Mike Chapman, long-time Cherokee BOE member, Bids Farewell

Chapman, who was first elected in 1998, plans to focus on his work and his family after he leaves office, but "doesn't know" if he will re-enter politics.

After more than 10 years of service on the Cherokee County School Board, Canton resident Mike Chapman will soon leave behind his political career advocating for the Cherokee County School District. Chapman, 52, opted not to seek re-election after the reapportionment process left him without a district to run in. Chapman is a member of the Rotary Club of Canton and also serves as the chair of the Canton Building Authority and the G. Cecil Pruett Community Family YMCA.  Chapman and wife Mary have two adult children, Matt and Mark, who are both graduates of Cherokee High School. They are members of Canton First United Methodist Church. Chapman has lived in Cherokee County since 1989 when he opened a manufacturing facility in Canton. In the …

• Photos (1)

Michael Geist Defends Reputation

The Cherokee County Board of Education member said he needed to respond to accusations made last month by Board Chair Mike Chapman.

Despite not wanting to make waves during Cherokee County Board of Education Chairman Mike Chapman's last meeting, fellow board member Michael Geist said on Thursday night that he had to defend his reputation from comments Chapman made at the board's meeting in November. Geist said that Chapman accused Geist of trying to sway opinons and bully people at a meeting held regarding Cherokee Charter Academy.  "I made it clear at the start of this meeting that I was attending as nothing more than a CCA parent," Geist said. However, two days letter, a letter was sent to the Cherokee County School District stating that Geist had said he was attending as mediator and asked for the names of CCSD employees in attendance, allegations that Geist denies…

• Photos (1)

BOE Chair Mike Chapman Attacks Fellow Board Member

The county's longest serving school board member criticized fellow member Michael Geist for allegedly violating board policy during the board's meeting on Thursday.

BOE Chair Mike Chapman Attacks Fellow Board Member

The county's longest serving school board member criticizes fellow member Michael Geist for allegedly violating board policy.

Not the one to shy away from controversy, Cherokee School Board Chairman Mike Chapman criticized fellow board member and charter school supporter Michael Geist for what he referred to as Geist's violation of school board policies. Chapman, who decided not to seek re-election after he was reapportioned out of his current post by the Georgia legislature, said it was "imperative" to point out Geist's actions, which Chapman said "disturbs me greatly." "Mr. Geist, as I move off the board I feel it imperative that I and fellow board members confront you on your actions as a member of this board," he said. "I raise this issue strictly with the desire to prevent our system from moving back into the past which could very well put our accreditation …

•  70 Comments
• Photos (1)

More BOE Prospects Emerge

Monday, Danny Dukes announced the formation of an exploratory team to consider the pros and cons of a campaign for school board chair.

Cherokee Charter Academy governing board member Danny Dukes isn't the only person considering a run for school board chair. Now that Gov. Nathan Deal has signed Cherokee's controversial school redistricting bill, three others have expressed an interest in the seat, according to a report in today's Cherokee Tribune. Cherokee Board of Education Chairman Mike Chapman, Vice Chairwoman Janet Read and former school board member Eddie Blackwell told the Tribune that they are also mulling BOE runs. Under House Bill 978, six school board members will be elected by district and the chair will be elected countywide. Currently, all seven school board members are elected countywide and the board selects a chair and vice chair at its first meeting of …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)