East Cobb Schools

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!

Cobb school superintendent asks critics to ‘take a break’

by
Cobb school superintendent asks critics to 'take a break'
“It’s clear people want to hear what we have to say,” Watching the Funds-Cobb leader Heather Tolley-Bauer said.

Cobb Board of Education election results last week ensured that a 4-3 Republican majority will continue for the next two years.

But critics of the board and the Cobb County School District, including a Democratic candidate who ran for a seat in East Cobb, vowed that they will continue to speak out.

Following public comments at board meetings Thursday, Cobb superintendent Chris Ragsdale delivered another broadside at those whom he accused of having a political agenda, including school book removals, spending and finance matters, school board redistricting and school safety.

“I would ask this of our critics,” Ragsdale said in reading from prepared remarks. “The election is over. Perhaps you could take a break from the political rhetoric and false allegations for just a bit, allowing us to perform the duties Cobb County expects of us—providing its children with a world-class education in a safe environment.”

He said some of those critics, especially those who have faulted the district for its response to the deadly school shooting in Barrow County, are making false claims about what can be discussed in public, and that its decision to hire a private intelligence firm without going through a formal contractual vote in public violates state procurement laws.

“In the past four years, more activists than can be named or remembered have attempted to take control of your children’s education and our schools,” he said. “While there is a time and place for political debates, they never have a place in our schools.”

You can watch his full remarks by clicking here.

Cobb superintendent Chris Ragsdale said some of the district’s critics have “a goal requiring unreasoning criticism of everything the district attempts to do, regardless of whether the critic knows anything about it. “

Republicans held all three Cobb school board seats that the GOP had held going into the elections, including an open seat in East Cobb in Post 5, where John Cristadoro defeated Democrat Laura Judge.

In two of those races, Democrats fielded candidates who’ve been involved in groups that have been vocal against district and Republican school board leadership.

One of them is Judge, who has been part of Watching the Funds-Cobb, a citizens watchdog group that scrutinizes district finances and spending.

At a work session Thursday, Judge said the Cobb school district needs to demonstrate greater transparency in a variety of ways, including re-establishing parent advisory councils at the school level, and to conduct town halls.

She said the board is too accommodating to “the one employee” who directly answers to it—the superintendent.

“I urge you to stop being a rubber stamp and get back to why you originally ran for your seat, versus holding a party line,” she told school board members during a public comment period.

“I will be advocating relentlessly for policies that truly benefit our children. I will be here to make sure the board upholds its responsibilities, and I’m not going anywhere.”

Heather Tolley-Bauer, a Watching the Funds-Cobb leader and East Cobb resident, followed Judge by saying that the group will continue to monitor district fiscal activities.

The group was outspoken against a proposed $50 million special activities center that the school board dropped from consideration after Watching the Funds-Cobb obtained a site plan the district had not publicly revealed.

She said Watching the Funds-Cobb—which has nearly 3,000 followers on its Facebook page—sent out an e-mail about that issue that reached more than 6,500 people, and had a high click-through rate.

“It’s clear people want to know what we have to say,” she said. “While we don’t have the power to put tens of thousands of messages” to parents as the district does through its online portal, “we don’t need it. Our reach is growing fast.”

She referenced an East Cobb News report quoting Cristadoro as “acknowledging the need for improvement in academics, transparency and public communication by the board. We’re optimistic.

“We’re here to stay, and we’re bringing more Cobb parents with us every day.”

At Thursday night’s board meeting, Watching the Funds-Cobb member Stacy Efrat, also of East Cobb and a Democratic appointee to the Cobb Elections Board, echoed those sentiments.

But Ragsdale countered those criticisms by saying his detractors have “a different—and competing—perspective” about what the district’s priorities should be.

“Some believe schools should spend time and money on a whole variety of ideas that have nothing to do with keeping students safe or the knowledge necessary to prepare them for a life of success,” he said. “It is a vision in which parents and the social and religious beliefs in a child’s home are seen as barriers to overcome rather than partners.

“It is a vision built entirely on the goal of disrupting the educational environment, with little to no concern about how it affects and impacts children, families, or educators. It is a goal requiring unreasoning criticism of everything the district attempts to do, regardless of whether the critic knows anything about it.”

On Friday morning, Ragsdale’s critics pushed back with sarcasm.

Micheael Garza of East Cobb, a Democratic candidate for State House 46 and a member of the Cobb Community Care Coalition, another group opposed to district leadership, responded on social media by translating Ragsdale’s comments in mocking fashion:

“How dare you question us about spending money on keeping our kids safe using secret military intelligence from a company that did not exist a few months ago and that has never used this technology in a school.”

And also:

“‘Can’t you all just go away?’ Says leader of district currently under a new lawsuit for violating the first amendment rights of parents who were denied the right to speak.”

The latter is a reference to a lawsuit filed last month by two Cobb parents, also vocal critics of the district, for alleging their free speech rights have been violated.

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!

The latter

Wheeler Theatre presents ‘ALL MY SONS’ this weekend

by

Wheeler Theatre presents 'ALL MY SONS' this weekend

Submitted information and photo:

Wheeler High School Theatre’s Student Acting class presents Arthur Miller’s Tony Award-winning play All My Sons, opening in Wheeler’s Black Box Theatre with shows on November 15 & 16 at 7:00 pm and November 16 & 17 at 2:00 pm.

Set in 1945 after World War II, this is a story about the Keller Family and how the actions of their father affected those around them, including their neighbors and their life long friends, The Deever Family. An American masterpiece, All My Sons examines the relationships between a father and a son, the price men pay for the American Dream, the moral and emotional scars of war, and human struggle for moral and legal conscience. A family drama that established Arthur Miller as a leading voice in the American theater, All My Sons takes the audience to a startling and heartbreaking conclusion.

ALL MY SONS is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. (www.dramatists.com) PG-13 – not recommended for children under the age of 13.

TICKETS: WHEELERHS.BOOKTIX.COM
Adult Tickets: $20
Student Tickets: $10 / with student ID or children attending with an adult
CCSD Faculty and Staff receive ONE Complimentary Ticket with CCSD ID.

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!

‘Thanks-for-Giving’ campaign provides food to needy families

by

Submitted information:Cobb Schools Foundation

The Cobb Schools Foundation and Cobb County School District (CCSD) are proud to announce a new partnership with the Center for Family Resources (CFR) to support families in need by providing nonperishable food boxes ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. This collaboration aligns with CFR’s annual Thanks-for-Giving campaign, which delivers thousands of meals to families across the community. 

