The Lassiter PTSA said Sunday that a July 22 memorial service has been scheduled for Libby Rountree, a Lassiter student, and her father Chris.
They were killed in a car crash on June 26 near Dublin, Ga., in what the Georgia State Patrol said was a wrong-way driver hitting their vehicle.
Erica Rountree, Libby’s mother and Chris’ wife, and Cate Rountree, another daughter, were seriously injured in the crash.
The memorial service begins at 1 p.m. July 22 at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church (4385 Lower Roswell Road) and it will be live-streamed here.
Here’s more from the PTSA on sending donations and condolences to the family:
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Libby Rountree Memorial Scholarship Fund by clicking here or by sending checks payable to Trojan Soccer Booster Club to 2601 Shallowford Rd, Marietta, GA 30066 with Libby Rountree Scholarship in the memo line. https://www.lassitersoccer.org/libby/.
To share a memory of Libby or send condolences to big sister, Cate, and Mom, visit the obituary links below:
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A few Cobb citizens addressed county commissioners Tuesday in the first of three required public hearings on the proposed Cobb fiscal year 2020 budget and millage rate.
The $475.8 million proposed for general fund spending is nearly six percent over the current FY 2019 budget of $454 million.
The overall budget proposal, which includes fire and E911, debt service and other categories outside the general fund, comes to $998.9 million, up from the current $966 million.
After several weeks of pressure from public safety employees and citizens, the budget proposal includes a seven-percent pay increase to boost salaries and benefits as well as retention issues.
It’s part of what commission chairman Mike Boyce has said is the beginning of a longer-term process toward step and grade raises and other incentives for police officers, firefighters and sheriff’s deputies.
No millage rate increase is proposed, but the anticipated tax digest is growing by an assumed 3.4 percent, to a record $39 billion.
Therefore, the county has to advertise the current millage rate as a tax increase since no rollback to the current year’s tax digest total of $36.7 billion.
Even with additional coffers for FY 2020, the proposal includes using $18.4 million in contingency (or reserve) funds to balance the budget.
That flustered Pamela Reardon, a real estate agent in East Cobb. After last year’s tax increase, she told commissioners, “you told me we would have plenty of money. And now we don’t have any money. What happened?”
She apologized for suggesting in such harsh terms that the contingency “looks like it’s being used like a slush fund.”
Reardon also said she thought a seven-percent raise all at once seems excessive. “I’m not opposed to raises, but who decided that?” she said.
That raise would amount to $5.2 million of the proposed contingency spending, with the largest chunk, $7.5 million, for a four-percent raise for other county employees.
Another $2 million would be earmarked for police operating and capital contingency, with another $1 million for undesignated use by the commissioners.
What’s missing from the budget is $850,000 in non-profit spending that in the past has gone to social-service agencies like MUST Ministries and the Center for Family Resources.
State. Rep. Mary Frances Williams, a Marietta Democrat who represents part of northeast Cobb, and who is a former advocate for non-profits, calculated that amount to less than 0.0020 percent of the budget.
But removing it completely would have a far greater detriment that tax dollars saved, she said, since county funding provides “seed money for nonprofits to get matching matching grants.”
Additional public hearings on the budget will be as follows:
Tuesday, July 16, 6:30 p.m.;
Tuesday, July 23, 2019, 7 p.m.
The final date is also scheduled for budget adoption. The meetings take place in the second floor board meeting room of the Cobb government building, 100 Cherokee St., downtown Marietta.
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The U.S. Census Bureau is presenting 2020 Census Job Information Sessions this summer at Cobb County Public Libraries.
A Census official will discuss 2020 Census job opportunities and answer questions about applying during the free sessions. Area Census Bureau positions include assistants, clerks, office operations supervisors and census takers. Pay ranges vary based on location and position.
The upcoming 2020 Census Job Information Sessions at Cobb libraries include:
Each Tuesday afternoon through July 23 from 2 pm to 6 pm at Powder Springs Library, 4181 Atlanta Street, Powder Springs 30127. 770-439-3600
Wednesday, July 10 from 4 pm to 7 pm and Monday, July 22 from 11 am to 4 pm at Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta 30066. 770-509-2725
Friday, July 12 and Friday, July 19 from 10 am to 3 pm at South Cobb Regional Library is located at 805 Clay Road, Mableton 30126. 678-398-5828
For information on applying for 2020 Census jobs, including application requirements, visitwww.2020census.gov/jobs and click Apply Now. Potential applicants seeking information and assistance may call 1-855-JOB-2020 (562-2020) or use the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.
