Cochran now serves as the representative for Post 7 in northern Cherokee, and will seek election in the newly established Post 2, which will represent the northeastern section of the county.
“As a county representative, I have been proud to serve Cherokee County citizens by promoting and supporting excellence in our schools and seeking methods to further improve our services for our kids and community,” Cochran said in making the announcement. “Having previously taught in CCSD, I have used my background in education to aid my decision making as a BOE member.”
Cochran said she has promoted fiscally conservative policies and values during her time in office, which she feels is imperative in the economic climate as school systems are challenged to serve students with a diminishing tax base.
“My goal has been and will continue to be to vote by respectfully considering all feedback and with all stakeholders — students, parents, teachers/employees, and community members/taxpayers — in mind,” she said.
Cochran said she has been a strong advocate not only of the county’s traditional public schools, but also of school choice and the Academies Initiative, opening in 2012 in locations across the county.
“Serving as the Board’s vice-chair when the Initiative began, I have been proud to support the initial phase of the program,: Cochran said in her announcement. “I am also continually promoting and anticipating the expansion of the program and its objectives to offer more vocational opportunities in high schools to prepare kids for what comes after graduation.”
The choices will offer new possibilities for meeting the needs of students and the community in innovative ways, Cochran said, and she looks forward to working as a board member toward developing those options in the future.
Cochran, a Republican, was first elected to office on the Cherokee County Board of Education in 2008. In 2011, she served as the board’s vice-chair.
The incumbent is a certified high school teacher who previously taught English at Etowah and Creekview high schools.
She is a graduate of Young Harris and Agnes Scott colleges and has a master’s degree from Georgia State University.
She and her husband, Nate, who is an attorney in Canton, live in the Free Home community.
In addition to serving on the Board of Education, Cochran is a full-time homemaker and she and her husband have two children, 4 and 22 months.
Cochran and her family are members of the Cumming First United Methodist Church, where she serves as a member of the Intercessory Prayer Ministry and actively volunteers.
She is also a member of the Cherokee County GOP and a former member of the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta, a service organization.
@ anonymous: as a voter in Ms. Cochran's post, I am glad that my vote will count for my representative, and that voters from another area will not be able to make the decision for me. Mob rule is apparently what you want anonymous. Go whine about something else. I am glad to get to vote on my represenatative.
@ anonymous: If you don't like Chip Rogers, don't vote for him. But I'm tired of people like you trying to label any conservative who has ever agreed with him as hand picked by him. She's not a rubber stamp for anyone, unlike some board members who only vote what Dr. P. wants. Cochran has worked for every kid in Cherokee. That's not "fooling" anyone. I hope people remember her actions too. It means she'll be reelected.
Now she seeks that same ridiculous, dangerous majority vote to put her back in office as a school board member. Hopefully the voters will have a “CHOICE” in this election!
Her voting record over the last 4 years does not support her comments showing support of our public school system. She fooled the voters 4 years ago hopefully they will remember her actions while in office.