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
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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
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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.
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.”
David Banks is presented with a plaque by Superintendent Chris Ragsdale and Cobb school board colleagues.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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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.
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“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.”
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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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.
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.
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.”
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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