Cherokee school board OKs funds for canceled trips

CANTON - School board officials have approved a plan to help fund school trips for students at Etowah High School in Woodstock and Sixes Elementary School. <br> <br> Last fall, parents in Houston and Cherokee County lost nearly $150,000 in deposits when trips were canceled after the Sept. 11 attacks. <br> <br> ``This is not an attempt to give parents&#39; money back,&#39;&#39; Superintendent Frank Petruzielo said. ``This is an attempt for them to get something of value for the money they had advanced.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Etowah&#39;s marching band missed a chance to perform in a London parade when the group&#39;s trip was canceled. Students at Sixes Elementary, in Canton, had planned to visit Washington, D.C. <br> <br> The school board approved a plan to steer $100,000 for a one-time fund to help pay for the replacement trips. <br> <br> Parents and teachers at Sixes Elementary have tentatively picked Charleston, S.C. as an alternative. <br> <br> ``They say when you are given lemons, make lemonade,&#39;&#39; Sixes Principal Judy Battles said. ``Charleston has museums. Fort Sumter is there. Anytime you are near the water, it opens options for science.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Etowah Band Boosters are considering a trip to Orlando. <br> <br> ``Many of the members think Orlando would be just as good as London,&#39;&#39; said Genevieve Rudat, who plays the French horn. <br> <br> State Rep. Chuck Scheid, R-Woodstock, said he planned to ask Gov. Roy Barnes this week for additional aid to offset losses from the canceled trips.