Schools

Wofford Won't Seek Re-Election; Chapman Enters BOE Race

Incumbent Cherokee school board member Robert Wofford won't seek a second term. Former board member Mike Chapman will run for the District 6 seat.

An incumbent Cherokee County School Board member will not seek re-election, paving the way for a longtime former board member to launch his efforts to join the board.

District 6 board member Robert Wofford of Canton announced on Thursday he will not seek a second term to the board. Wofford's decision was followed by an announcement that former board member Mike Chapman of Canton will seek the seat in the May 20 Republican primary.

The District 6 seat covers parts of Canton, west and northwest Cherokee County.

After more than 30 years of working in the district in positions ranging from teacher, principal to personnel director, Wofford said he feels Cherokee is in "great hands with its leadership team, teachers, support staff, students and parents as we move toward the future."

"As a Cherokee native, I have seen the system grow to become the best in the state of Georgia," Wofford said. 

Wofford has thrown his support behind Chapman, who in 2012 was drawn out of his post by the reapportionment process.

"He and I both believe that the school board needs to focus on these priorities: reducing class size, increasing employee morale and reducing debt," Wofford added.

Chapman, who served 11 years on the board before he retired, declined to seek the board chair seat created by the redistricting process. Board member Janet Read, who was also drawn out of her post, subsequently ran for and won the seat.

"It is my humble opinion that we need  to regain our focus on teaching and learning and making sure our community’s tax dollars are spent in the most efficient and productive manner possible," Chapman said in a statement. "That is why I have decided to re-enter the political arena and run for school board."

Chapman, plant manager at Morrison Products, has lived with wife Mary and their two sons in Canton for 24 years. Their sons are graduates of the Cherokee County School District.

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