East Cobb Schools

Ga. bill would mandate airing school board public comments

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Editor's Note: Whither public comments in an age of rage?
Critics of the Cobb school district, including former school counselor Jennifer Susko, lashed out last summer when their public comments were no longer aired.

Several Cobb County lawmakers have introduced a bill in the Georgia General Assembly that would require public school districts to air or record public comments at school board meetings that are broadcast to their communities.

Six legislators, including Democratic State Rep. Solomon Adesanya of East Cobb, introduced the bill on Friday. HB 989 (you can read it here) would add to an existing state law that requires school boards to provide public comment periods.

Last July the Cobb Board of Education voted on a 4-3 partisan basis to bar the airing of public comments, with the Republican majority and Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale saying it was for legal reasons and to ensure more people get to comment.

Critics said it’s the latest attempt by the Cobb school district and the GOP members to silence their dissenting voices during public comment periods, and follows several years of highly charged partisan rhetoric over a number of controversial issues and events in the district.

Since then, the district no longer shows or records what citizens say before the board and superintendent at public meetings. Viewers see a black screen saying the board is hearing public comment, but there is no audio or video.

The Cobb County Courier local news site has been streaming the public comments on-site, but must do so from a seat in the audience.

State law requires school boards to set aside time for public comment but they’re not required to air their meetings.

The proposed bill includes language that states that “any public comment period provided for in this subsection shall be recorded or broadcast by the local board of education in the same manner and to the same extent as the remainder of the public portions of the meeting are recorded or broadcast.”

East Cobb News has left a message with Randy Scamihorn, the Republican Cobb school board chairman, seeking comment.

The other co-sponsors of HB 989 include Democrats David Wilkerson, the Cobb legislative delegation chairman, Mekyah McQueen, Mary Frances Williams and Lisa Campbell.

The lone Republican co-sponsor is Rep. Jordan Ridley of Woodstock, whose district includes the Bells Ferry Elementary School area in Northeast Cobb.

The bill has had a first reading and has been assigned to the Georgia House Education Committee, but a hearing has not been scheduled.

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New East Side ES playground on Cobb school board agenda

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East Side ES playground

The Cobb Board of Education will be asked Thursday to spend $218,892 to build a new playground at East Side Elementary School.

That’s one of the action items on the board’s agenda that will be discussed at an afternoon work session and considered during an evening business meeting.

The board will hold a work session Thursday at 3 p.m., followed by a voting session Thursday at 7 p.m.

All meetings take place in the board room of the Cobb County School District Central Office, at 514 Glover St. in Marietta. An executive session will follow the work session.

The public meetings will be streamed live and you can watch on Comcast Cable or on a livestream on the district’s Boxcast Channel.

You can find agendas for both public meetings by clicking here.

The East Side playground has been in use since the replacement school opened on Roswell Road at Indian Hills Parkway in 2011.

According to the East Side agenda item, most of the funding for the new playground—$215,000—has been raised privately by the school’s foundation. The remaining $3,892 would come from East Side’s district-budgeted after-school program account.

The recommended vendor is Playworld Preferred Systems, which the Cobb County School District said in the agenda item is “the designated standard for the District’s playscapes.”

At the work session Thursday, the board will hear an independent audit of district finances and will be presented with a request to accept bids for an issuer of $100 million in short-term construction notes.

The board in recent years has annually borrowed Cobb Education Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax VI (SPLOST) funds in advance to begin construction and maintenance projects at the beginning of the calendar year, then repaying them by the the end of the year.

This is done, according to an agenda item, due to rising construction cost and that bidding on projects earlier enables the district to projects to be bid earlier and “[capture] savings in the current construction market.”

A recommended bidder will be brought back to the board in a separate vote.

At the Thursday evening meeting, two Pope High School girls sports state championship teams will be recognized—cross country and flag football—along with Pope’Aislynn Dunn, the Georgia High School Association Class 5A girls individual cross country champion.