“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership with CFR, which amplifies our shared mission of ensuring that every student and family in Cobb is supported in meaningful ways,” said Cobb Schools Superintendent Chris Ragsdale. “This initiative allows us to help families put food on the table during a critical time of year, and we couldn’t be more proud to work alongside CFR.” 

The Cobb County School District reports approximately 2,000 homeless students each year, with over 40,000 families qualifying for free or reduced lunch. These families are scattered throughout our schools, with 100% of our schools reporting at least one or more homeless students. 

“The Cobb Schools Foundation is committed to enriching the lives of our students and families. This partnership undoubtedly is taking student success to new heights. Schools are limited in resources that support families in need, and partnerships can fill the needs of our families far greater than school staff can,” added Cobb Schools Foundation Executive Director Felicia Wagner.

The food distribution will take place on November 13th and 14th, with schools and volunteers working together to ensure the food reaches families promptly. 

To learn more about the Center for Family Resources and their annual Thanks-for-Giving campaign, visit https://thecfr.org. To learn how to help the Cobb Schools Foundation take student success to new heights, visit the Cobb Schools Foundation website. 

About the Cobb Schools Foundation: The Cobb Schools Foundation is the nonprofit arm of the Cobb County School District, dedicated to fostering student success and enriching educational experiences across the district. 

About the Center for Family Resources (CFR): The Center for Family Resources is a nonprofit organization committed to preventing homelessness and supporting families in need throughout Cobb County.

Related:

KSU ranked highly in survey for military veterans

by

KSU ranked highly in survey for military veterans

Submitted information and photo:

Military Times has recognized Kennesaw State University as one of the nation’s top schools for veterans in its 2024 Best for Vets: Colleges rankings.

The annual Military Times list spotlights the top colleges and universities for military service members and veterans. The 2024 ranking reflects Kennesaw State’s commitment to providing resources and opportunities to the university’s more than 2,000 military-connected students, including nearly 600 veterans.

“Kennesaw State University is proud to support our nation’s veterans in pursuit of their academic and career goals,” KSU President Kathy S. Schwaig said. “This recognition from Military Times reflects our priority to provide a world-class education to students who have served their country, and we will continue to offer support systems that help them succeed both in and out of the classroom.”

Kennesaw State was the first University System of Georgia institution to open a Military and Veteran Services (MVS) department, in 2009, which continues to serve as a comprehensive, easily accessible resource hub for service members, veterans and dependents who want to start or continue their college education. Part of Student Affairs, Military and Veteran Services assists military-connected students with enrolling at KSU, applying for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits, and tapping into resources such as counseling services and career planning.

Along with the resources available on campus, KSU Military and Veteran Services partners with more than 20 community organizations to support veterans. MVS also awards several scholarships, has an active Student Veterans of America chapter, and hosts programming throughout the year to engage all students and connect them with the resources they need.

“We understand the unique challenges that veterans face when transitioning to college life, and we are here to ensure they have the tools and support they need to succeed,” said Stacey Dixon, the director of KSU Military and Veteran Services and a 20-year Marine Corps veteran. “Our team is committed to empowering veterans and military-connected students by providing resources, guidance, and a strong community to help them achieve their aspirations.”

To determine its Best for Vets rankings, Military Times surveys hundreds of colleges and universities across the country about their offerings for veterans. The survey responses are factored along with a scoring rubric that evaluates data from multiple sources.

According to Military Times, student success metrics are the most important factor in determining the ranking of schools, followed closely by the range of military-specific resources and the level of financial assistance schools offer. Admissions and registration policies, human resources, and “assorted miscellaneous considerations” also factor into the scoring rubric.

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!

Cristadoro pledges open door after Cobb school board election

by

Cobb school board candidate John Cristadoro

Like many people on the day after an election, John Cristadoro reported to work on Wednesday.

But he admittedly wasn’t getting much done on the job after receiving, and sending, messages from well-wishers and even his opponent in a Cobb Board of Education race.

Cristadoro, a Republican who won the open Post 5 seat from East Cobb, defeated Democrat Laura Judge with 55 percent of the vote (full results here), winning 21 of 24 precincts.

He received 33,308 votes to 27,368 for Judge in a race involving two parents in the Walton High School cluster who’ve known each other well—Cristadoro coached Judge’s son in youth football.

His race was one of three held by Republicans Tuesday as the GOP clings to a 4-3 majority on the Cobb school board, which has been racked with partisan wrangling in recent years (our previous campaign profile of Cristadoro is here).

But he said he wants his tenure on the board to mirror his campaign to represent the area that includes the Walton, Wheeler and Pope attendance zones.

“I want to be focused on the willingness of people in this community to have a conversation,” Cristadoro told East Cobb News Wednesday afternoon, shortly before he met with current board chairman Randy Scamihorn, a Republican who was re-elected.

“I want to have cordial, and productive conversations.”

Before sitting down with Scamihorn, Cristadoro said he sent a text message to Judge, congratulating her on “a great race” and who is “a good person who cares a lot about about kids.”

Cristadoro pointed out Judge’s vote total and said he wants to continue having a dialogue with her and those who supported her, regardless of partisan affiliation.

He said a good friend who’s a staunch Democrat congratulated him and said she hoped his win would “unite a sadly divisive community.”

Judge, who like Cristadoro was a first-time political candidate, congratulated him in a message to her supporters (her campaign profile is here).

She said that “our campaign was rooted in a desire to improve our schools and ensure every child receives a quality education in a safe and supportive environment.

“Although the outcome wasn’t what we hoped for, our work does not end here. I will continue to advocate for our students and work alongside the community to support our schools in any way I can.”

Like Scamihorn, of Post 1 in North Cobb, and Brad Wheeler, of Post 7 in West Cobb, Cristadoro campaigned on continuing academic excellence in the Cobb County School District.

Democratic candidates in the other races talked about making more dramatic changes than their Republican opponents.

David Chastain, the other GOP board member from Post 4 in East Cobb, sent out occasional campaign e-mails called a “Town Hall Newsletter” noting the district’s high test scores, and alleging that the “far left” Democratic challengers wanted to “indoctrinate our teachers.”

Cristadoro defended Superintendent Chris Ragsdale’s decisions to remove sexually explicit books and materials but stressed academic and financial issues more frequently than cultural conflicts.

