With the use of portables, no schools have been deemed "critically overcrowded," by the Cherokee County school district.

The district has released its annual Inventory of School Housing report, which is based on the attendance of the 20th day of classes, which was Friday.

Under its policy, schools are labeled critically overcrowded when they exceed 140 percent of their enrollment capacity with the use of portables.

When schools are critically overcrowded, then the district reviews options such as double sessions, additional portables, boundary changes and enrollment caps as means to alleviate overcrowding.

When portables are not taken into account, three schools are at or above 140 percent of enrollment capacity: Ball Ground Elementary, Chapman Intermediate and E.T. Booth Middle schools.

That number is half of last year's list of schools considered critically overcrowded without counting the use of portable classrooms: Ball Ground Elementary, Carmel Elementary, Macedonia Elementary, Chapman Intermediate, E.T. Booth Middle and Woodstock High.

Rigorous construction and facility planning by the school district has brought relief to some of its most populated schools, school district officials have said.

"I think it shows we've put our SPLOST (Special-Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) dollars to excellent use," said Mike McGowan, district director of public information, communications and partnerships. "We are building schools where we need them."

With the use of portables, Chapman is the only district school that's at or above 110 percent of capacity and nine other schools are at or above 100 percent of enrollment capacity.

With the use of portables, Chapman has a capacity of 118 percent. As of Friday, the school had 1,205 students enrolled.

Chapman Intermediate principal Dr. Pam Colvin said while Chapman does have numerous students, the school's hallways are "wide and accommodating" for student movement.

She also said parents are more concerned whether their students are getting the best education and seldom speak of the number of students enrolled.

She said the school's media center, cafeteria and gym are all equipped to handle the 1,205 students enrolled.

"We can handle those number of students," she said.

The construction of the new Mill Creek Middle School facility and the opening of River Ridge High School have provided relief for Woodstock Middle and High.

The report also indicates that new classroom additions and gyms built at Etowah High School and Macedonia will provide relief to students enrolled at those facilities.

Macedonia Elementary principal Cathy Elliott said the 16-classroom addition has allowed for grade-level grouping within specific halls and has reduced the distance among classes, which saves instructional time.

With an enrollment of 809 students, Macedonia is at 95 percent of its capacity.

Ms. Elliott added additional restrooms and stairways to the cafeteria, media center and the new gym have benefited students and arrival and dismissal times have become more efficient.

The removal of portable classrooms from the school's property has "decreased vehicle congestion" and has created more parking.

"The Macedonia wildcat community has bragged daily about their 'new school,' and everyone is most grateful to the Cherokee County school board and Superintendent Dr. (Frank) Petruzielo for the exceptional learning environment (they have) provided," she said.

With the use of portables, Etowah's capacity stands at 85 percent. As of Friday, the school had 2,132 students enrolled.

Etowah Principal Ron Dunnavant said the additions, along with the reconfiguration of the school's 30 portable classrooms, have now allowed each teacher to have a classroom assigned to him or her each hour without anyone assigned to multiple classrooms.

"We are pleased that the superintendent and BOE (Board of Education) have provided these positive changes for our school," he said.

Relief will also come to Carmel Elementary, Oak Grove Elementary and Chapman as the new Hunt Road elementary school facility opens in August 2011.

Hickory Flat Elementary, Holly Springs Elementary and Johnston Elementary schools will see relief once the district's new elementary school on Univeter Road near Highway 140/Hickory Flat Highway opens in August 2011.