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Mt. Bethel Christian Academy STAR student and teacher named

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Mt. Bethel Christian Academy STAR student and teacher named

Submitted information and photos:

Jackson Sparrow of Mt. Bethel Christian Academy Upper School has been named the school’s 2026 PAGE STAR Student. Dr. Eric Pratt, MBCA Upper School Head announced the honor on January 20, 2026. Jackson selected John Whitehurst, English teacher at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy, as his STAR Teacher.

Jackson Sparrow, the son of Chuck and Missy Sparrow of Marietta, earned the recognition for academic achievement and performance on the SAT.

The PAGE Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program is sponsored, administered, and promoted by the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) and the PAGE Foundation. Since its inception in 1958 the STAR program has honored nearly 30,000 students and the teachers selected as the most influential to their academic achievement. High school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT and be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students of their class based on grade point average to qualify for STAR nomination.Mt. Bethel Christian Academy STAR student and teacher named

STAR begins each year in participating Georgia high schools when the STAR Student is named and chooses a STAR Teacher to share in this recognition. The students and their teachers are honored by their schools and receive special recognition in their communities from one of the more than 170 statewide civic organizations and businesses that serve as local sponsors of the STAR program. Students then compete for school system recognition as the top STAR Student, and those winners compete for region honors. Region winners contend for the honor of being named State PAGE STAR Student. STAR Teachers continue on with their STAR Students at every level of the program.

“We are very proud of Jackson and Mr. Whitehurst and the academic excellence they exemplify at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy,” said Dr. Pratt.

PAGE and the PAGE Foundation honor outstanding students and educators and encourage academic excellence through competitive academic programs such as PAGE STAR, the PAGE Academic Bowl for Middle Grades and the PAGE Georgia Academic Decathlon.

The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) is a statewide professional association of more than 93,000 educators, administrators, and support personnel. PAGE provides professional learning to enhance competence and confidence, build leadership and increase student achievement while providing the best in membership, legal services, and legislative support.

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Cobb schools financial watchdog group launches website

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Cobb schools financial watchdog group launches website

A watchdog group that began scrutinizing Cobb County School District finances five years ago on Facebook has launched a website.

Watching the Funds—Cobb announced Friday that its new website is designed to make it easier for citizens to track district budgeting and spending, retrieve agendas and reports, watch meetings, file open records requests and provide tips.

“For five years, we’ve tracked your tax dollars and supported our schools. Now we’ve built a one-stop resource hub for YOU by putting everything you need to hold the school board accountable in one place,” the group stated on its Facebook page, which has more than 3,000 followers.

The group also has posted a link to signup for its newsletter, and has linked to official district and other related financial pages.

Watching the Funds-Cobb began in 2021 over spending issues related to the district’s efforts to mitigate against COVID-19 (our initial post on the group is here).

Since then, group members have been active in speaking out during public comment at Cobb Board of Education meetings, and have been critical of other district spending initiatives.

Heather Tolley-Bauer of Watching the Funds-Cobb

In 2024, the Cobb school cancelled a previously approved $50 million special events center after Watching the Funds-Cobb revealed blueprints and other details the Cobb school district had not disclosed.

A new feature on the Watching the Funds-Cobb website is an anonymous tip and story function.

“A citizen tip helped us kill the $50 million event center,” Watching the Funds-Cobb said in announcing the website. “We’ve NEVER identified a source. Ever. The form asks for your name for follow-up questions, but you can type ‘anonymous.’ We never share sources or identifying details. We protect you because your story matters.”

Late last year, the group also revealed that school board member John Cristadoro of East Cobb was being sued in a business matter in Fulton State Court that he and his client wanted sealed from the public.

Then-board chairman David Chastain said the board had no authority to look into the matter, in which Cristadoro was accused of misusing $250,000 of client money.

Cristadoro, who settled the suit, accused his critics of “trying to tear down Cobb schools.”

Watching the Funds-Cobb leader Heather Tolley-Bauer of East Cobb said the group is a “a grassroots organization and is not formally organized.”

It’s officially non-partisan, although two former leaders have delved into politics: East Cobb residents Laura Judge, who ran against Cristadoro in 2024, and Stacy Efrat, an appointed member of the Cobb Board of Elections. Both are Democrats.