“This race means that there was confidence that the people of Post 5 and the county as a whole, that, for the most part, are happy with the direction of our schools,” he said.

He added that there is room for improvement in academics, and with transparency and that the board has an obligation to communicate with the public.

“You can’t make everyone happy,” Cristadoro said. “But it doesn’t mean we cannot continue to strive to hear everyone.”

Cristadoro will take the oath office in January, but wants to start preparing for all that entails right now.

“I’m not just a guy who sits around and waits,” he said.

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!

Kell HS marching band triumphs at 2024 Conquest of Champions

by

Kell HS marching band triumphs at 2024 Conquest of Champions

Submitted information:

At the recent Conquest of Champions hosted by Allatoona High School, the Kell Longhorn Marching Band walked away with a whole host of awards, including Conquest Grand Champion, first in AAAAA Division, overall Gold Division winner, Best General Effect, and Best Music Performance!

Their current show, “Pop,” explores all things pop—music, pop art, things that go “pop,” even pops of color. The production features instantly recognizable classical music from well-known movies and musicals and iconic music by pop legends Michael Jackson, Madonna, Beyonce, and more!

“The beauty of marching band is that it is very subjective,” said Kell Band Director David Roth. “We can only control what we do, not what other bands do or what a judge focuses on. Our barometer for a successful performance at any competition is how good we feel when we walk off the field.”

After their performance at Conquest, every Longhorn band member knew exactly how they had done.

“The students walked off the field literally in tears because they knew they just had their best performance of the season to date. The energy was unmistakable, and the emotion was palpable,” Director Roth said.

The 2024 Kell Marching Band is the largest in school history, with 170 members. The students have been working on this show since band camp in July. All that practice paid off with a superb performance on Buccaneer Field to claim the title of Conquest Grand Champions!

“We are very passionate about using competition as a means to better OURSELVES, not just to win awards,” Director Roth continued. “We constantly remind the students that they will remember the feeling of performing with their best friends in an activity they love far more than any amount of trophies they win.”

That said, Director Roth was still thrilled with the judge’s confirmation of an exceptional performance.

“We are so incredibly happy for them,” he concluded proudly about his Conquest Grand Champions. “Not only for the placements but for their performance and the memories they will carry with them forever.” 

Parents sue Cobb school district over public comment scuffle

by
Cobb school board public conduct policy
Jenny Peterson of East Cobb is a frequent commenter at Cobb school board meetings.

More than a year after they were denied public comment slots in a chaotic incident before a Cobb Board of Education meeting, two parents are suing the Cobb County School District and several employees from its communications department.

Attorneys for Melissa Marten and Jenny Peterson filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for Northern Georgia on Thursday, alleging the district and staff members violated their constitutional free speech rights.

(You can read the lawsuit by clicking here.)

The matter at hand took place before the September 2023 board meeting, at which the public comment sign-up table was moved from inside the lobby of the Cobb school district headquarters, to a location outside of the entrance.

They claimed in their lawsuit that the changes were made to prevent district critics from speaking out against the firing of a Due West Elementary School teacher for reading a book to her students about a child with gender identity issues.

The teacher, Katie Rinderle, is suing the district for her 2023 termination. Her attorney, Craig Goodmark, also is representing Marten and Peterson in the lawsuit filed Thursday.

They allege that Cobb school district officials purposely changed the public comment sign-up process to prevent critical remarks about the Rinderle situation, referring to some of those critics as the “bad guys.”

Members of a group called the Cobb Community Care Coalition, which is generally critical of  Superintendent Chris Ragsdale and the school board’s Republican majority, held a rally before the meeting.

Marten and Peterson, an East Cobb resident, lost their slots, and some people claimed they were shoved and injured in the ensuing chaos.

Critics said the change in sign-up policy occurred without any warning, and the result, according to the lawsuit, is that the “plaintiffs were blocked from speaking publicly in opposition to Defendants actions and policies.”

Marten and Peterson are seeking court action to prevent the district from “manipulation of the signup procedures limiting the opportunity of disfavored viewpoints from speaking during the public comment portion of the CCBOE public meeting.”

The backdrop of that Sept. 14, 2023 meeting also included a series of book removals by Ragsdale for sexually explicit content, of which the Cobb Community Care Coalition also expressed opposition.

The individual defendants named in the suit are Ragsdale and his Chief Strategy and Accountability Officer, John Floresta.

That’s the office that directs the district’s communications office, and whose staffers, including Julian Coca, Nan Kiel, Daniel Vehar, Zach Alderson and Amanda Chambers are also named as defendants.

The lawsuit claims that they used the district’s Microsoft Teams messaging system to plan a method to prevent critical speakers. Marten and Peterson, who are frequent speakers during public comment sessions, were wearing “Replace Ragsdale” shirts at the Sept. 14, 2023 meeting.

The lawsuit said that according to the Microsoft Teams messages, obtained through a public records request, the district communications staffers communicated about changing the sign-up process although some people had been waiting in line for lengthy periods.

“Citizens that had been participating in the anti-Ragsdale protest in front of the CCBOE building were physically moved away from the signup iPad. A video of the altercation shows a transgender student crying as the student was violently pushed to the ground and suffered injuries,” the lawsuit states.

At the school board meeting later, Ragsdale lit into his critics over the book removals and his decision to fire Rinderle, saying that the “ ‘radical new idea’ is not that schools have an obligation to protect students, but the radical new idea is that all children should somehow be forced to encounter sexually explicit language and instruction while at school.”

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 named ‘Literacy Leaders’ by Ga. superintendent

by

Cobb schools named 'Literacy Leaders' by Ga. superintendent

Submitted information and photo:

Georgia Schools Superintendent Richard Woods recently visited Mountain View Elementary School to recognize 25 Cobb County School District schools as Literacy Leaders.

“Literacy is the foundation of success, and it’s clear Cobb students have a strong foundation. Our schools are recognized as leaders because our teachers are able to focus on what matters and use Georgia standards as their guide,” said Board member Brad Wheeler.

Recognizing the success of their students, each honored school received ribbons to add to the school’s Literacy Leader Banner. For seven elementary schools, this was the second year in a row as a Georgia literacy leader. This was the first year the state recognized middle and high schools for literacy achievement, and eight Cobb middle and high schools earned the inaugural honor.

Instructional coaches, teachers instrumental in this reading achievement, and school administrators were honored at the event.

