Sand Rock School Kinder-garten Teacher Donna Norris has been selected as the State Designated Title I Teacher. Norris attended Cherokee County Schools as a Title I student herself, then returned after graduation from college to teach in the Cherokee County School System.

Jayne Davis, federal programs coordinator for Cherokee County Schools, made the announcement during a recent meeting of the Cherokee County Board of Education.

“She (Norris) is one of two teachers that are selected for the state and to represent the state,” said Mrs. Davis. “Donna was a Title I student when she was in school. She went on to get her degree, became a Title I teacher, she taught Title I students and now she is in the regular classroom. She is an outstanding example of what Title I can do for a student and we are very proud of Donna and thrilled that she would be selected for the state. That is quite an honor.”

“Donna is such a compassionate teacher,” said Kay Davis, superintendent, Chero-kee County Schools. “She is so gentle with her students.”

The board agreed to send Norris a letter of congratulations for this noteworthy achievement.

In other action, the Board of Education approved the posting of the Sand Rock Principal position effective with the 2003-2004 school year. Charlotte Hooper plans to retire after this year.

In personnel action, the board:

— approved leaves of absences for Amanda Pope-maternity leave under the Family Medical Leave Act from approximately March 3 through April 11.

— approved a supplement of $877 for Brian Johnson who will be coaching the Girls Gold team at Cherokee County High School.

In other business, the board:

— approved out-of-state travel for Wendy Rogers to Washington D.C. March 16-19 to represent Alabama as the Outstanding Young Farm Family, Kyoko Johns, Angie Tillery and Leslie Millsaps to Chattanooga, Tenn. March 24 to attend a Discovery Zone Workshop and Kevin Cleckler to Orlando, Fla., Feb. 12-15, to make preliminary preparations for a school band trip