Tolley-Bauer said Watching the Funds-Cobb includes “three core leaders,” herself, Jamie Mohr and Jessica Killcreas, as well a few dozen go‑to volunteers and stakeholders we can tap for projects.”

They’re asking for non-tax-deductible donations for their work, which includes building a searchable archive as well as continuing to obtain information about school district finances through open records requests in particular.

“Donations will be used in a variety of ways, but open records requests have been our single biggest expense,” she said.

“Since the district often makes basic information hard to get, we end up filing Open Records Act requests that are delayed and come with price tags that are designed to make people give up.”

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Wheeler Theatre to present ‘SpongeBob’ musical youth edition

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Submitted information:Wheeler Theatre to present 'SpongeBob' musical youth edition

Wheeler High School Theatre Department presents “The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition” January 30 – February 1, 2026. 

This hour-long musical is a high energy stage adaptation of the animated TV series, set in the underwater town of Bikini Bottom. When scientists discover that a massive volcano is about to erupt and destroy the city, panic spreads among the residents. As chaos grows, SpongeBob teams up with his best friend Patrick and the practical Sandy Cheeks to find a way to stop the eruption. Along the way, the story explores how fear can divide people. Through a series of adventures, setbacks, and songs, SpongeBob proves that courage, teamwork, and belief in one another can make a difference.

The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition runs January 30 – February 1, 2026. Friday at 7:00 pm, Saturday at 5:00 pm, and Sunday at 2:00. 

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL: YOUTH EDITION is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

NICKELODEON, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, AND ALL RELATED TITLES, LOGOS AND CHARACTERS ARE TRADEMARKS OF VIACOM INTERNATIONAL INC.

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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Cobb school district 2026-27 transfer window to open

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Submitted information:Campbell High School lockdown

Parents/guardians of a student zoned to attend a District school may apply for a School Choice transfer under Georgia law (HB 251) and the District Administrative Rule JBCD-R to request placement at a school other than the one to which the student is zoned. Available space at a school is based on permanent classroom space. If the number of transfer requests exceeds available capacity, the District will conduct a random lottery.

Important 2026–2027 Application Windows

HB 251 School Choice Transfer Applications 

Application Window: January 22 – February 13, 2026

The application window for HB 251 School Choice Transfers for the 2026–2027 school year is scheduled from January 22 to February 13, 2026. No late applications will be accepted after these established dates. 

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

Sibling Transfer Applications

Application Window: January 5 – January 16, 2026

Parents/guardians of a student who has a sibling already enrolled in a District school through an approved transfer may apply for the younger sibling to attend the same school in accordance with District Administrative Rule JBCD-R. This provision attempts to address siblings enrolled in different schools at the same time due to an approved transfer. The application window for siblings of currently enrolled transfer students for the 2026–2027 school year is scheduled from January 5 to January 16, 2026. 

Children of Employees Transfer

Application Window: December 1, 2025 – January 16, 2026

Cobb County School District employees may apply for a Children of Employees Transfer for the 2026–2027 school year in accordance with District Administrative Rule JBCD-R. The application window is scheduled from December 1, 2025, to January 16, 2026. Students currently attending their school of choice through this option are not required to reapply unless they are changing school levels (elementary to middle or middle to high). Applications submitted after January 16, 2026, will only be accepted for qualifying events, such as new employment or a job location change, and available school options may be limited based on space.

Learn More: Understanding School Choice

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Addison ES principal charged with DUI, traffic violations

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Addison ES principal charged with DUI

The principal of Addison Elementary School in East Cobb has been charged with driving under the influence and other traffic violations.

According to Cobb Sheriff’s Office records, Jill Spiva was charged with one misdemeanor count of DUI and separate counts of an open container violation and failure to maintain a lane, also misdemeanors.

The arrest took place on Thursday afternoon at Ebenezer Road and Sandy Plains Road, close to the school, according to the booking report.

She was booked into the Cobb Adult Detention Center around 5 p.m. Thursday, and was released the following day after posting a $1,980 bond, the booking report states.

A report from WSB-TV states that Spiva caused a crash near the school, and that officers discovered a plastic bag with vodka near a console when they approached her vehicle. When she refused a blood test, according to the report, a judge signed a search warrant ordering her to give blood.