Superintendent Ragsdale praised the work of Cobb educators in keeping the spotlight on literacy.

According to the state school superintendent, Cobb’s literacy success “doesn’t happen just by chance, but it is intentionality.”

Cobb Literacy Leaders being recognized include:

  • Acworth Elementary School
  • Addison Elementary School
  • Davis Elementary School
  • East Side Elementary School
  • Garrison Mill Elementary School
  • Hendricks Elementary School
  • Keheley Elementary School
  • Mount Bethel Elementary School
  • Mountain View Elementary School
  • Murdock Elementary School
  • Nicholson Elementary School
  • Pitner Elementary School
  • Shallowford Falls Elementary School
  • Still Elementary School
  • Sope Creek Elementary School
  • Timber Ridge Elementary School
  • Tritt Elementary School
  • Dickerson Middle School
  • Dodgen Middle School
  • Garrett Middle School
  • McCleskey Middle School
  • McClure Middle School
  • Lassiter High School
  • Pope High School
  • Walton High School

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 Foundation raises $88K for family fund

by

Submitted information:Cobb Schools Foundation

The Cobb Schools Foundation (CSF) is proud to announce the successful completion of a $25K matching gift challenge, raising a total of nearly $100,000 to support families facing crises in our community. Thanks to the generosity of individual donors, local businesses, and organizations, the Foundation exceeded its original goal, raising $63,000, which was then matched by Superior Plumbing presents North Georgia State Fair, bringing the total to $88,000 for the Family Stabilization Fund.

The Family Stabilization Fund provides crucial assistance to families experiencing unexpected hardships, helping to ensure that every student in the Cobb County School District can thrive. These funds will be used to provide emergency resources—such as food, housing assistance, and other essential support—directly to families in need.

This achievement would not have been possible without the incredible support from our matching gift partner, Superior Plumbing presents North Georgia State Fair, and the contributions from several other key supporters, including:

  • C & S Paving
  • LGE Community Outreach Foundation
  • Papa John’s Foundation’s 2024 Building Community Fund Grant
  • Keylan and Erika Mitchell
  • North Cobb Rotary
  • John Thombley
  • And many other generous donors

“The overwhelming response to this matching gift challenge demonstrates the strength and compassion of our community,” said Felicia Wagner, Executive Director of the Cobb Schools Foundation. “Times are tough right now, and these funds will make a significant impact for families who are struggling, helping to alleviate some of the burdens that may disrupt a child’s education and well-being. Our social workers are dedicated to maximizingthe impact of these gifts and work so well with many other local agencies that we are equally grateful for.”

The Cobb Schools Foundation extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to this campaign, helping us far exceed our original goal. With nearly $100,000 raised, we can continue to provide critical support to those who need it most.

The Cobb Schools Foundation is the nonprofit arm of the Cobb County School District, dedicated to supporting the district’s mission of student success. Through programs and initiatives that address students’ immediate needs and enhance their educational experience, the Foundation works to ensure that every student can succeed.

For more information about the Family Stabilization Fund and the Cobb Schools Foundation, please visit www.cobbschoolsfoundation.org or contact cobbschoolsfoundation@cobbk12.org.

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!

Walton HS students, staff to be tested for tuberculosis

by

More than 300 at Walton HS to be tested for tuberculosis

Cobb and Douglas Public Health said Friday that around 300 students and staff at Walton High School will have to undergo testing for tuberculosis next week.

Valerie Crow, director of communications for the agency, said in response to an inquiry by East Cobb News Friday afternoon that the testing will take place Tuesday at the school.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that is spread by germs through the air and attacks the lungs and other parts of the body.

Crow said there is one confirmed case of tuberculosis at Walton “and not an outbreak,” but she couldn’t provide more specifics due to federal student privacy laws.

Walton has an enrollment of nearly 2,700 students, one of the largest in the Cobb school district.

Crow said her agency and Cobb County School District staff  identified those who may have been exposed and will be administering a mandatory Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) on Tuesday.

She said that “even though the risk is very minimal, Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) is offering every precaution as recommended by the State of Georgia TB Guidelines.”

Cobb and Douglas Public Health is an agency of the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Crow said those individuals who need to be tested but don’t do so at school Tuesday will be required to get tested by a private doctor.

“They will be responsible to provide a written report on physician’s office letterhead verifying the test was completed, with the date, and test result before they will be permitted to return to school,” Crow said.

She said a positive test means someone has “been exposed to someone with active tuberculosis,” and that all of those who have a positive reaction “will have a chest x-ray to rule out active disease.”

Crow said that if the test x-ray is negative, “they will be offered preventative medication. If the chest x-ray is positive, they will be treated for the disease.”

She provided a link to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control that explains TB exposure in more detail, and “especially the ‘what to expect if you have been named as a contact of someone with active TB disease’ section.”

At least one private pediatric practice in East Cobb has notified patients about the matter, saying that “we understand that receiving this letter could be distressing for your family but want to reassure you that the Department of Public Health will be appropriately screening for any potential infection.

“We ask that you please cooperate with their efforts to make sure your student is properly monitored post-exposure.”

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!

Company ‘partnering’ with Cobb schools on safety identified

by
Company 'partnering' with Cobb schools on safety identified
“Rob” speaking to the Cobb Board of Education on Oct 18, is the founder of an intelligence firm working with the Cobb County School District.

The Cobb County School District’s new partner on safety issues is an intelligence firm that wasn’t identified last week when making a presentation about the new plans before the Cobb Board of Education.

The AJC on Friday revealed the company is the Servius Group, and its CEO and founder is Rob Sarver, and also reported that the district has confirmed that information.

At the meeting last week, the district wouldn’t say how much money it’s spending, but Friday told the newspaper it has has spent less than $200,000 on a non-contractual basis.

At the Oct. 18 school board meeting, four intelligence officials, including a man who identified himself only as “Rob” (above) , who said he was a former Navy SEAL, broadly outlined services they’ll be provide in what Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said would be a long-term association.

They include scraping social media accounts and using a bevy of behavioral indicators to detect possible threats and risks before they happen.

Other efforts involve counterintelligence techniques as well as employing data science and machine-learning components.

While the new partnership came about in the wake of the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School, the new measures are also designed to address gang activity, cyberviolence and other safety threats.

The AJC reported Friday that “the district said Servius would only get basic school directory information such as what schools share with the companies that produce yearbooks, textbooks and diplomas.”