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Here’s some winter break news about a noteworthy accomplishment by students and teachers, and staff at Tritt Elementary School, which is the first school in the country to be certified as a Library Learning Commons.
The concept has evolved over the last decade or so nationwide, and thus far Tritt is the only school in Cobb to go through the district’s certification process (explanation here).
The information (along with photo) submitted by the Cobb County School District explains in detail the Library Learning Commons approach, which at Tritt has incorporated space for experimenting, playing, making, doing, thinking, collaborating, and growing:
The engaging space with flexible seating includes the traditional books but so much more. Digital tools and technology help the students collaborate. The library media specialists not only guide students as they select which book will take them on their next literary adventure, but they also conduct lessons focused on the curriculum the students are learning inside their classroom.
“In our Library Learning Commons, students can stretch their thinking, ask questions, build research skills, design new concepts in makerspaces, and collaborate with their peers,” said Holly Frilot, Cobb Schools supervisor of Library Media Education. “The library media specialist cultivates lessons to spark curiosity, teaches how to research effectively, and guides students to present their new knowledge with digital tools.”
Many Cobb students are tech-savvy and able to quickly navigate apps and social media. The media specialists inside the Library Learning Commons help the students become tech-literate so they can understand the digital world around them and navigate it safely and successfully.
“One of our newer spaces is the MakerSpace where students can come to work on small or group projects, including green screen productions. Students and staff feel welcome to use the spaces and resources as needed in a truly flexible learning environment,” explained Tritt Principal Karen Carstens.
Frilot and Principal Carstens both credit media specialist Joanne Bates for her work with teachers and staff over the past five years to transition Tritt’s media center into a Library Learning Commons.
“The traditional library has gone through a transformation as old and outdated print materials have been replaced with more high-interest print materials and up-to-date digital resources,” added Principal Carstens. “The digital resources extend the walls of our library into the classrooms and even beyond our school as students and teachers can access the resources at home.”
“In support of Cobb’s commitment to innovation, the Library Learning Commons certification highlights the transformation schools undertake to create engaging, inspiring spaces for students,” Frilot explained. “In our Library Learning Commons, students go on virtual reality field trips, engage in the engineering design process in makerspaces, and use digital tools like 3D printers.”
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An overflow crowd at the East Cobb Senior Center heard Mike Boyce defend his proposed fiscal year 2019 budget of $453 million that would result in a Cobb tax increase.
The Cobb commission chairman’s goal, as he asserted several times during a nearly 90-minute town hall meeting Monday night, is to return to a “level, sustainable millage rate” the county enjoyed before the recession.
He said his proposed increase of 1.7 mills as part of revised budget from an original proposed hike of 1.1 mills, would generate $50 million in additional revenue per year.
Not only would that solve the projected $30 million budget deficit for FY 2019, but it would also replenish reserve funding commissioners have used in recent years to avoid a tax hike.
Cobb government included this tax chart in its revised budget proposal last week.
Several weeks after possible closures of libraries, parks and other “desired” services were made public, Boyce denied threatening to close any of those facilities.
But he said if his fellow commissioners couldn’t agree at least to an extra 1.1 mills, “we will close things. But that’s up to the commissioners.”
After urging citizens to communicate with their commissioners about ensuring those services with a tax increase, there was vigorous applause in the room.
Many citizens were wearing stickers in support of Cobb libraries. Others came on behalf of parks, recreation centers and The Art Place, located next door to the senior center and included on a draft list of options for closure.
Others were opposed to any tax increase, including Lance Lamberton of the Cobb Taxpayers Association, who brought a sign saying “Cut Waste.”
Monday’s meeting was the first of several Boyce is holding through early July, before commissioners are to adopt the budget by the end of next month.
He prefaced his remarks with charts predicting Cobb’s budget shortfall in 2014, with significant rising costs anticipated for the county pension fund, a pay increase for roughly half of county employees and public safety needs.
In public statements, Boyce has noted for several weeks how Cobb’s millage rate has decreased steadily since 1990, even though the county population has risen dramatically, from 450,000 then to more than 750,000 today.
After a 1.51 mills increase in 2011 during the recession, the general fund millage rate went down, again, including a decrease in 2016, right before Boyce defeated then-chairman Tim Lee in a runoff.
Currently, it’s 6.76 mills.
Last year, commissioners spent nearly $20 million in reserves to balance a $405 million general fund budget, leaving only $2.6 million on hand now.