Her status as principal is unclear; a Cobb County School District spokesperson told East Cobb News the following:

“The district recently became aware of an incident which we have verified happened off-campus and after school hours. Because the investigation is ongoing, we cannot comment further. We are happy to hear everyone involved is safe.”

Spiva, who lives in Milton, has been with the district for more than 20 years, and is in her fourth year at Addison. She is a Lassiter High School graduate and has been an assistant principal at Shallowford Falls Elementary School and Davis Elementary School.

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East Side ES students take part in Cobb court mock trial

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East Side ES students take part in Cobb court mock trial series

Submitted information and photos:

The Cobb Judicial Circuit continued its commitment to community outreach this Friday, turning the courthouse into a classroom for 230 fifth-grade students from East Side Elementary School. As part of the ongoing “Courtroom to Classroom” initiative, students traded their textbooks for a real-life legal experience.

Friday’s session was a collaborative effort from the bench, featuring Superior Court Judges Jason D. Marbutt and Sonja N. Brown and Probate Court Chief Judge Kelli L. Wolk and Judge Tara C. Riddle. The program bridges the gap between the community and the judiciary by allowing students to participate directly in the legal process. Guided by court staff and local attorneys, the East Side students took on the responsibilities of the justice system — serving as prosecutors, defense counsel, witnesses, and jurors — during a mock trial centered on a bicycle theft case.

Judge Marbutt, a former educator, emphasized the impact of seeing the justice system up close. “As a former teacher, I enjoy the opportunity to educate students about the courts,” Judge Marbutt said. “The Courtroom to Classroom program is a great and fun way to get kids experience with the justice system.”

Judge Sonja Brown noted how the experience transforms abstract lessons into reality. “It is wonderful to see the law come to life for these students,” Judge Sonja Brown said. “They aren’t just reading about a trial; they are living it, and that experience fosters a deeper understanding of fairness that textbooks alone cannot provide.”

Beyond the verdict, the field trip offered students a comprehensive look at courthouse operations. The group explored the infrastructure of the judicial complex, including a visit to the secure holding areas, providing a stark and memorable reality of the justice system.

Judge Wolk highlighted the importance of transparency and judicial interaction with the community. “Hosting East Side Elementary was a reminder of why we serve,” Judge Wolk added. “By inviting the community in, especially our students, we build trust in our institutions and show them that the courtroom is a place for justice.”

For Judge Riddle, the event was an opportunity to foster early respect for civic duty. “These fifth graders asked insightful questions and took their roles seriously,” said Judge Riddle. “Programs like this are essential because they plant the seeds of good citizenship and show our youth that the justice system is accessible to them.”

The “Courtroom to Classroom” mock trial program is available for fourth- and fifth-grade classes, subject to docket availability. Schools and educators interested in participating in future sessions during the 2025-2026 school year should contact Erin Mendez at [email protected].

East Side ES students take part in Cobb court mock trial series

 

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Mt. Bethel ES teacher recognized for mathematics excellence

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Mt. Bethel ES teacher recognized for mathematics excellence

Submitted information and photo:

As teachers in Cobb Schools continue to go above and beyond to provide students the best learning environment possible, one educator in particular stands out. 

Heather Mullins of Mount Bethel Elementary recently earned the Excellence in Teaching Mathematics award from the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Every year, one teacher from the elementary, middle, and high school levels is selected, and this year, Cobb Schools was proudly represented thanks to Mullins’s hard work. 

“One of Heather’s strengths is her ability to create a safe classroom environment where all students feel important and loved. She encourages active participation, critical thinking, and collaboration. Her passion for mathematics is infectious and has led other teachers across the county to have a joy for math when they visit her classroom, said the Georgia Council of Teachers in Mathematics.

To be eligible for this award, educators must have taught math for at least three years in Georgia, show evidence of growth in the teaching of mathematics, have a strong content foundation in mathematics appropriate for the teaching level, and be a member of the GCTM.

Due to her state achievement, Mullins was recognized by Cobb’s Board of Education during the December meeting.