The company has conducted risk assessments at three unidentified schools in the Cobb district and will be conducting others on all campuses, according to Ragsdale’s remarks last week.

The AJC report said it identified Servius through Sarver’s LinkedIn credentials, which indicate he’s the author of an upcoming book, “Warrior to Civilian: The Field Manual for the Hero’s Journey.”

The report said Sarver confirmed that information and said that Servius has worked with schools “elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad.”

Servius Group is based in Florida but there’s little other public information available. A domain name tied to the company is parked with no additional content.

Ragsdale said last week that most of the funding for the intelligence firm will come from previously budgeted sources and a state school safety grant.

The Georgia legislature this year approved an amount of $47,124 per school in state funding to be used for security initiatives.

On Thursday, State Rep. Devan Seabaugh, a Republican from Marietta, issued a release saying that  after brainstorming with Ragsdale about the issue, “I was able to connect the superintendent with highly trained intelligence officials I’ve collaborated with on other projects to explore how cutting-edge technology might be utilized to proactively identify potential threats to school safety.”

“It is certainly a step in the right direction in helping keep our kids, teachers and staff safe, and along with the safety measures already in place I think this approach could serve as a model program for other school districts across the state.”

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 teachers of the year honored at Wheeler HS celebration

by
Cobb teachers of the year honored at Wheeler HS celebration
Cobb school superintendent Chris Ragsdale with teacher of the year recipients Jamiliah Weathersby (L) of East Cobb Middle School and Evan Howard of Mabry Middle School.

The Cobb County School District gathered school-level teacher of the year honorees this week at Wheeler High School for a celebration.

The event took place in Wildcat Arena, as students from some of the schools cheered on the teachers in a pep-rally format.

They included Karen Wright, the Cobb school district’s teacher of the year, from Big Shanty Elementary School.

Here are the individual teachers of the year from schools in East Cobb:

  • Addison ES, Michelle Sampson
  • Bells Ferry ES, Barbara Barrington
  • Blackwell ES, Courtney LaPonsey
  • Brumby ES, Krista Smith
  • Daniell MS, Kanika Nolasco
  • Davis ES, Melissa Bujnoch
  • Dickerson MS, Jenna Lawrence
  • Dodgen MS, David Gabel
  • East Cobb MS, Jamiliah Weathersby
  • East Side ES, Lisa Kiel
  • Eastvalley ES, Allyson Merritt
  • Garrison Mill ES, Colleen Crotty
  • Hightower Trail MS, Kati Stewart
  • Keheley ES, Katie Biello
  • Kell HS, Lauren Forbes
  • Kincaid ES, Brittney Billingslea
  • Lassiter HS, Erin Corbin
  • Mabry MS, Evan Howard
  • McCleskey MS, Samuel Foster
  • Mt. Bethel ES, Colleen Jankovich
  • Murdock ES, Jennifer Kelly
  • Nicholson ES, Andrea Vernon
  • Pope HS, Peter Trentacoste
  • Powers Feerry ES, Heather Conklin
  • Rocky Mount ES, Adrian Aumann
  • Sedalia Park ES, Emily Tongamoa
  • Sballowford Falls ES, Jamie Nichols
  • Simpson MS, Katey Crispo
  • Sope Creek ES, Kristy Roberts
  • Sprayberry HS, Emily Beatty
  • Timber Ridge ES, Ron Rabil
  • Tritt ES, Alison Friend
  • Walton HS, Rachel Cook
  • Wheeler HS, Will Dezern

Cobb teachers of the year honored at Wheeler HS celebration

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 get intelligence help to boost safety plans

by
Cobb schools to hire intelligence firm to boost safety plans
“An off-the-shelf solution won’t work” when it comes to school safety, Cobb school board members were told Thursday.

A group of private high-tech professionals with experience in military and national security operations has conducted safety assessments at three schools in the Cobb County School District and will eventually do the same for other schools.

That’s according to Superintendent Chris Ragsdale, who on Thursday announced a new “partnership” with a company that signals “a new era” in an effort to become more proactive about school safety.

He did not identify the schools, nor did he name those doing the assessments.

“Although they were impressed with our schools’ preparedness, they identified safety solutions that could be employed and tailored specifically for each Cobb school,” the district said in a statement issued later Thursday.

Nor did Ragsdale say how much that partnership will cost, but that “local funds are available” that have previously been secured and that there is state funding for school security and safety efforts that he could explain in executive session.

In the wake of a fatal mass-shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Cobb and other school districts have been responding to increased concerns about safety and in particular the presence of guns on school campuses.

Ragsdale said the intelligence operations will supplement, and not replace, existing safety measures headlined by the Cobb Shield program and that feature regular Code Red drills.

The Cobb school district spends around $35 million a year for safety and security measures, mostly with its police department of 85 officers.

“No price is too high to protect students and staff,” he said.

Since the Apalachee shootings, threats have been made at a number of Cobb schools, including Walton High School and Dickerson Middle School, but the district said there have been no active threats on campuses.

The safety presentation Ragsdale promised in September took place at a Cobb Board of Education meeting Thursday night and featured four individuals with intelligence expertise.

A private intelligence company will be conducting security assessments across the Cobb school district.

Citing security concerns, they also used only their first names when explaining an overview of the services that will be provided in an ongoing relationship.

“It’s a process, not a product,” Ragsdale said of the district’s work with the intelligence company.

It’s a multi-level process that involves collecting intelligence information on potentially threatening individuals, including using counterintelligence techniques, making a “socio-cognitive” analysis of behavioral risks as well as employing data science and machine-learning components.

The intelligence company was co-founded by a former Navy SEAL, who led the presentation, along with a former federal counterintelligence officer, a cognitive scientist and a data scientist.

To view following slides that were presented to the school board Thursday, click the middle button.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The intelligence officials focused on proactive strategies that are designed to help students, teachers, staff and parents detect trouble before it arises.

A woman who told school board members she has been a counterintelligence agent supporting the Federal Bureau of Investigation explained 16 safety indicators that will be employed “to help equip school officials to stop these threats themselves.”

Another woman summarized data science and machine-learning elements that provide real-time risk monitoring indicators.

And “Robert,” a cognitive scientist, laid out strategies to identify psychological, cultural and social drivers behind potentially threatening behavior.

Counterintelligence strategies are designed “to help equip school officials to stop these threats themselves.”