“We simply need to buy things we haven’t bought,” Boyce said.
His revised budget would fund an additional 23 police officers, and provide body cameras for all officers as part of a public safety budget increase of $15 million.
Citizens peppered Boyce with questions about their tax bills, county funding for the Braves stadium and more. While some wondered if what he was proposing was enough, especially about public safety, others didn’t like hearing Boyce adamantly defend raising taxes.
When Ellen Smith (pictured above), an attorney who occasionally argues zoning cases in front of the commissioners, suggested an increase of 3 mills, in part to fully fund the county’s animal services, some citizens loudly grumbled and yelled out, “ask a question!”
When another citizen asked Boyce if he would “be back here next year” should his budget and tax demands not be sufficient, he said that “I don’t know what the future brings.
“But I don’t want to be back here next year.”
Boyce’s final town hall is back in East Cobb on July 9, at the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center at 7 p.m.
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Pictured left to right: Judy McNeill (Walton High School Principal), Laura Key (Walton student and LGE scholarship recipient), Linda Coyle (Business Development Officer), Vicki Aghajanian (LGE Director of Business Development and Community Relations), Scott Brooks (LGE VP of Marketing and Business Development)
Thanks to Becca Duvall at LGE Community Credit Union for the submitted photo above and the information below about Walton student Laura Key:
On Monday, May 7, 2018, LGE Community Credit Union team members, along with principal Judy McNeill, were able to surprise Walton High School senior Laura Key with the $5,000 LGE Community Service Scholarship in a classroom full of her peers. . She was also later recognized at the May 17 Cobb County School District Board Meeting.
Key, like many Cobb students, boasts a long list of academic achievements, but her genuine commitment to serving others is what stood out to LGE. Throughout her high school career, Key spent hundreds of hours identifying needs in the community and filling in the gaps, even using what she learned during her time in Walton’s International Spanish Academy to help others. To name just one example, Key assisted with the development and facilitation of a weekly Spanish class for residents of a local senior living community.
High school seniors in Cobb County submitted applications for the LGE Community Service Scholarship to their respective principals. Each of the 16 high school principals in Cobb County then hand-selected one nominee from their school. The quality of high school seniors in Cobb County made the selection process for the award competitive.
When asked about picking just one winner from Cobb County’s best students, LGE’s Vice President of Business Development and Marketing said, “Every single nomination was impressive and made our job very challenging. However, it is clear each of these students have made a deep impact on their community through dedication, hard work and servant leadership.”
The LGE Community Service Scholarship was established in 2018 specifically for CCSD. In 2017, LGE expanded its partnership with CCSD from school-level partnerships to a county-wide relationship which included contributing more than $50,000 in scholarships and programs specific to Cobb, offering financial services to all CCSD employees/families, and meeting individually with staff members on-site at all 112 Cobb County schools.
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The East Cobb News Digest is delivered to your e-mail inbox every Sunday, and contains so much more, including the best calendar listings anywhere in East Cobb and convenient community information.
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This week’s top stories include the student walkouts in East Cobb, an update about a “fake cop” rapist attack, an upcoming meeting about the Sprayberry Crossing Shopping Center and a new public park greenspace acquisition in Northeast Cobb (pictured above.)
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Among the later cancellations and postponements due to the winter weather conditions was this morning’s education rights workshop at Art It Out at Paper Mill Village.
It covers topics related to students and disabilities with Tim Schwartz, an attorney who speciliazes in the subject area.
It has been postponed for two weeks exactly from today, Monday, Jan. 22, at the same time, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and at the same place. Art It Out is located at 255 Village Parkway, 580.
The workshop is free.
Here’s the calendar listing for that event, which also requires registration by calling 770-726-9589.
Dominick Blaylock (1) scored the first of his three touchdowns on Walton’s first possession of the game. (East Cobb News photos by Wendy Parker)
Dominick Blaylock did all he could for the Walton football team Friday in as big a game as the Raiders have played in several years in a Georgia Class 7A second-round playoff game.
But they committed two critical turnovers near the end of the first half that helped Colquitt County take the lead and pull away to a 28-21 victory at Raider Valley.
Walton had been undefeated, with an 11-0 record and a No. 3 state ranking coming in, and was backed by a loud home crowd, against Colquitt County (8-3 and No. 9). The game also was shown on statewide television, with a full crew on hand from Georgia Public Broadcasting.
A near-full house looked on as Walton took 7-0 and 14-7 leads in the first quarter, thanks to big plays from Blaylock. A junior wide receiver who has already committed to the University of Georgia, he scored via the run the first two times Walton had the ball.
