East Cobb Schools

Cobb school board to hold hearings on homestead exemption

by

Like Cobb County Government, the Cobb County School District has announced its intent to opt out of a new homestead exemption law designed to cap local property tax rates.

The Cobb Board of Education must hold three public hearings as a result, and they have been scheduled as follows:

  • Feb. 6, 11:30 a.m. and 6:05 p.m.
  • Feb. 13, 1;30 p.m.

The hearings will take place in the board room of the CCSD central office, 514 Glover St., Marietta. At a Feb. 13 voting meeting at 7 p.m., an agenda item will call for a vote to opt-out of the new law.

HB 581 was passed by the Georgia General Assembly in 2024, and state voters approved enabling legislation in a November referendum to establish a statewide floating homestead exemption.

Those exemptions apply to counties, school districts and municipalities, and would place a cap on property tax rates based on an inflation rate set by the Georgia Department of Revenue.

The law was passed following concerns about dramatic property tax rate increases due to soaring assessments during periods of high inflation.

Like Cobb government, however, Cobb schools have stated that its current exemptions are more beneficial to parents and taxpayers.

The biggest chunk of local property tax rates in Cobb are for school taxes. In Cobb, homeowners over the age of 62 (outside of the city of Marietta) can apply for a senior exemption from school taxes.

According to the Cobb Tax Commissioner’s office, “once approved, the homestead exemption is automatically renewed each year as long as you continually occupy the home under the same ownership. The only time you must reapply for an exemption is if there is a change in ownership, residence or you wish to qualify for a higher exemption.”

The current fiscal year 2025 Cobb school district budget is $1.8 billion, which did not roll back tax rates despite a spending increase from the previous year.

The district’s announcement last week claimed that it would lose an estimated $43 million under the new homestead exemption law, which “could force the District to cut teacher salaries, increase class sizes, or otherwise harm student learning.”

The district said that Cobb’s per capita spending is around $11,000 per student.

“To recommend any process that would most definitely result in the Cobb County School District losing funds, which would be used to educate Cobb children, would not be a responsible recommendation,” Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale said at a Cobb school board meeting last Thursday.

“We have one of the best School districts in the nation – academically, athletically, musically, and artistically. We are consistently recognized in each of these areas. Parents expect a high-quality education when sending their students to a Cobb school; that is exactly what we will continue to provide.”

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

 

Bells Ferry ES 2nd and 3rd graders to relocate to Chalker ES

by

Bells Ferry ES 2nd and 3rd graders to relocate to Chalker ES

Second- and third-grade classes at Bells Ferry Elementary School will be temporarily relocated to Chalker Elementary School starting in August due to a construction project.

The Cobb County School District announced Thursday that parents of those students have been notified of the details of the relocation, and released renderings of the project.

The relocation is expected to take two years, to the start of the 2027-28 school year, as Bells Ferry will be undergoing a rebuild of its main campus building on Bells Ferry Road at Piedmont Road.

Like the rebuilt and relocated Eastvalley Elementary School, the new Bells Ferry campus will feature a multi-story main building.

A final construction price hasn’t been announced, but the contractor, Winter Construction Co. of Atlanta, was announced in June. The funding will come from the current SPLOST VI sales tax for Cobb schools.

During a Cobb Board of Education meeting Thursday, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said the relocation of the students is necessary due to space constraints at Bells Ferry, which opened in 1972 and has more than 750 students.

While the project is underway, there will be portable classrooms on the Bells Ferry campus.

The oldest portion of the building will be rebuilt, and the school will get upgraded technology and communications equipment, including new computing and interactive devices for classrooms, telephone systems and replacing two playground areas.

Ragsdale said transportation will not be affected for the Bells Ferry students relocated to Chalker. Their usual bus will pick them up and drop them off as they currently do for Bells Ferry.

Bells Ferry ES 2nd and 3rd graders to relocate to Chalker ES

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Pope, Sprayberry, Murdock ES construction projects approved

by

Pope High School, Cobb SAT scores

The Cobb Board of Education on Thursday approved a construction contract for a variety of renovations at Pope High School.

The $4.9 million project was awarded to MAPP, LLC of Atlanta and is expected to be completed by November

The funding comes from the current Cobb-Ed SPLOST VI and will be used for the following, per a Cobb County School District aganda item:

  • door and hardware replacements
  • media center and band room flooring replacements
  • front entry renovations
  • removing corridor lockers
  • renovating physical education and athletic locker rooms
  • replacing the concession building at the baseball stadium
  • baseball field improvements

The board approved a construction contract to refurbish the stadium at Sprayberry High School, at a cost of $937,363.

The contractor is Nix-Fowler Constructors of Mableton and the job includes improvements mandated by the federal Americans With Disabilities Act.

The expected completion date is May and SPLOST VI funds will be used.

Sprayberry is undergoing a major overhaul of its campus with the main classroom building getting a replacement facility that is expected to take three years to complete.

The board also approved spending $739,768 in SPLOST VI funds replace the coolers and freezers at Murdock Elementary School.

The contractor is Ward Humphrey Inc. of Marietta and the project is expected to be done by July.

The school will receive a new walk-in freezer and cooler, along with updated mechanical and electrical equipment. The kitchen staff locker room and restroom also will be renovated, according to an agenda item.

 

Lindley MS student ‘critical’ after self-inflicted shooting

by

UPDATED THURSDAY, 8:15 P.M.

Both Cobb Police and the Cobb County School District said Thursday that the student remains in critical condition but did not offer many more details.

They did acknowledge that the student is a female, but did not offer a motive or other details.

They also did not say how she was able to get a gun inside the school campus.

Cobb Police Sgt. Eric Smith said that “no additional details about the victim or the circumstances surrounding the incident will be shared to protect the privacy of those involved and maintain the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

“The Cobb County Police Department and Cobb County School District Police remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students, staff, and community members.”

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Cobb Police said Wednesday that a person was shot at Lindley Middle School in Mableton, and “that there was one victim” as the school went on a lockdown.Campbell High School lockdown

Few other details have been provided by police, except to say that the shooting was self-inflicted and that the school went on a Code Red lockdown for a time.

Police said in statement Wednesday that the campus was eventually secured and that parents were able to pick up their children from a nearby campus.

A message that went out to the school community from Lindley officials said that “one of our students used a firearm to commit a self-harm. The student is in critical condition, surrounded by family and loved ones.”

The message said that school administrators, along with a  Cobb County School District police officer, “responded immediately and secured the weapon.

“Police have confirmed that there was no specific threats to fellow students and the code red was lifted as soon as the situation was resolved.”

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

 

 

Cobb schools announce 2025 commencement schedule

by

Lassiter graduation, Cobb schools 2020 graduation schedule

Submitted information:

Graduation honors years of dedication and achievement, celebrating student success and their bright futures ahead. The Cobb County School District is pleased to announce the 2025 commencement schedule so students and their families can celebrate the milestone together.

Commencement ceremonies for Cobb’s Class of 2025 begin Monday, May 19, and continue through the evening of Saturday, May 24. 

All district-hosted ceremonies will take place at the KSU Convocation Center. McEachern High School students will graduate inside the school’s Cantrell Stadium on the morning of Thursday, May 22. Allatoona High School graduates will march across the stage at Allatoona Stadium the following morning on May 23. 

Cobb Horizon High School and the Cobb Online Learning Academy (COLA) will take the stage for the first commencement ceremony on May 19, followed by Hillgrove High School graduates turning their tassels a few hours later. 

Additional information about each school’s ceremony, venue information including directions and parking information, access to live streaming broadcasts of the ceremonies, and video recordings ordering information will be available on the District’s Commencement page.

Here are the commencement details for high schools in East Cobb:

  • Sprayberry: Tuesday, May 20, 3:30 p.m. at KSU
  • Kell: Wednesday, May 21, 3:30 p.m. at KSU
  • Lassiter: Wednesday, May 21, 7:30 p.m. at KSU
  • Walton: Thursday, May 22, 2:30 p.m. at KSU
  • Pope: Friday, May 23, 10 a.m. at KSU
  • Wheeler: Saturday, May 24, 2:30 p.m. at KSU

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

East Cobb Weather Update: Cobb schools resume on Monday

by
East Cobb Weather Update: Cobb schools resume on Monday
Reader Tami McIntire outside her home in East Cobb, with an outer space theme to Winter Storm Cora.

The winter storm that swept through East Cobb on Friday, leaving snow and some freezing conditions gave plenty of families a chance to enjoy the outdoors.

Thanks to readers Tami McIntire and Catarina Kommer for the photos from their yards Sunday on what’s the last of a three-day snow holiday here for many. (You can send yours if you like, too, and we’ll add them to this post: editor@eastcobbnews.com).

With somewhat warmer temperatures in the forecast, activities that had been cancelled or postponed are returning to normal.

The Cobb County School District sent this message to the public Sunday afternoon:

“All Cobb County School District schools are fully operational and will be open on a normal schedule on Monday, January 13th.

“We look forward to seeing all students in school and on time!”

The sun came out on Sunday and highs crept up into the low 40s, enough for some of snow/sleet to melt.

It’s expected to freeze back again Sunday night, with lows back in the 20s, so there are continued road hazards in some spots.

Cobb government said Sunday afternoon that “icy spots could persist in shaded areas and could re-form Monday morning. Cobb DOT will respond to calls as they arrive, but please use caution.”

Cobb DOT has a maintenance work desk at 770-528-1600 for routine issues to be handed during regular business hours, and via mobile app: https://seeclickfix.com/cobb-county.

East Cobb Weather Update: Cobb schools resume on Monday
Inside, Tami McIntire’s cat doesn’t know what to make of the snow.
East Cobb Weather Update: Cobb schools resume on Monday
Luna, Catarina Kommer’s Rottweiler, enjoying a tromp in the snow.
East Cobb Weather Update: Cobb schools resume on Monday
A cardinal in the snow in Catarina Kommer’s yard.

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Cobb school district closed Friday; Ga. emergency declared

by

From the Cobb County School District around 11 a.m. Thursday:Campbell High School lockdown

“As we prepare for forecasted ice and snow and to protect students and staff who could be traveling to school during dangerous road conditions, all Cobb schools and offices will be closed on Friday, January 10th, for all students and staff. All extracurriculars, including sports, are also canceled on Friday, January 10th, and Saturday, January 11th.”

UPDATED, around noon Thursday, from Gov. Brian Kemp:

“Governor Brian P. Kemp today declared a statewide State of Emergency, effective immediately through Tuesday, January 14, 2025, in preparation for the approaching winter storm expected to impact Georgia beginning this Friday. The State of Emergency authorizes the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) and mobilize any needed resources to address potential impacts. GEMA/HS, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS), and other state agencies are instructed to provide essential personnel to the SOC, which will move to a Level 2 Activation beginning tonight at 7 p.m.

“The Georgia Department of Transportation, along with the Department of Public Safety, began treating roads early this morning to prepare for the approaching winter storm, and I’m asking all Georgians to help them do their jobs by limiting travel as much as possible in the coming days,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Hazardous conditions, including ice and snow, can develop quickly and make travel very dangerous. Plan ahead and stay tuned to updates from state and local officials to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe while our first responders continue to work tirelessly throughout this weather event.”

“Among other provisions, the State of Emergency order prohibits price gouging; suspends hours-of-service limitations for commercial vehicle operators involved in response activities; and temporarily increases weight, height, and length limits for commercial vehicles transporting essential supplies.”

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Cobb schools, county preparing for winter weather forecast

by

Cobb schools, county preparing for winter weather forecast

Related:

UPDATED, Wednesday, 12:28 p.m.:

A winter storm watch has been issued for Cobb and North Georgia from 7 a.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

Cobb County government and Cobb County School District officials said Tuesday that they’re closely monitoring weather reports for a likely winter storm later this week.

The National Weather Service forecast includes a strong chance of precipitation Friday into Saturday as temperatures are expected to plunge well below freezing.

The forecast includes an 80 percent chance of rain Friday night, which could include snow, sleet and freezing rain and temperatures expected to fall into the high 20s.

The NWS forecast is predicting the most severe weather for north Georgia to fall along a line north of Interstate 20.

At a special Cobb Board of Education meeting Tuesday, Cobb school district Chris Ragsdale said that “we intend, if a call needs to be made, you will hear about the call Thursday before Friday, if the case needs to be called for school.”

Cobb government said Tuesday afternoon that road crews will be ready to treat more than 400 miles of roads if/when necessary.

Thus far, there are no closures reported.

The forecast calls for sunny skies on Wednesday with a high of around 40 and a low of around 20.

On Thursday, more sun and high of 40 are in the forecast, with a low of 26.

The high on Friday is expected to reach only 36 with a low around 30.

The chance of precipitation is in a range of 50-90 percent/

Clear, but cold weather returns for the weekend, with highs ranging between 38-42 and lows between 22-26.

The MUST Ministries warming shelter will be open every evening at least through Friday, as overnight temperatures are expected to be at or below freezing.

Here’s the extended Cobb-area forecast for the moment; we will be updating with information about closures and related details as they are announced.

 

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

 

Chastain, Cristadoro chosen for Cobb school board leadership

by
Chastain, Cristadoro chosen for Cobb school board leadership
John Cristadoro takes the oath of office joined by his family. From Cobb County School District streaming video.

Just minutes after being publicly sworn in as a new member of the Cobb Board of Education, John Cristadoro was elected Tuesday to serve as vice chairman.

Cristadoro is a recently elected Republican from Post 5 in East Cobb, succeeding retiring GOP member David Banks.

David Chastain of Post 4 in Northeast Cobb was elected to serve as chairman for 2025.

Their duties include presiding over board meetings and representing the board in an official capacity.

During a special organizational meeting Tuesday, the votes were both 4-3 along party lines, reflecting the Republicans’ 4-3 majority on the board.

The board also set the 2025 meeting schedule (you can read it here), starting with the first work session and voting session of the year on Jan. 16.

Democratic board member Becky Sayler of Post 2 in South Cobb proposed an amendment that would have the work sessions and voting sessions on separate days to invite more public participation.

But that motion and two others she offered failed along the same party lines by 3-4 votes.

She also made a motion for fellow Democrat Tre’ Hutchins to become board chair, but that also defeated by the same 3-4 split.

Republicans have held the majority on the school board for the past decade, and have rotated the leadership roles ever since.

In November, Hutchins was re-elected without opposition to a second term to Post 3 from South Cobb. Republicans Randy Scamihorn and Brad Wheeler were re-elected in November, while Cristadoro defeated Laura Judge, like him a parent in the Walton High School cluster.

Hutchins, Scamihorn, Wheeler and Cristadoro took their official oaths of office Tuesday morning, then repeated the procedure publicly before the meeting.

Cristadoro, who runs a digital media company, was joined by his wife and two children, who attend Walton High School and Dickerson Middle School.

Chastain, a Wheeler High School graduate who is in his third term, will be serving as chairman for the fourth time.

Cristadoro’s vote into leadership as a first-year member is a departure from recent practice.

In 2021, Charisse Davis, a Democrat who represented the Walton and Wheeler clusters, was nominated for vice chair for a third consecutive year, but didn’t have the votes.

Instead, the vice chair role that year went to Banks, who was beginning his fourth term, and who had several public disputes with Davis.

She said she had been told that she was too new to the board for a leadership role. After the 2021 vote, Davis wrote i on social media that “sharing leadership opportunities strengthens our board, and subsequently, the district. I do not believe it best serves the district to recycle leadership opportunities amongst the same couple of people.”

Davis did not seek a second term in 2022.

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Cobb school board to hold 2025 organizational meeting

by

The Cobb Board of Education is holding a special called meeting Tuesday to swear in newly elected members and vote for officers for 2025.

The meeting begins at 12:30 p.m. in the board room at the Cobb County School District Central Office, 514 Glover St., in Marietta.

The meeting also will be live-streamed on district’s BoxCast channel and on CobbEdTV, Comcast Channel 24.

The board maintained a 4-3 Republican majority in November elections, as GOP incumbents Randy Scamihorn and Brad Wheeler won re-election.

In East Cobb’s Post 5, Republican newcomer John Cristadoro was elected to succeed retiring GOP member David Banks.

They will take the oath of office, along with Democratic incumbent Tre’ Hutchins, who was unopposed.

Then board members will then choose a chairman and vice chairman for the 2025 meetings. Last year, Scamihorn served as chairman so he cannot be elected to the same post this year.

Republicans have rotated officers among themselves in recent years, as the votes have been along partisan lines.

The board also will set the schedule for its 2025 meetings on Tuesday.

The first official meetings of 2025 are on Jan. 16.

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

 

Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

by

Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

Submitted information and photos:

Peach Bowl, Inc. and the College Football Playoff Foundation teamed up as part of their Extra Yard Makeover initiative to give Sawyer Road Elementary School’s Media Center and Library a new makeover.

Representatives from both organizations revealed the new space at a ribbon cutting ceremony, where students and teachers got to see the newly renovated amenities for the very first time.

This was part of a $200,000 partnership between Peach Bowl, Inc. and the CFP Foundation to assist eight local schools over the next year that are in dire need of facility upgrades in order to provide their students with the best learning environments possible.

Peach Bowl, Inc. is college football’s most charitable bowl organization, having donated more than $65 million to organizations in need since 2002. One of the Bowl’s philanthropic areas of emphasis is to give back to the community through education.

Attendees/Speakers included:

  • Gary Stokan, President and CEO, Peach Bowl, Inc.
  • Margaret Frank, Partnerships Manager, CFP Foundation
  • Jeremy Westbrooks, School Specialty
  • Susan Graves, Sawyer Road Elementary School Principal

Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

Related:

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Brumby, Nicholson, Wheeler teachers named Cobb Tank winners

by

Brumby, Nicholson, Wheeler students named Cobb Tank winners

Submitted information and photo:

The annual Cobb Tank competition returned in 2024 with all the excitement and energy of a high-stakes reality show. This educator-focused game show provided an inspiring look at how Cobb teachers are innovating instruction. This year’s showcase brought educators from across the District together in a celebration of ingenuity and dedication as educators pitched their most imaginative and impactful ideas for transforming student learning experiences.

Nine teams of finalists stepped into “The Cobb Tank” and presented their dreams to the “Sharks.” These ideas ranged from hands-on STEM initiatives to health-focused classroom transformations, embodying the bold spirit of innovation that defines the Cobb County School District. In a testament to their quality and potential, all nine proposals received the funding they requested, with grants totaling $68,000.

The funded projects offer a glimpse into the extraordinary creativity of Cobb educators. Imagine a classroom where physical activity and academic focus intertwine, with students pedaling on stationary bikes or using Desk Cycles while solving math problems or reading literature. This innovative approach keeps minds sharp and promotes health and engagement throughout the school day.

Elsewhere, the cutting edge of science comes alive as middle school students dive into the world of robotics, programming robot dogs to solve real-world challenges. High school students, meanwhile, explore synthetic biology through a project that empowers them to address pressing global issues with creativity and scientific rigor. These initiatives teach technical skills, spark curiosity, and inspire future careers in STEM fields.

For the youngest learners, innovation takes the form of a sensory gym designed to support children with developmental delays and sensory challenges. In this specially crafted environment, children explore, play, and build essential skills in engaging and therapeutic ways. Another project offers the wonder of the outdoors through a portable learning lab, where elementary students pair hands-on scientific discovery with literacy and writing, weaving together multiple disciplines in a seamless and exciting way.

The commitment to literacy and communication shines brightly in projects aimed at empowering students to find their voices. One initiative provides resources for English language learners, equipping teachers with tools to create inclusive and collaborative classrooms. Another blends literacy with STEM lessons, encouraging students to think critically and connect their learning across subjects. 

Cobb Tank 2024 Winning Proposals:

Barber Middle School Who Let the Dogs Out
Brumby Elementary School Voices in Action: Cultivating Confident Communicators
Griffin Middle School Peddling our Way to Better Health and Academics at Griffin Middle School!
Kemp Elementary School Reading into STEM: Engaging Minds through Literacy-Integrated STEM Lessons
Nicholson Elementary School Portable Learning Lab
Osborne High School The Future of PE
South Cobb Early Learning Center Sensory Gym for Early Learners
South Cobb High School We Are THE Eagle SynBio Squad
Wheeler High School Confidence Course Wheeler / Walton Air Force JROTC  

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

No injuries reported in East Cobb school bus crash

by

Cobb Police said Tuesday morning that a school bus was hit by another vehicle on Roswell Road in East Cobb but that there were no injuries.

Police said the crash occurred as the bus was attempting a left turn in the eastbound lane of Roswell Road onto Providence Road West.

That’s close to Walton High School and Dodgen Middle School.

Police said all lanes of traffic affect by the crash have been reopened.

A Cobb County School District spokesperson said that “a Walton bus was involved in an accident when a car made contact with the rear of the bus. We are grateful for the quick response of first responders who arrived to provide support and ensure everyone was okay. Fortunately, students were then able to be transported to school on another bus.”

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

East Cobb schools pace Cobb’s 2024 CCRPI scores

by

Mt. Bethel ES, Cobb CCRPI scores
Mt. Bethel ES was one of five elementary schools in East Cobb with a perfect score in content mastery in the 2024 CCRPI results.

Schools at all grade levels in East Cobb turned in some of the best results in the county in the 2024 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores collected by the Georgia Department of Education.

Students at several elementary, middle and high school levels in East Cobb excelled in particular in the content mastery area, according to data released last week by the state.

The CCRPI is a comprehensive indicator that includes content mastery, progress, closing performance gaps and readiness. It takes in an array of standardized test scores and other metrics.

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, all of those areas were collected and analyzed. At the high school level, graduation rates also were included in the formula.

The Cobb County School District said in a release that the district exceeded state results in 12 of 13 measurements, with a double-digit lead or more the state average in content mastery at the middle school and high school level.

Cobb elementary students outpaced metro Atlanta peers in content mastery, progress and readiness, and matched them in closing the gaps.

Middle school students in Cobb also surpassed others in the area in all four categories, and high school students in Cobb did likewise, including an overall graduation rate of 88.8 percent.

Readiness scores also rose in Cobb in 2024, reflecting Georgia Milestones in literary metrics and other tests indicating students are prepared for the next academic level.

The CCRPI is Georgia’s way of complying with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which requires states to have a statewide accountability system that includes information on how well schools are performing.

Here’s how they break down, per the Georgia Department of Education:

  • Content Mastery includes student scores on statewide assessments in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

  • Progress measures how much growth students demonstrate in English language arts and mathematics and how well English learners are progressing toward English language proficiency.

  • Closing Gaps measures how well schools meet annual improvement targets for student subgroups.

  • Readiness includes literacy scores; student attendance; the percentage of students succeeding in “beyond the core” instruction; accelerated enrollment; pathway completion; and measures of college and career readiness.

  • Graduation Rate includes both the 4- and 5-year graduation rate and is a component for high schools.

CCRPI no longer includes an overall score for school districts, schools or the state. Last year, a new state law was passed in Georgia requiring the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) to calculate a single score for schools and districts.

The following tables were compiled from Georgia Department of Education data. You can search for more results by clicking here; more details on academic perf0rmances resources from the state can be found here.

Elementary Schools

Content Mastery Progress Closing Gaps Readiness
Addison 89.6 87.7 88.5 89.2
Bells Ferry 71.9 97.7 67.7 83.7
Blackwell 68.9 99.2 78.6 85.3
Brumby 46.5 86.4 82.1 75.2
Davis 94.2 80.6 100 93.9
East Side 99.9 94.7 100 94.7
Eastvalley 82.5 90.1 86.7 87.0
Garrison Mill 97.3 97.6 83.3 94.9
Keheley 72.7 89.3 25.08 87.0
Kincaid 90.8 92.5 70.8 90.3
Mt. Bethel 100 99.2 91.7 97.2
Mountain View 100 98.6 96.4 95.5
Murdock 99.9 88.4 96.2 95.3
Nicholson 80.5 73.5 88.5 90.5
Powers Ferry 61.8 76.3 100 81.1
Rocky Mount 96.7 81.8 90.0 90.3
Sedalia Park 62.2 71.0 37.5 82.1
Shallowford Falls 98.5 85.5 77.3 94.3
Sope Creek 100 98.1 84.6 94.3
Timber Ridge 100 89.9 93.8 97.1
Tritt 100 91.7 86.4 95.7

Middle Schools

Content Mastery Progress Closing Gaps Readiness
Daniell 68.9 96.0 42.0 84.0
Dickerson 99.7 97.7 88.0 95.8
Dodgen 98.5 94.3 72.0 95.0
East Cobb 59.2 81.9 36.0 79.7
Hightower Trail 98.1 82.0 95.7 94.0
Mabry 96.3 87.3 82.0 94.4
McCleskey 78.0 94.4 100 89.3
Simpson 96.2 86.9 98.0 91.7

High Schools

Content Mastery Progress Closing Gaps Readiness Grad Rate
Kell 85.4 95.4 70.5 78.4 93.1
Lassiter 100 97.1 83.3 90.0 98.3
Pope 100 88.5 93.7 88.7 97.0
Sprayberry 79.9 95.2 44.4 79.2 90.7
Walton 100 84.8 87.5 92.0 97.8
Wheeler 90.7 97.6 96.3 77.9 90.1

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Banks recognized in farewell to Cobb school board tenure

by

Banks recognized in farewell to Cobb school board tenure

In his final meeting as a Cobb Board of Education member, David Banks was recognized Thursday by his colleagues and Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale for 16 years of service.

During board recognitions and in Ragsdale’s remarks, Banks was honored for the four terms in which he has served as in Post 5 in East Cobb.

Banks, a Republican, did not seek re-election this year for the seat that covers the Walton, Pope and some of the Wheeler attendance zones.

He will be succeeded in January by John Cristadoro, a Republican and a parent of two students in the Walton area.

“It’s been an awesome time,” said Ragsdale, who called Banks “the staunchest supporter of our schools, everywhere in the district.”

A retired technology executive, Banks said in January that he wouldn’t run again, citing age.

“It’s been a great journey,” Banks said in an exchange with Ragsdale during a Thursday night board business meeting. “I wish I had started about 10 years younger.”

He said he is proud of his advocacy in advancing STEM education throughout the district, and in pushing for a new school district central office building in 2010.

Banks also referenced several East Cobb high school attendance zones that have been in his post over the years, saying it’s “been great being a part of those programs. That’s what I’m going to miss.”

But, who narrowly won re-election in 2020, has been a controversial figure during portions of his tenure.

In that re-election bid four years ago, he said the biggest long-term challenge facing the Cobb school district was “white flight,” vowing to work for it “not to become a school system like Atlanta, DeKalb and Clayton.”

The comments by Banks, a strong conservative Republican, triggered a response from then-Democratic board members Charisse Davis and Jaha Howard, with whom he sparred on a number of racial and cultural matters.

Banks also has used his newsletter to decry COVID-19 vaccines and to referr to the illness as the “China virus”
and come under for fire for social media comments disparaging the Roman Catholic Church.

At Thursday’s meeting, Banks expressed his appreciation for “all the friends I’ve made here. In a way I’m going to miss it. But life goes on. I’ve still got my wife to take care of and she’s got me to take care of.

“This has been a great school system. It’s been great getting to know people over the years, and sometimes I’ve been able to help people.”

Banks recognized in farewell to Cobb school board tenure
David Banks is presented with a plaque by Superintendent Chris Ragsdale and Cobb school board colleagues.

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Pope state champion athletes honored by Cobb school district

by

Pope state champion athletes honored by Cobb school district
Pope volleyball team members recognized by the Cobb Board of Education for their Class 5A state championship.

Submitted information and photo:

Pope High School recently capped off an incredible Fall Sports season by winning three 5A state championships in Volleyball and Cross Country. All three state champions were congratulated and celebrated at the December Board of Education meeting.

The 2024 Volleyball title was the Lady Greyhounds 6th championship all-time and second in the last three years. The Greyhounds won the 2022 6A title and took runner-up in 2023. Two senior players, Amanda Vlkovic and Ellis Crawford, were also recently named Cobb’s Athlete of the Week. The state champs finished the 2024 season 36-5, closing out with a 16-game win streak.

“This state title was an incredible accomplishment for us,” said Head Community Coach Erica Miller. “We didn’t start the season as strongly as in years past. We played in so many close sets that we were not afraid of stress or pressure or having to compete fiercely to win. With this earned mindset and the earned confidence that comes from proving yourself repeatedly, we accomplished our dream!”

In Cross Country, the Lady Greyhounds long-distance runners ran a crushing Final 5A race in Carrollton, placing runners first, second, eighth, ninth, and thirteenth. Their overall score was 29 points. To put this in perspective, second-place McIntosh scored 152 points, giving Pope a huge margin of victory of 123 points! This team is full of talent, including overall individual state champion (and AOW winner) Josie Hutchinson. Josie outran the field to finish the 5K race at 19:15.40, nine seconds faster than her second-place teammate, Aislynn Dunn. The other three Pope finishers were Kate Rytlewski (8), Louise Delgado (9), and Ahna Hicks (13). To make things even more interesting, four of these girls are underclassmen, which means this team will be dominant for years to come.

“These ladies all have an incredible amount of talent,” said Head Coach Cathi Monk. “Winning the state title was actually a relief. Having as much team talent as we did challenged the coaching staff to make sure we did all the little things to make sure the girls were successful. Pope has a culture of inspiring athletes to do extraordinary things, and I am glad this team was able to contribute to that.”

Another highlight at Pope is their Flag Football team, which won last year’s Division 3 state championship over District rival Allatoona. This year’s team is picking up right where last year’s left off by winning Area 6 to host the first round of the playoffs. Their overall record is 21-2, and the team is ranked #73 nationally and #7 in the state. Junior QB Abbey Bensman was recently named the Division 3 Area 6 Player of the Year, and senior receiver Addie Daughtry was named Area Offensive Player of the Year. In addition, senior defender Mac Wiley was selected as Area Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

The Greyhounds Flag team took full advantage of playing at home and downed Chattahoochee and Hughes in the first round on Thursday night (December 5). They now advance to play Peach County in the Quarterfinals on December 9.

“It’s a special time around here right now,” said Greyhound Athletic Director Josh Mathews. “All these teams have been impressive, exhibiting top-level focus and determination. As someone who sees a lot of athletic events each year, these teams have demonstrated high levels of excellence. Excellence is uncommon, but Pope has been displaying it on the court, the course, and the field this year.”

That excellence is also being recognized at the collegiate level. Pope’s Class of 2025 has already had 17 student-athletes sign National Letters of Intent to pursue their sport and education at the next level. This represents 3.6% of the senior class, nearly double the national average of 2%. These athletic and academic standouts represent ten sports and 14 schools from the Power Five, D1, D2, NAIA, and D3 levels.

“This group shows why we have had such great performances over the last few years. With another signing day still to come in April, this will be one of Pope’s largest classes of college signees. Watching these young women and men obtain this highly sought-after opportunity to play at the next level has been a true treat. I can’t wait to see how they each further their educational and athletic careers in college and beyond,” concluded AD Mathews proudly.

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

East Cobb school renovation projects on school board agenda

by

Timber Ridge Elementary School, East Cobb Schools, Georgia milestones
Timber Ridge Elementary School

The Cobb Board of Education will be asked Thursday to approve contracts for renovations and to take preparatory steps for replacement projects at several elementary schools in East Cobb.

One agenda item is recommending a contract for $7.691 million for an HVAC replacement, roof replacement, flooring replacement and restroom modernization at Timber Ridge Elementary School.

Another item is recommending three contracts totaling more than $415,000 to conduct parcel surveys and soil testing needed for the design of annex replacement projects at Kincaid, Mt. Bethel, Murdock, Sope Creek and Tritt elementary schools.

Those items and others will be discussed at a board work sessions starting at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, and are listed as action items for the board voting meeting that begins at 7 p.m.

You can view the agendas for the public meetings by clicking here.

An executive session is scheduled in between the public meetings, which will take place in the board room of the Cobb County School District’s central office (514 Glover Street, Marietta).

The open meetings also will be live-streamed on district’s BoxCast channel and on CobbEdTV, Comcast Channel 24.

Thursday’s meetings also will the last for Post 5 board member David Banks, who is retiring after serving four teams as Republican from the East Cobb area.

He will be succeeded by Republican John Cristadoro, a first-time office-holder who will be sworn in in January.

The East Cobb renovation projects are being funded in the current Cobb Education-SPLOST VI collection period. Also on Thursday’s agenda are contracts for the purchases of school buses and Cobb school district police vehicles.

The district is recommending spending $4.287 million ($31.9 million in SPLOST VI funds) for 25 school buses.

Another contract for $379,925 would be used to buy seven 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe 4WD pursuit vehicles for the district’s police department.

School board members also will be asked to approve $100 million in short-term construction notes to continue SPLOST VI construction projects in 2025. Another vote in January will include specifics of a competitive bidding process for the sale of the notes, which are loans that must be paid back by the end of next year.

District staff also will present to the school board proposed changes in administrative policies over school admissions, including the school choice transfer program and other transfer options (pp. 63-104), non-traditional students and home study students.

Other proposed provisions address employee recruitment, leaves and absences and compensation guides and contracts.

The district also will present its 2025 legislative priorities, but did not provide details in the meeting agenda.

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

Kennesaw State announces fall 2024 commencement ceremonies

by

Submitted information:KSU logo

Nearly 3,400 graduates will receive their degrees during Kennesaw State University’s Fall 2024 Commencement ceremonies Dec. 10-13.

KSU undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students will be recognized during eight Commencement ceremonies at the Convocation Center on the Kennesaw Campus. The Fall 2024 graduates represent 120 majors and hail from 37 states in the U.S.

Kennesaw State’s Fall 2024 graduating class also includes:
• 507 first-generation college graduates
• 34 military veterans
• Graduates ranging in age from 18 to 72
• 966 students graduating with the honor of cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude

Commencement schedule
Tuesday, Dec. 10
10 a.m. – College of Computing and Software Engineering (undergraduate students); Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences (psychology undergraduate students)
3 p.m. – Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences (undergraduate and graduate students)

Wednesday, Dec. 11
10 a.m. – Bagwell College of Education; College of Science and Mathematics
3 p.m. – Wellstar College of Health and Human Services

Thursday, Dec. 12
10 a.m. – Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology; College of the Arts3 p.m. – College of Computing and Software Engineering (graduate students); College of Architecture and Construction Management

Friday, Dec. 13
10 a.m. – Coles College of Business (graduate students, management and marketing undergraduates)
3 p.m. – Coles College of Business (undergraduate students in all other majors)
For more information about the graduation ceremonies, visit the Commencement website.

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up, and you’re good to go!

Juvenile arrested for false threats at Allatoona High School

by

Cobb Police said Thursday they’ve arrested and charged a 14-year-old whom they said made separate false threats of violence that prompted a code red lockdown at Allatoona High School.Campbell High School lockdown

Officer Joseph Wilson said in a release that the juvenile’s actions “caused significant harm” at the school in North Cobb.

The incidents were the latest in the Cobb County School District involving reported threats of violence since a deadly school shooting in Barrow County in September.

The 14-year-old, who was identified only as an Allatoona student, was charged with making terroristic threats, transmitting a false public alarm and disrupting operation of a public school, according to Cobb Police.

Wilson said that the Cobb 911 center received a report from the 988 Lifeline Crisis hotline around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday from an individual who texted a message “claiming to be at Allatoona High School with a firearm and intending to harm students.”

The Cobb County School District Police Department was the primary responder, with patrol assistance from Cobb Police, Wilson said.

He said the Cobb Police Criminal Investigations Unit began an independent investigation and concluded that the report was a hoax.

Another 988 Lifeline hotline message was reported to Cobb 911 on Wednesday with identical claims, according to Wilson, who said that “this time, detectives were able to pinpoint the suspect—a 14-year-old male student at Allatoona High School.”

Wilson said the student admitted to making false threats during an interview with police. He was then charged and taken into custody, according to police.

Cobb Police issued a statement from a Cobb school district spokesperson saying that “we are grateful for the quick response of Cobb Schools Police and local law enforcement in investigating the reported threats this week. Their efforts donfirmed the threats were fake, and our students and staff are safe—our top priority.

“In the months since the terrible incident in Barrow County, Cobb schools have been inundated with fake threats, false reports of threats, and incidents of ‘swatting.’ The District takes all reports very seriously and will prosecute those involved to the full extent of the law. This kind of disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. We appreciate students, staff, and parents immediately reporting any safety concerns to the District’s Tipline bycall, text, or email.”

Among the unfounded threats was a reported bomb threat made at Walton High School in September as well as false threats made by a student at Dickerson Middle School, also in September.

School district officials said the Dickerson student was facing criminal charges but didn’t specify them nor did it indicate that individual’s status at the school.

At Osborne High School, two students have been charged with bringing weapons to campus in the last two weeks.

In response to concerns about safety procedures in the Cobb school district, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale announced the hiring of a private intelligence firm he said would augment existing security measures.

Some critics were suspicious of the secretive nature of the announcement, including concealing the name of the company and its leaders who briefed the Cobb school board last month.

Last week, after the firm’s name was publicly revealed, Ragsdale acknowledged that information but also urged his detractors to “take a break.”

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!

 

Sedalia Park ES, Sprayberry HS earn Cobb STEM certifications

by

Sedalia Park ES, Sprayberry HS earn Cobb STEM certifications

Two schools in East Cobb were recognized by the Cobb Board of Education Thursday for earning STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) certifications.

Sedalia Park Elementary School and Sprayberry High School were among the latest Cobb County School District schools that have completed STEM certifications for the district and Cognia, the district’s accrediting agency.

More than 50 schools in the Cobb school district are STEM-certified (criteria here), including Addison ES, Bells Ferry ES, Blackwell ES, Brumby ES, Davis ES, Dodgen MS, East Cobb MS, East Side ES, Eastvalley ES, Garrison Mill ES, Hightower Trail MS, Lassiter HS, Mabry MS, McCleskey MS, Mountain View ES, Pope HS, Rocky Mount MS, Shallowford Falls ES, Simpson MS, Sope Creek ES, Tritt ES, Walton HS and Wheeler HS in East Cobb.

National STEM Day was observed on Nov. 8, and the Sedalia Park and Sprayberry students had their photographs taken at the Cobb school board meeting with board members and Superintendent Chris Ragsdale.

In addition, Sprayberry teacher Dr. Hannah Oldham was recognized for being named the Air and Space Forces Association STEM Teacher of the Year.

She leads Sprayberry High School’s STEM program and is behind Sprayberry students’ twice-winning of the Worldwide Plant Mars Competition.

Sedalia Park ES, Sprayberry HS earn Cobb STEM certifications
Sprayberry HS STEM teacher Dr. Hannah Oldham (front row, third from left), with school and Cobb district leadership.

Related:

 

Get Our Free E-Mail Newsletter!

Every Sunday we round up the week’s top headlines and preview the upcoming week in the East Cobb News Digest. Click here to sign up and you’re good to go!