When asked by school board member Becky Sayler how these measures would involve community, he responded that they were designed to identify “early on where support is needed and then work with stakeholders to get those kids the support they need.”

When school board member Brad Wheeler asked “What can parents do?” Ragsdale responded that “parents need to know the warning signs . . . . but we’re educators. We don’t know how to spot the warning signs.”

The monitoring would include, but not be limited to, scraping social media data “to customize a solution for the community,” he said.

“One school will be different from the others.”

“Rob,” the intelligence company CEO, explained that the crux of his company’s work is to customize down to the school level, since every campus has different layouts, entry points and logistics, as well as socio-cultural dynamics.

“If you have seen one school, you have seen only one school,” he said. “An off-the-shelf solution will not work.”

He also said that “over the past months, our work has put Cobb County on the forefront of school safety in the state of Georgia and on a national level.” 

Ragsdale said the next steps are to identify “the next set of schools” to undergo security assessments, but a timetable wasn’t mentioned.

“Our parents have to know that when they bring their kids to school, they’re safe,” Ragsdale said.

Taking additional steps to enhance safety by working with those whose expertise is beyond what Cobb currently provides is the only option, he said.

“It’s not needed, it’s required, if we want to maintain student and staff safety. This is not a proof of concept. This is our partnership, and we’re looking forward to a long relationship.”

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 remove six more books for explicit content

by

Cobb schools remove six more books for explicit content

Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said Thursday that six more books have been removed from library shelves and curriculum lists because of sexually explicit content.

It’s the second month in a row that many titles have been removed as the district continues and ongoing process of flagging materials that are explicit, lewd, obscene, vulgar, or otherwise inappropriate for minors.

The count is up to 32 books that have been removed, out more than a million titles circulating within the Cobb school district.

The latest books that have been removed altogether are:

  • “The Summer of Owen Todd,” by Tony Abbott
  • “More Happy Than Not,” by Adam Silvera
  • “This Book is Gay,” by Juno Dawson
  • “We Know It Was You,” by Maggie Thrash
  • “The Sun and Her Flowers,” by Rupi Kaur
  • “City of Saints and Thieves,” by Natalie Anderson

“This is not a book ban,” Ragsdale said, referencing critics who have been making that claim since the removals began last year (his full remarks here).

He repeated concerns about parental rights and said that educators “do not want to be on the front lines of the culture wars and do not want to use their classrooms and instructional time to promote a social activists’ agenda that has not nothing to do with instruction.”

Ragsdale said that position is consistent with the Cobb school district’s deference to parents on COVID-19 matters, including masks and vaccines.

“Not only is protecting students from sexually explicit content the best—the only—decision, it also protects decisions which should be made at home by parents.”

Most of his broadsides were leveled at parents he said were claiming book bans for political reasons.  Ragsdale urged those opposing the removals to read the books.

“No matter your decision, our board has and continues to hold me accountable to the teaching of your children while you raise your family.

“We will continue to focus on that education. A focus that ensures that the education we provide is the best in metro Atlanta, but is consistently recognized as one of the best in the nation.”

An independent group of parents has compiled a list of the removed books in Cobb and placed in the Books In Schools website.

“Our mission is to provide clear and comprehensive reviews of book content, focusing on areas of concern such as profanity, nudity, and sexual content,” the group claimed on its site, but didn’t identify any individuals.

“We aim to make these reviews accessible to all parents, empowering them to make informed decisions about the books their children read.”

At Thursday’s Cobb school board meetings, none of those critics spoke during public comment, but a local representative of Gays Against Groomers spoke in support of the book removals.

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 candidate profile: John Cristadoro, Post 5

by

Cobb school board candidate John Cristadoro

As he’s campaigned for public office for the first time, John Cristadoro said he’s heard from parents and others who’ve suggested that the Cobb County School District needs to consider making considerable change to improve.

He couldn’t disagree more.

The parent of a Walton varsity volleyball player and a Dickerson Middle School student, Cristadoro said he’s running for a seat on the Cobb Board of Education to preserve what he says is a successful formula for all students to succeed.

“Cobb County schools are amazing,” Cristadoro said in a recent interview with East Cobb News, adding that his primary objective, if elected to the open Post 5 seat, “is to help keep Cobb schools excellent.”

He’s a Republican facing Democrat Laura Judge (our profile of her is here) in the Nov. 5 general election, with the winner succeeding retiring four-term GOP member David Banks.

Cristadoro’s website can be found by clicking here.

Post 5 includes most of the Pope, Walton and Wheeler attendance zones and some of the Sprayberry zone (see map below), and was redrawn by the Georgia legislature this year after being under a federal court order due to the Voting Rights Act.

Cristadoro, a digital media entrepreneur who coaches his son’s 8th grade football team, is aware of the partisan dynamic at stake in this election.

Republicans hold a 4-3 majority, and GOP incumbents Randy Scamihorn and Brad Wheeler are also up for re-election.

Wheeler and Banks both narrowly won re-election in 2020, and since then partisan division has increased.

Cristadoro was recruited to run by former Cobb Chamber of Commerce president John Loud, a business client, who also is backing Republican Cobb Commission Chair candidate Kay Morgan.

But Cristadoro said he listens to Democratic voters and believes his priorities shouldn’t have a partisan edge.

The board’s GOP majority and Superintendent Chris Ragsdale have come in for criticism on a number of topics, but Cristadoro defends the records of both.

“I could care less about partisan affiliation,” he said, adding that what he calls a “hyperpartisan” atmosphere “is what happens when some people are upset.”

He said the board has done well in its key roles—approving the superintendent’s contract, backing state academic standards, being a voice for constituents, ensuring academic excellence and continuing accreditation and passing a balanced budget—all of which have the Cobb school district positioned for continued success.

Safety

The recent fatal mass shootings at Apalachee High School have prompted calls in Cobb for stronger security measures.

Cristadoro was coaching the Walton 8th grade football team recently in a game at the South Cobb High School stadium when shots rang out. One person was injured, and a 14-year-old was detained.

“We heard something go pop, and realized it was a shooting,” he said.

Within a minute, “there were like 40 cops and we took cover in an auditorium.

“At that moment, there was no safer place in Cobb County” because of the quick response from law enforcement, which included the presence of officers from a nearby Cobb Police precinct.