With 13 awardees, Cobb Schools has the most recipients in the history of this award across elementary, middle, and high school, dating back to 2006 when the award first began. 

To learn more about the award and how to nominate a teacher for next year, click HERE for more information. 

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Republicans to continue leadership of Cobb school board

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Cobb school board chairman Randy Scamihorn
Randy Scamihorn

In predictable 4-3 partisan votes Tuesday, the Cobb Board of Education will once again have two Republican members in leadership roles in 2026.

During an organizational meeting that took less than 10 minues, the four GOP members voted for Randy Scamihorn to serve as chair and outgoing chair David Chastain to serve as vice chair.

The elections are required at the start of every calendar year and any board member can be nominated for either role. But the chair cannot serve successive terms.

Democratic board member Tre’ Hutchins was nominated for both posts by fellow Democratic member Becky Sayler, but he received only three votes each.

Hutchins nominated Republican Brad Wheeler to serve as chair, but Wheeler declined.

There was no discussion before the votes were cast. The board also approved the 2026 meeting calendar (click here).

Scamihorn, a Republican from Post 1 in Northwest Cobb, is a retired Cobb school teacher and administrator, and will be serving as chairman for the fifth time since he was first elected in 2012.

Republican John Cristadoro of Post 5 in East Cobb, who served as vice chair last year in his first year on the board, nominated Scamihorn to serve as chair but was not nominated for a leadership post.

In October, Cristadoro and his marketing company settled a lawsuit in Fulton County with a former client who alleged he misused $250,000 meant and advertising campaign.

Sayler had asked for a hearing to determine to determine if Cristadoro violated the school board’s code of ethics. But as chairman, Chastain said the board had no authority to take any action.

Scamihorn was last chairman in 2024, and has been a vocal and at times combative supporter of decisions made by the Republican majority and the leadership of Cobb County School District Superintendent Chris Ragsdale.

Two years ago, as he faced re-election, Scamihorn pushed back against critics who claimed the district wasn’t doing enough to tighten security in wake of the deadly shootings at Apalachee High School in Winder.

The chair controls the meetings and has the power, along with the superintendent, to unilaterally place items on the meeting agendas. Other board members must get a majority of their colleagues to approve agenda items.

That’s been a flashpoint of partisan contention on the school board in recent years. Republicans held a 6-1 majority until 2018, when their margins were reduced to 4-3.

Since then, the GOP members have voted to change board policies to prohibit board members from offering comment at meetings. Board members also have squabbled over school board redistricting and accreditation along the same partisan lines.

Last July, the board voted to discontinue airing public comment from citizens in a measure proposed by Ragsdale, who did not consult board members beforehand, and that prompted critics to complain was an attempt to quash dissenting views.

Chastain, from Post 4 in Northeast Cobb, is one of three board members—and the only Republican—whose terms expire at the end of this year.

He has indicated he will be seeking a fourth term. Michael Garza, a frequent critic of the board’s leadership, is the only Democrat thus far who has announced he will be running for that seat.

The school board will hold its first regular meetings of 2026 on Jan. 22.

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Cobb school board to elect 2026 officers at Tuesday meeting

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Cobb school board won't probe Cristadoro's court settlement

The Cobb Board of Education has announced a special-called meeting for Tuesday to elect officers and set its meeting schedule for 2026.

The meeting takes place Tuesday at 1 p.m. in the board room of the Cobb County School District central office 514 Glover St., Marietta.

The meeting is open to the public but there is not a public comment session.

The board is required to vote on a chairman and vice chairman at the start of every calendar year; the chairman cannot serve in successive terms.

Board members nominate candidates to become officers; they must receive at least four votes.

In 2025 the chairman was David Chastain of Post 4 in Northeast Cobb and the vice chairman was John Cristadoro of Post 5 in East Cobb.

Both are Republicans, and as the party has held a 4-3 majority in recent years, the officers have been from the GOP

Democratic candidates have not been able to get any Republican member to cross parties to vote for officers in that period.

The 2026 elections include three board seats: Post 4, where Chastain is entering the last year of his third term; Post 2 in South Cobb, held by first-term Democrat Becky Sayler; and Post 6, in Smyrna-Vinings-Cumberland, held by first-term Democrat Nichelle Davis.