But the Packers, whose coaching staff includes former Walton head coach Mo Dixon, responded right away each time. It was with the game tied at 14-14 late in the second quarter that events began to turn their way, thanks to turnovers.
Colquitt County converted on both of them, an interception and a recovered fumble on a muffed lateral, to take a 21-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Packers’ defense effectively shut down the rest of Walton’s offense, and took a 28-14 lead early in the third quarter. That would prove to be enough to hold off Walton, even after Blaylock scored a late third-quarter touchdown to give the Raiders a lifeline.
He ran for 54 yards and had 101 receiving yards for the game, but Colquitt County advances to the quarterfinals against Archer.
Walton enjoyed one of the best seasons in school history under first-year head coach Daniel Brunner, and will have many top players returning, including Blaylock and quarterback Austin Kirksey.
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There could be a fourth, Lassiter, which lost to Etowah Friday night and could be selected for an at-large berth in Class AAAAAAA.
Walton clinched the Region 7-AAAAAAA title Friday with a 42-37 win at home over Woodstock, giving the Raiders a perfect 10-0 record in the regular season.
That’s only the third time in Walton school history that has happened. The Raiders will play at home next Friday in the first round of the state playoffs against North Cobb.
Tab Griffin of Pope, Brett Sloan of Kell and Daniel Brunner of Walton have led their teams into the state playoffs as first-year head coaches. (East Cobb News file photo)
Kell lost to Hiram 52-37 at home but still clinched a playoff berth in the Class AAAAA playoffs. The Longhorns, who finished 5-5 in the regular season, will play at Flowery Branch.
The most unlikely East Cobb football story this season is Pope High School, which had won just three games in the past two seasons. The Greyhounds got off to a sluggish start, losing their first three games.
Pope came into Friday’s game against Northview on a two-game losing streak, but rolled to an easy 41-22 win to qualify for the state playoffs for the first time since 2012. The Greyhounds will take a losing record—4-6—into next Friday’s Class AAAAAA first round game at Dacula.
Lassiter could have cemented a playoff berth in Class AAAAAAA but lost at Etowah 29-20 to finish the regular season with a 6-4 record. The Trojans await word on whether they’ll be selected as an at-large team.
The three East Cobb football teams that have clinched playoff spots also have something else in common. They’re coached by first-year head coaches, which was one of the leading storylines heading into the season.
Walton’s Daniel Brunner had been an assistant for the Raiders and was elevated to head coach after Mo Dixon resigned to take a coaching job in south Georgia. Another Walton assistant, Brett Sloan, was hired to succeed Derek Cook at Kell.
Tab Griffin’s task at Pope was considered the biggest job of all. He was a former Greyhounds player and Pope graduate who was hired in the summer after coaching at Mt. Paran Christian School.
Two other East Cobb teams ended their seasons Friday on a down note. Sprayberry, also coached by a first-year coach, former Yellow Jackets player Brett Vavra, lost to Sequoyah 38-28 and finished 2-8 on the year.
So did the Wheeler Wildcats, a playoff last year who lost 51-37 to Pebblebrook.
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It wasn’t quite unanimous, but close. The Cobb Board of Education Thursday voted 6-1 to adopt Cobb school calendars for the 2018-20 academic years after a brief discussion.
Scott Sweeney
The board didn’t make any changes to the calendars proposed by Superintendent Chris Ragsdale (see charts below). The first day of school for each of the next two years will begin on Aug. 1, and will include regularly scheduled breaks that have been the case in the last few years.
The “balanced” calendar had been the subject of strong board and community division in recent years, but not for this calendar scheduling cycle.
The only vote against was Scott Sweeney of Post 6 in East Cobb, who repeated comments he made at a recent work session that a large number of messages he’s received (63 percent) were in favor of a delayed start to the school year.
He also cited other issues, such as extracurricular activities, that are affected by a balanced calendar, and said he hasn’t received any evidence of academic improvements based on the adoption of a balanced calendar.
Connie Jackson of the Cobb County Association of Educators repeated the organization’s support of the balanced calendar and urged the board to use the adopted calendars to serve as a template for future years.
Also on Thursday, the board accepted the resignation of Mary Elizabeth Davis, the Cobb County School District’s Chief Academic Officer. She has been named the new superintendent for Henry County public schools.
Adopted 2018-19 Cobb school calendar
Adopted 2019-2020 Cobb school calendar
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