East Cobb Schools

Lassiter speech and debate team prevails at state championship

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Lassiter speech and debate team prevails at state championship

Submitted information and photo:

Lassiter High School’s Speech and Debate Team has once again proven its excellence, earning top honors at the Georgia Forensic Coaches Association (GFCA) Varsity State Speech and Debate Championship. The team secured the State Championship in Speech Sweepstakes and finished as the State Runner-Up in Overall Sweepstakes, solidifying their place among Georgia’s best.

This remarkable achievement recognizes Lassiter as the top-performing Speech Team in the state and the second-best overall Speech and Debate Team at the prestigious competition.

“Winning the State Speech Sweepstakes Championship and securing the title of State Runner-Up Overall testifies to the dedication to excellence exemplified by the Lassiter Trojans,” praised Lassiter English teacher Jonathan Waters, who coaches the debate team along with Social Studies teacher Christina Cazzola. “The students worked tirelessly and committed themselves to the hard work of a long season. Their coaches couldn’t be prouder!”

Outstanding Student Achievements

Lassiter’s talented students delivered exceptional performances across multiple categories, bringing home individual state titles and top placements.

State Champions: Emma Rasco – Program of Oral Interpretation Prioska Baruah – Original Oratory

State Runners-Up: Sophia Martin – Program of Oral Interpretation Zarah Scott – Informative Speaking

State Finalists and Semifinalists: 

  • Zarah Scott – Impromptu Speaking (Finalist)
  • Annabel Dutta – Original Oratory (Semifinalist)
  • Samuel Lamirand – Original Oratory (Semifinalist)
  • Debate Achievements: Adeleine Choi – Lincoln Douglas (Quarterfinalist)
  • Madison Kang & Niharika Raman – Public Forum (Quarterfinalists)

Coaching Excellence

Lassiter’s success is a testament to the dedication and leadership of their outstanding coach, Jonathan Waters. His impact on the program was recognized at the state level with two prestigious honors:

  • GFCA Speech Coach of the Year
  • Induction into the GFCA Hall of Fame

These awards celebrate his unwavering commitment to the team and his role in shaping the next generation of speech and debate champions.

A Legacy of Excellence

Lassiter’s Speech and Debate Team continues to set a high bar for success, demonstrating skill, passion, and dedication in competitive speech and debate. Their remarkable performance at the state championship reflects countless hours of preparation and a culture of excellence fostered by both students and coaches. Congratulations to all Lassiter competitors, Coach Waters, and the entire Speech and Debate Team on this extraordinary achievement!

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Cobb school board extends superintendent’s contract to 2028

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Cobb superintendent to make school safety presentation

With virtually no discussion, the Cobb Board of Education on Thursday extended the contract of Superintendent Chris Ragsdale through February 2028.

The 6-0 vote took place after an executive session. In the last two years, the vote was largely along 4-3 partisan lines, with the board’s Republicans in favor and with the Democrats opposed.

Democratic board member Becky Sayler was absent from the meeting.

Ragsdale’s latest one-year extension continues his annual salary at $350,000. Unlike a fiery meeting last year, this year’s extension came without much incident.

After a series of votes after executive session, board chairman David Chastain said “we have another personnel motion.”

That was introduced by newly elected board member John Cristadoro of Post 5 in East Cobb, and immediately all six members in attendance raised their hands.

Afterward, there was a smattering of applause from the audience.

Ragsdale said that “I appreciate the vote of support and confidence.”

During a public comment session before the vote, some of Ragsdale’s familiar critics spoke out against what they anticipated would happen.

Former Cobb school counselor Jennifer Susko, wearing a “No Confidence in Ragsdale” shirt, noted that attendees at board meetings now have to walk through metal detectors at the Cobb school district central office as a safety measure not employed at the schools.

She’s been among those protesting Ragsdale and the board’s Republican majority, and which got involved in a scuffle before a board meeting in September 2023 that led to a lawsuit against the district.

“No one ever claimed that y’all’s biggest fear in the lobby—East Cobb moms in orange cardigans—were a threat,” she said.