The first regularly scheduled Cobb school board meeting is Jan. 22.

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Cobb students hold ‘Shop With’ events for holiday gifts

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Cobb students hold 'Shop With' events for holiday gifts

Submitted information and photos:

Across Cobb Schools, high school students have partnered with feeder middle and elementary school students to help spread Christmas cheer.

With the help of school counselors and social workers, students were selected to receive gifts based on need. 

Pope’s 18th annual Shop with a Greyhound took center stage at Target, where an eager group of students rushed down the aisles searching for their favorite toys and essential items, such as clothes for the colder months.

More than 200 students from Brumby Elementary School were paired with a Pope student, allowing them to spend $115 on an early Christmas gift.

Over at Kell’s Shop with a Longhorn, students returned from a morning of shopping to help younger students wrap their gifts. 

The school also had stations set up for face painting, ornament decorating, and photos with Santa.

With support from school counselors and social workers, students were selected to participate based on need. High school volunteers helped younger students shop for toys and essential items, including winter clothing, providing meaningful support to families during the holidays., 

Kell High School’s Shop with a Longhorn featured a full day of holiday activities. After returning from a morning of shopping, Kell students helped younger participants wrap their gifts and enjoy festive stations such as face painting, ornament decorating, and photos with Santa.

“The coolest part is that some of our high schoolers were once littles, and now they’re the ones helping — it’s come full circle,” said Ryan Hill, Shop with a Longhorn coordinator.

Additional events included Walton’s Shop with a Raider, Lassiter’s Shop with a Trojan, and Allatoona’s Shop with a Buc, among others held in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

These student-led initiatives often raise thousands of dollars to support fellow Cobb students in need. Beyond the gifts, the events create lasting connections, offering younger students positive role models while giving high schoolers the opportunity to give back and lead by example.

Cobb students hold 'Shop With' events for holiday gifts

Cobb students hold 'Shop With' events for holiday gifts

Cobb students hold 'Shop With' events for holiday gifts

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Wheeler HS graduate evacuates after deadly Brown U shooting

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Wheeler HS graduate safely flees deadly Brown U shooting

A Wheeler High School graduate safely evacuated the Brown University campus last weekend during a mass shooting that killed two people, both of whom he knew.

Edward Kim, a freshman engineering major at Brown, said in a cable television interview that he got a message from his mother on Saturday afternoon after the shooting on the Ivy League campus in Providence, R.I.

“We felt that the right decision was to leave immediately,” Kim said in an interview with Katy Tur on MS NOW (formerly MSNBC; you can watch the full interview here.)

He was speaking from his home in Marietta, after Brown officials cancelled the rest of the semester and final exams.

Five days later, law enforcement across New England continues searching for the suspect, who is wanted for shooting to death Ella Cook, 19, of Mountain Brook, Ala., and Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an Uzbeki national who attended high school in Midlothian, Va.

Nine other people were shot, with one having been released, one in critical condition and seven others in stable condition.

One of the victims is another Georgia student, Jacob Spears, 18, from Columbia County, who is recoverimg in a hospital.

Authorities in Providence have released footage of the man they say is the suspect, but he has not been identified, and they’re asking for the public’s help in locating him.

Kim attended the Wheeler STEM Magnet school and graduated in May. As a junior, he took part in a student walkout at Wheeler following a deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder.

At Brown, he was friends with Umurzokov, who was aspiring to be a brain surgeon.

Tur asked Kim if he would be reluctant to return to campus if the shooter was still at-large after the holidays: “Absolutely.”

He said a few days before the shooting there was a false alarm that he said students took seriously.

“The fact that we don’t have anybody in custody has brought a lot of fear into Brown students,” Kim said.

Kim said that he thought Umurzokov was from the Atlanta area because he mentioned to him specific MARTA stations, and that he helped him deal with some homesickness by talking about the Georgia Bulldogs.

“I still can’t believe he’s not going to be with us in January when we come back,” Kim said of Umurzokov.

Kim said in the MS NOW interview that he also had an interaction with Cook in August regarding joining a political e-mail list (she was involved with the Brown College Republican group), although he didn’t know her name at the time.

Kim, who supported Democrat Laura Judge in a Cobb Board of Education election in 2024 in Post 5 in East Cobb, also was a youth advisor for U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick, a Georgia Republican, in 2023.

During the Wheeler walkout in September 2024, Kim spoke to the assembled students, saying that “in major moments of national social change, students coming together and speaking about their challenges pushed the needle. Could you imagine how behind Civil Rights would be without the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee or the Southern Christian Leadership Conference? What about the Vietnam War? The movements were fought on college campuses, not the halls of Congress, not the Oval Office.”

On a social media posting, Judge—who’s involved with the gun-control group Moms Demand Action—said Wednesday morning that she had kept in touch with Kim as he started college, and that the tragedy at Brown “just galvanizes me to continue to enact change.

“It feels weird to say that I’m proud of the interview Edward gave, but I also know these stories must be told, so that the memories of Mukhammad Aziz and Ella live on.

“As always, hug your loved ones and continue to fight on. We do not have to live like this.”

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East Cobb County Council PTA ‘Reflections’ winners announced

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The East Cobb County Council of PTA has announced its school-level winners in the 2025-26 school year
ECCC PTAReflections program.

The program encourages creative responses to a set theme, through the visual arts, literature, music composition, dance choreography, photography and film production.

This year’s theme was “I Belong!” and included 428 entries from  students at 27 schools in East Cobb.

“This is an incredibly powerful, creative, and empathetic generation which brings us great hope for our future. All entries were thoroughly reviewed by professionals who donated their time and the feedback we heard from them was phenomenal!” the ECCC PTA said in a social media posting.

There will be an awards reception for all recipients on Jan. 26, 2026. The following were the winning individuals, as selected by an ECCC panel of judges. The students listed here will advance to the Georgia PTA competition:

  • Davis ES: Anaiah Anderson; Elle Kronberg
  • Dickerson MS: Tuhina Basu; Iyanshi Dasgupta; Laura Diaz Ossa; Zhiyue Huang; Naya Munoz; Saachi Patel; Shreya Upadhayay
  • Dodgen MS: Sesharaman Krishnan; Neha Murall; Ashana Satish; Ariba Shaban; Ishanvi Sharan; Bella Xie
  • East Cobb MS: Rose Nelson
  • East Side ES: Neil Aki; Avi Desai; Naina Enneti; Kinsley Field; Arjun Kamath; Yewon Kang; Zain Khan; Ramachandra Krishnan; Evan Luo; Akshara Satish
  • Garrison Mill ES: Fianna Boxa; Tharrini Kathamath; Harijaa Ravikumar
  • Hightower Trail MS: Hannah Kleeman; Kennedy Martin; Hugo Sheward Cai; Samaira Singh
  • Kell HS: Jasmine Strahorn
  • Kincaid ES: Kinley Adams; Simonas Jakucevicius; Tiffany Lee; Reese Lindsay; Ryleigh Lindsay
  • Lassiter HS: Tia Douglas; Alex Hood; Riley Hood; Anna Hoover; Sangyethia Joseph; Hanae Miyazawa; Peter Seguin; Zoya Syed; Kaimi Trevison; Chris Wiggins
  • Mabry MS: Kriya Krishnan; Mahitha Naranthren; Medha Vallabhaneni
  • Mt. Bethel ES: Isla Khasat; Maxwell Knight; Alexander Sun; Elizabeth Clowe Wright
  • Mountain View ES: Adaella Alben Kezhiyur; Kathryn Cook; Madison Devine; Rian Malde; Emilia Mattox; Adelaide Milton; Abigail Nighman; Ayaan Patel; Wynter Richardson; Roshni Singh
  • Murdock ES: Sam Phillips; Julia Suthar
  • Pope HS: Rachel Pendarvis; Maya Pinto
  • Rocky Mount ES: Addison Aumann; Wyatt Etter; Camryn Girard; Tyson Karamitas; Taft Knudsen; Maggie McMurtagh; Ryla Robbins; Adrika Sarkar; Sutton Seguin
  • Shallowford Falls ES: Celeste Hudek; Aadya Khare; Rose Thomas
  • Simpson MS: Lydia Beamer; Arinjoy Sarkar; Noah Xavier Schaefer-Rodriguez
  • Sope Creek ES: Winnie Adams; Meenatchi Baskar; Swara Dongre; Amulya Ganta; Ayana Mittal; Graydon Moberg; Aayansh Palui; Myra Sural; Rachael Thakare; Akshita Vadodkar; Norah Weatherby; Ayaan Yetta
  • Tritt ES: Sean Berg; Hudsen Cannatella; Matthew Martinez; Piper McClanahan; Tyler Metry; Mara Tomiko
  • Walton HS: Alexis Ahn; Ruby Campbell; Ellery Grant; Talia Munoz; Claudia Rohan; Eric Xu
  • Wheeler HS: Elvira Anggraeni; Tanushri Iyyadurai; Riya Kumar; Charlie Sayler; Alan Sun