“There are always threats to our kids,” Cristadoro said, but he’s confident the Cobb school district is adequately addressing the issue (Ragsdale has said he’s making a safety presentation this month).

Book removals

Cristadoro also supports Ragsdale’s efforts to remove books from school libraries that have sexually explicit content.

He said he opened up one of the removed books, “Flamer,” and wondered, “why would a parent want to expose their kid to this? It’s the job of the schools to evaluate inappropriate content.”

He said he doesn’t understand those parents and others who complain of “book bans.”

“Why do they want to die on that hill? If you talk to a sensible parent, they want to have their parental rights protected.”

Academics

Cristadoro’s daughter is an honor student at Walton, but he said he understands speculation surrounding the school that “achievers get more attention.”

He doesn’t think there needs to be dramatic change to boost students at all levels of the academic performance level. Improved test scores across the board reflect efforts to focus on areas of need, rather than through major changes.

“Can we improve?” he said. “Yes, but in general things are pretty great here. We have a solid reputation for academic excellence, and I want to continue that.”

Cristadoro also supports efforts to introduce high school students to entrepreneurial initiatives.

Finances

Cristadoro thinks the district has been a good steward of taxpayer money, despite complaints from critics about a $50 million proposed special events center that eventually was scuttled.

Cristadoro said he doesn’t know “all that went into that decision,” but said some district critics “pick and choose” their topics.

He said he “couldn’t say yes or no” to whether he would have supported the special events center—with opponents revealing site plans the district never released, showing it to be on a larger scale than initially proposed.

But with a district annual budget of more than $1 billion, Cristadoro said he’s puzzled that the focus is on only a number of items.

“They seem to beat the same issues,” he said. “Sure these things deserve a conversation, but it’s over and over and over again.”

Common ground

Despite some of the sharp differences on key issues, Cristadoro said his discussions with parents and potential constituents have been positive and constructive.

He senses that most of them are more concerned with their children’s progress in school and not focused on a party affiliation next to a candidate’s name, or some of the topics that command attention at school board meetings.

“There are a lot of people who are issue-focused and not candidate-focused, and I think that’s great,” he said.

Some Republicans have said a Democratic board majority would usher in the wrong kind of change, and most likely lead to a new superintendent.

Cristadoro hasn’t gone that far, but said that “people really do appreciate our district” and aren’t pining for a a comprehensive overhaul as a means to making progress.

“We could always be working together to focus on what’s right,” he said, “and not just on what’s wrong.”

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!

Wheeler, Walton post best 2024 Cobb schools ACT scores

by

Wheeler name change

Two high schools in East Cobb led the Cobb County School District in overall ACT scores in 2024.

Wheeler and Walton, in fact, were tied at the top, with average composite scores of 26 (out of a possible 36), according to the Cobb school district.

The ACT (American College Testing) tests students in four subject areas—English, math, reading and science, and combines those to determine a composite score as well.

Pope’s composite score of 25.2 and Lassiter’s 24.0 were third, and fourth, respectively, among the 16 traditional high schools in Cobb, whose district-wide composite score was 22.8.

The results from those four high schools in East Cobb mirror recently released SAT scores.

“Cobb students are well-prepared for college, careers, and beyond – ACT scores are another way their parents can be confident in the education they are receiving,” said Cobb school board chairman Randy Scamihorn in a district release.

The district-wide scores and most individual school scores were up from 2023, and are still rebounding from the start of the COVID period (see 2021 scores, for example).

The Wheeler and Walton scores for 2024 are in the Top 10 among public high schools in Georgia.

More Cobb info can be found by clicking here; click here for school-level and here for district-level scores compiled by the Georgia Department of Education.

The table below details the ACT scores at East Cobb high schools; the number in parenthesis next to the school name indicates the number of students at that school who took the test.

2024 Avg. Comp. Avg. English Avg. Math Avg. Reading Avg. Science 2023 Avg. Comp.
Kell (71) 20.9 19.8 20.4 22.5 20.5 20.6
Lassiter (202) 24.0 23.4 23.7 25.1 23.4 24.4
Pope (180) 25.2 25.1 24.4 26.2 24.5 24.5
Sprayberry (94) 21.5 21.3 20.1 22.7 21.7 21.1
Walton (297) 26.0 25.9 25.4 26.6 25.5 25.8
Wheeler (106) 26.0 25.6 25.7 26.4 25.8 26.5
Cobb (2,143) 22.8 22.2 21.9 23.9 22.5 22.7

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 candidate profile: Laura Judge, Post 5

by

Laura Judge has said that her son inspired her run for the Cobb Board of Education more than a year ago.Laura Judge, Cobb school board candidate

As early voting gets underway in the 2024 general election, Judge reiterated that kids—her own and well as others—remain the focal point of her campaign.

“The [school board] representative didn’t match what was in our home,” Judge said, a reference to retiring school board member David Banks.

Running to succeed him, she added, is “being that role model for them.”

A Democrat and first-time candidate for public office, Judge is seeking the Post 5 post, which comprises most of the Walton and Wheeler and some of the Pope attendance zones.

Her daughter is in 5th grade at Mt. Bethel Elementary School and her son is a freshman at the School for International Studies at North Cobb High School, a magnet program.

Judge, who runs a content marketing company with her husband, will be facing Republican John Cristadoro, also a political newcomer and Walton-zone parent. Neither candidate had a primary opponent.

The winner will follow retiring four-term Republican Banks, who’s been a lightning rod during his tenure on the board.

The Post 5 seat is one of three on the seven-member Cobb school board currently occupied by Republicans, who hold a 4-3 majority.

While the East Cobb-based seat is in one of the remaining Republican strongholds in Cobb County, Democrat Charisse Davis represented the area when Post 6 still included the Walton and Wheeler zones.

In recent years, partisan differences have become more pronounced on the board. In announcing her candidacy last year, Judge said she doesn’t want “radical change,” and reiterated that point in a recent East Cobb News interview.

“This should be about our kids,” she said. “My platform—I don’t think these are partisan things.”

You can visit Judge’s campaign website by clicking here; East Cobb News has interviewed Cristadoro and will be posting his profile shortly.

“I want our district to stay the beacon it is but make improvements along the way so everyone can feel included,” Judge said.

Her three priorities would address fiscal, literacy and communications issues she said can be better in the Cobb County School District.

Cobb school board candidate profile: Laura Judge, Post 5
The Post 5 lines redrawn in 2023 include most of the Walton and Wheeler and some of the Pope attendance zones.

Finances

A former member of Watching the Funds-Cobb—a citizens group that scrutinizes Cobb school district finances—Judge said a decision by the board in July to cancel plans for a $50 million events center exemplifies spending and communications concerns.

Superintendent Chris Ragsdale strongly pushed the center as a venue for graduation ceremonies, but the district didn’t release a detailed site plan.

Watching the Funds was opposed from the beginning, and released those plans shortly before Ragsdale recommended the project be scuttled. The plans included an arena-style facility and expanded meeting space.

“It should have come to someone leaking the plans to see what they were doing,” Judge said.

She said she heard from parents who wondered what the value was and how it boosted students’ education.

“We don’t do things sight unseen,” she said. The special events center “was sight unseen.”

Literacy

Judge got involved with literacy issues after her daughter’s struggles with reading.

She said the Cobb school district has made strides with post-COVID literacy initiatives, but she still has “not seen measurable goals.”

Judge supports new programs along those lines that include more dyslexia screening, among other things.

Right now, she said those issues are largely undertaken at the school level, but “I would like to see this addressed as a district.”

She said 75 percent of Cobb students are reading on grade level, and that number hovers around 85 percent at schools in the East Cobb area, but she would like to see those numbers go up.

Communications

Cobb school district and school board critics have complained for several years that there’s not enough transparency on key issues, including meeting agendas and the budget.

Cobb posts meeting agendas roughly 48 hours in advance of meetings, the minimum for doing so for in Georgia school districts.

Judge would like to see those agendas posted even earlier, to give the public more time to digest what’s coming up.

The same goes for public budget hearings that are required by law. But she said the schedules for those hearings need to be made “more responsive,” and not right before the budget is adopted in the spring.

Judge also would like to see the Cobb school district revive the parent advisory councils that were at schools.

She said that the Cobb school district’s success may have prompted some defensiveness in response to some of those critics.

“My impression is they don’t like criticism,” she said. “When you’ve done well for so long, I can understand that.

“People come here for the schools, and when [the distict is] questioned, it’s a defense mechanism.”

She added that “we can work with constructive criticism. It gives us an idea of how we can improve.”

Safety

Keeping students in a safe environment is “not just about shootings,” Judge said.

The recent deadly shooting at Apalachee High School prompted a number of threats in Cobb, including Dickerson Middle School, and Walton High School, that the Cobb school district has said are not actual threats to those campuses.

“I know our district takes every threat as a serious threat, and I believe we have really good security,” she said, referring to the district’s police department.

“But what I miss is a conversation with the parents. The community just needs the reassurance.”

At the September board meeting, Ragsdale said he would be making a security presentation when the board meets again later this week.

Judge said other safety issues concern those students who don’t feel secure due to such matters as anti-Semitic threats. The Cobb school district has done away with a “No Place for Hate” program prepared by the Atlanta office of the Anti-Defamation League.

Book removals

Judge has been among those parents questioning Ragsdale’s removals of books in school libraries he said contain sexually explicit content.

“I believe that our superintendent thinks he is keeping our kids safe,” Judge said. “What I can’t entirely agree with is the superintendent’s unilateral decision to remove books he has deemed
inappropriate. True parental involvement and choice means having a transparent process allowing parents or caregivers to review and challenge book removals.”

Judge said the Cobb school district should use the expertise of media specialists “to make sure that our students are reflected and educated properly. Their voices in this process are also important. This ensures a balanced approach respecting all viewpoints.”

“What happens if a book removed reflects our community’s values? Some of these books that have been removed have been on our shelves for years, why did the district just find out about them? How do we need to address our operational or procurement policies as a team focused on our students? Both our board and district policies must reflect a wide range of perspectives, ensuring educational content meets the needs of our community and follows state standards, while fostering a respectful dialogue among all stakeholders.”

Leadership challenge

In summing up her campaign pitch, Judge said that “I want our leadership to match the stellar schools that we have.”

She said that she’s “not going to be someone that’s going to pick fights. Our kids should be able to see us working together. We agree on a lot more than we disagree, because it’s not just about my kids, but all of our kids.”

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!

Lassiter leads Cobb high schools in 2024 graduation rates

by

Lassiter High School graduation rate

For the third year in a row, Lassiter High School led the Cobb County School District in its graduation rate in 2024.

According to data released by the Georgia Department of Education, 98 percent of Lassiter’s Class of 2024 (435 of 444 seniors) received their diplomas in May.

That’s just above 97.6 percent for Walton and Harrison and 97.3 percent for Pope.

Cobb’s overall graduation rate was 87.9 percent, up from 87.7 percent in 2023 and above the Georgia average of 85.4 percent, according to a Cobb school district release.

In addition, the graduation rates at Sprayberry High School was 90.8 percent, a 3.3-percent increase from last year, the highest jump in the district.

The figures are compiled as part of what the state calls the “4-Year Cohort Graduation Rate.”

That is defined as follows:

“The number of students who graduate in four years with a regular high school diploma, divided by the number of students who form the adjusted cohort for the graduation class.”

The federal rate is calculated in the ninth grade, and includes even students who are enrolled only for a day.

Cobb also produces what it calls “a more complete” graduation rate, comparing the actual class sizes as they go through the 10th, 11th and 12th grades.

Those numbers have Kell and Pope at 100 percent, and with every other Cobb high school at least atd 97,3 percent.

“For students enrolled in Cobb Schools for at least 2 years, the District’s graduation rate jumps by 5.9 percentage points to 93.8% and steadily increases the longer a student is enrolled,” the Cobb release said.

“For students enrolled all four years of high school, Cobb’s ‘real’ graduation rate skyrockets to 99.1%.”

The Georgia Department of Education said its 85.4 percent graduation rate, which rose from 84,4 percent last year, is an all-time high.

“A total of 115 Georgia school districts recorded graduation rates at or above 90%, and 44 districts recorded rates at or above 95%. Georgia’s statewide graduation rate has increased by 18 percentage points since 2011,” Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods said in a release.

Grad Class Size Total Graduates 2024 Rate 2023 Rate
Kell 371 342 92.2 93.8
Lassiter 444 435 98.0 98.4
Pope 446 434 97.3 95.6
Sprayberry 434 394 90.8 87.5
Walton 653 637 97.6 96.8
Wheeler 577 512 88.7 90.7
Cobb 9260 8188 87.9 87.7

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!