“Chris said metal detectors don’t work, until it’s supposedly about yourselves in this building. Meanwhile, families in South Cobb, in your schools, where actual gun violence has occurred, have asked for the same protection and been routinely ignored.”

(At a Thursday work session, district officials unveiled the addition of new canine teams trained to detect weapons in school buildings.)

Susko added that when Ragsdale’s contract “is rubber-stamped, by the good old boys, and he smirks and uses his favorite defense mechanism, ‘thanks for the vote of confidence,’ we’ll all know that that the truth—’no confidence in Ragsdale’—echoes in his head, no matter how much he tries to drown out the people of Cobb County.”

School board members also voted Thursday to opt out of HB 581, a law passed by the Georgia General Assembly, designed to cap property tax rates.

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

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

On the board’s consent agenda included a vote to set maximum price of $9.8 million for major renovations at Bells Ferry Elementary School.

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Cobb schools to add canine detection teams as safety measure

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Cobb schools to add canine detection teams as safety measure
“Aubie,” a black Labrador retriever in training with the Cobb County School District and provided by Global K9, a security solutions provider.

The Cobb County School District will be adding two canine detection teams as part of its efforts to bolster safety in schools.

At a Cobb Board of Education work session Thursday, officials introduced the “Vapor Wake” system, in which officer-led teams with specially trained dogs identify “person-worn or concealed-carried explosives and firearms,” according to the district.

The program includes a partnership with Global K9 Protection Group, a private company based in Opelika, Ala., that provides canine-focused security solutions.

The dogs are trained to “continuously sample the air for concealed firearms and explosives, tracking potential threats even while in motion. This cutting-edge detection capability provides real-time security monitoring, allowing for a swift response to potential threats.”

Major universities, sports arenas, theaters and other entities use Vapor Wake.

“We want our families to see for themselves that our schools are the safest in our community,” Cobb school board chairman David Chastain said in a district statement. “These canine teams are another example of us identifying and addressing threats before they happen.”

The Cobb school district has canine teams that aren’t specifically trained in Vapor Wake.

At the work session, Global K9 personnel presented “Dakota” and “Aubie,”  two Labrador retrievers will be working in Cobb schools, and who are undergoing training.

Much of what Cobb schools is doing regarding safety has been done in confidence. When the district announced in October a partnership with a private national intelligence firm, it didn’t initially identify that company.

News reports revealed that it’s Servius Group, which includes former federal military and intelligence staffers who will be using counterintelligence techniques, data science and machine-learning components to conduct risk assessments at other schools and other measures that haven’t been clearly spelled out.

“This is a different situation in that we want to scream from the mountaintops that we have these canines, officers in use and they are able to detect weapons with 100 percent efficiency,” Cobb superintendent Chris Ragsdale said.

“We want everybody to know that. We want the world to know that where we have these canines there are going to present and be able to prevent weapons from entering the school.”

Keith Turner of Global K9 said the company was formed in 2018 with 20 employees, and currently has nearly 600 personnel, employing canine teams in more than 160 cities and localities.

The Vapor Wake contract, which will cost the Cobb school district $80,000, includes continuing training and recertification.

He said the company can sell dogs, “but what I want to sell is the idea of family.”

The company’s client base includes the Atlanta Braves, Six Flags theme parks, various stadiums and performing arts venues in California and elsewhere, and the Chicago and New York City police departments.

He said the Vapor Wake technology “is proven,” with the dogs trained to source particles in the air.

He said the technology is unobtrusive and won’t “hit on a cell phone, on a laptop,” unlike some metal-detecting devices.

“This is a dangerous odor,” Turner said. “It could be a smokeless powder, it could be potassium nitrate, anything with residue.”

Ragsdale said “it’s hard not to be excited” about something “that’s 100 percent effective.

“If we’re going to say student and staff safety is our top priority, then we need to do everything we can to ensure that that top priority remains attainable.”

But school board members did have some questions about Vapor Wake and the program.

Nichelle Davis asked about students and staff who didn’t like dogs or who were allergic to them.

Turner said he wasn’t aware of any such cases with his company’s trained animals, and wanted the program to engender a feeling of friendliness and safety with the dogs.

Randy Scamihorn wanted to see something of a demonstration at the open work session, but was told that would be provided in executive session for security reasons.

He also wanted to know if the handlers would be uniformed, and Ragsdale said “we’re getting down into the weeds that we’re not going to talk about now.”

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Bells Ferry ES reconstruction project to cost $9.8 million

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Bells Ferry ES 2nd and 3rd graders to relocate to Chalker ES
An aerial architectural rendering of the Bells Ferry ES reconstruction project.

UPDATED:

The Cobb school board Thursday approved the construction price maximum by consent.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Cobb County School District has recommended a maximum price for the cost of major renovations and additions at Bells Ferry Elementary School in Northeast Cobb.

According to an agenda item, the Cobb Board of Education will be asked Thursday to set that price at $9.8 million and to approve Winter Construction of Atlanta as the contractor.

The funding will come from the current SPLOST VI sales tax for Cobb schools.

Setting a maximum price enables the contractor “to move forward to begin procuring long lead time equipment, sitework, utility relocation, and other enabling work in accordance with the planned schedule,” according to the agenda item.

Completion is estimated for July 2027.

The project will be discussed at a board work session starting at 2 p.m. Thursday, and is listed as an action item 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.

The current Bells Ferry facility at Bells Ferry Road and Piedmont Road was built in 1973, and currently enrolls 750 students.

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

The project will also prompt portable classrooms on the campus, and second- and third-grade classes will be relocated to nearby Chalker Elementary School starting in August.

At the evening meeting, the Cobb school board will be holding the last of three required public hearings on the district’s intent to opt out of a new state homestead exemption law. A vote on the measure also is scheduled.

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

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

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

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

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

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Cobb elementary students recognized in waterSmart Contest

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Cobb elementary students recognized in waterSmart Contest
Powers Ferry ES student Fernanda S. was named the cover art winner.

Submitted information and photos:

Cobb County Water System (CCWS) and Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority (CCMWA) congratulate the fifteen winning students of the 20th annual Tappy Turtle Coloring Book Contest.

This year’s winners are: Jocelyn S. and Lydia L. from Blackwell Elementary School; Raquel L. from Pitner Elementary School; Minha K. from Kincaid Elementary School; Lena C. from Sanders Elementary School; Alicia A. from Green Acres Elementary School; Charlotte R. and Dhatri S. from King Springs Elementary School; Fernanda S. from Powers Ferry Elementary School; Aadvik S. and Alycia A. from Bells Ferry Elementary School; Sarah W. and Madison B. from Mountain View Elementary School; Grace D. from Hendricks Elementary School; and Annabella Q. from Bullard Elementary School.

Fernanda S. from Powers Ferry Elementary School is the cover art winner. Her drawing showed the importance of turning off the water while brushing your teeth to conserve water.
For the past 20 years, fourth and fifth grade students submit their hand-drawn artwork featuring CCWS’ water conservation mascot, Tappy Turtle, demonstrating water conservation tips. This year, the contest received more than 350 entries from eleven Cobb County and City of Marietta elementary schools.

The Adventures of Tappy Turtle 2025 Coloring Book presents water conservation tips in English and Spanish. It will be distributed throughout the community and is available for free download at www.cobbcounty.org/watersmart.

This contest is a collaborative program of CCWS and CCMWA. The waterSmart™ program was created in 2000 by CCMWA to educate their service area residents of all ages about the importance of indoor and outdoor water conservation.

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Delta Community college scholarship applications accepted

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Delta Community college scholarship applications accepted
2024 Delta Community College Scholarship award recipient Gargi Telang (middle) with Jai Rogers-Thomas, Delta Community’s vice president of Business and Community Development (left) and Matthew Shepherd, Delta Community’s chief operating officer (right).

