A public hearing on the proposed 2026 millage rate will be held at 6 p.m. on August 17 in the boardroom of the Walker County Department of Education, located at 301 N. Cherokee Street in LaFayette.

School district officials say they continue to work to balance the growing needs of students with efforts to keep local taxes as low as possible while also maximizing state funding.

Walker County Schools noted that over the past six years, the district has either lowered or maintained its millage rate. In 2019, the rate stood at 17.404 mills. For 2026, the district plans to adopt the full rollback rate of 14.013 mills.

All concerned citizens are invited to attend the public hearing.

August 8, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Georgia Students Near Pre-Pandemic Levels On Milestones Testing

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Georgia students are continuing to make academic gains, with the latest Georgia Milestones results showing performance in several subjects now near or at levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic.