The Cherokee County School District invites interested residents to sign up for the second annual parent academy, a free, six-session program to learn more about the public schools in the community.

The district was the first in the state to pilot VILLA (Volunteer Instructional Leadership Learning Academy), which was developed by the Georgia School Boards Association, officials said. The inaugural class met last October and November.

Applications for this fall's session are due by Sept. 7. Information: http://bit.ly/CCSDvilla18

The program will cover an overview of the district’s governance model and the role of the school board; major system priorities; and day-to-day operations. There will be question-and-answer sessions with school board members, the superintendent and senior staff.