Submitted information and photo:

Delta Community Credit Union, Georgia’s largest credit union, began accepting entries for its 20th Annual College Scholarship Program on Feb. 1. The credit union will select five deserving students, who will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to assist with college-related expenses.

Scholarship recipients will be chosen based on their academic achievement, community involvement and a personal essay. This year’s essay submission will require applicants to complete two Delta Community Financial Education Center BalanceTrack modules, Money Management and Credit Matters, before writing a response to the following question:

After completing Delta Community’s Financial Education Center BalanceTrack modules, you’ve gained valuable insights into money management and responsible credit use. How will you apply this knowledge to shape your financial future in a positive and practical way?

“For two decades, our College Scholarship Program has enabled us to invest in dedicated, civic-minded students, so they can pursue worthwhile careers and further position themselves as a positive force in their local communities,” said Hank Halter, Delta Community’s CEO. “This year’s essay question encourages our applicants to think about responsible spending and borrowing, which will play an important role in helping them reach their academic and professional goals.”

Applicants must be Delta Community members seeking a first-time undergraduate degree and enrolled full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university during the 2025-2026 fall semester. Students must complete the Delta Community 2025 scholarship application online by 5 p.m. ET on March 1, 2025, in order to qualify. The award recipients will be announced in early April.

In addition to its annual Scholarship Program, Delta Community offers scholarships for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities and provides hundreds of free classes in metro Atlanta through its Financial Education Center.

 

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Cobb school district 2025-26 transfer window opens

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Submitted information:Campbell High School lockdown

Parents/guardians of a student zoned to attend a District school may apply for an HB 251 School Choice transfer in accordance with state law and District rule in order to pursue a transfer to a school other than the locally zoned school. 

Available space at a school is based on permanent classroom space. In the event that the number of transfer requests exceeds the available capacity of a school, the District will conduct a random lottery. 

The application window for the 2025-2026 school year is open from January 21, 2025 through February 14, 2025. No late applications will be accepted.

For more information about this program, including instructions on how to apply, please visit our School Choice Transfer page. 

Here’s the following availability at schools in East Cobb:

Elementary Schools

  • Blackwell 160
  • Brumby 88
  • Davis 95
  • Eastvalley 20
  • Keheley 158
  • Kincaid 91
  • Mt. Bethel 5
  • Mountain View 47
  • Murdock 63
  • Nicholson 126
  • Sedalia Park 183
  • Shallowford Falls 273
  • Timber Ridge 41
  • Tritt 66

Middle Schools

  • Daniell 208
  • Hightower Trail 32
  • Mabry 183
  • McCleskeu 344
  • Simpson 17

High Schools

  • Kell 389
  • Lassiter 5
  • Pope 5
  • Sprayberry 178

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Cobb school board to hold hearings on homestead exemption

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Pope, Sprayberry, Murdock ES construction projects approved

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Pope High School, Cobb SAT scores

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Lindley MS student ‘critical’ after self-inflicted shooting

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UPDATED THURSDAY, 8:15 P.M.

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

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

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

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

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

ORIGINAL REPORT:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Cobb schools announce 2025 commencement schedule

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Lassiter graduation, Cobb schools 2020 graduation schedule

Submitted information:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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East Cobb Weather Update: Cobb schools resume on Monday

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Cobb school district closed Friday; Ga. emergency declared

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Cobb schools, county preparing for winter weather forecast

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Cobb schools, county preparing for winter weather forecast

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

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

ORIGINAL REPORT:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thus far, there are no closures reported.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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Chastain, Cristadoro chosen for Cobb school board leadership

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Davis did not seek a second term in 2022.

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Cobb school board to hold 2025 organizational meeting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

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Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

Submitted information and photos:

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

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

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

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

Attendees/Speakers included:

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

Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

Sawyer Road ES media center, library get Peach Bowl makeover

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Brumby, Nicholson, Wheeler teachers named Cobb Tank winners

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Brumby, Nicholson, Wheeler students named Cobb Tank winners

Submitted information and photo:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cobb Tank 2024 Winning Proposals:

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

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No injuries reported in East Cobb school bus crash

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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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