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Daniell MS and Tritt ES projects on Cobb school board agenda

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Daniell MS and Tritt ES projects on Cobb school board agenda

The Cobb Board of Education will be asked to approve contracts on Thursday for renovation projects at two schools in East Cobb.

According to agenda items, the projects include replacing the annex at Tritt Elementary School at a cost of $7.9 million and making renovations at Daniell Middle School for $1.64 million

They’re among a number of construction projects on Thursday’s meeting agendas.

The board will hold a work session Thursday at 1 p.m., followed by a voting session Thursday at 7 p.m.

All meetings take place in the board room of the Cobb County School District Central Office, at 514 Glover St. in Marietta. An executive session will follow the work session.

The public meetings will be streamed live and you can watch on Comcast Cable or on a livestream on the district’s Boxcast Channel.

You can find agendas for both public meetings by clicking here.

The Tritt project includes demolishing the current 12-classroom annex building and replacing it with an eight-classroom structure. Other work would include a new secure entrance vestibule, roof replacements, mechanical, electrical and fire protection upgrades, restroom renovations and additional parking and a paved fire lane, according to the agenda item.

The recommended bidder is R.K. Redding Construction, Inc. of Bremen and the estimated completion time is July 2027.

The Daniell project includes restroom renovations, roof replacement (annex building only), select door and door hardware replacement, electrical subpanel upgrade, and carpet replacement.

The recommended bidder is FS360, LLC of Atlanta and the project is expected to be completd in July 2026.

Funding for both projects would come from the Cobb Education VI SPLOST (Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax).

The board also will be asked to approve a measure for the CCSD to take out $100 million in construction notes to begin 2026 projects. It’s a short-term loan that’s paid back at the end of the year.

School district officials also will present to the board a number of proposed changes to administrative rules, including a policy to formalize a ban on K-8 student use of personal devices during school hours.

The policy must be in place by January to comply with a new state law, the Distraction-Free Education Act. This summer the district said it would not be providing secure pouches for students to store their devices during the school day, as is done at Marietta City Schools.

The rule change to be presented to the board Thursday states that:

“Students in grades K-8 are not permitted to access personal electronic devices while on school grounds during school hours, including but not limited to cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, e-readers, headphones, earbuds, and other devices with functionalities, such as wireless communication, internet access, messaging, video recording, gaming, social media access, or data transmission during school hours. Any student found in violation of this policy and/or district rules/procedures during the school day shall be subject to progressive 9 discipline consequences as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.”

The proposal further states that:

“A student whose Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Section 504 Plan, or medical plan explicitly mandates the use of a personal electronic device shall be permitted access to the device as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the respective plan. Parents wishing to reach their child during school hours should contact their child’s school directly.”

Prior to the board’s Thursday night meeting recognitions will include the Walton High School girls volleyball team, which recently won the Georgia High School Association Class 6A state championship.

Heather Mullins, a teacher at Mt. Bethel Elementary School, also will be recognized for earning the 2025-2026 Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Excellence in Teaching Award.

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East Cobb high school athletes sign college scholarships

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East Cobb high school athletes sign college scholarships
Jorden Edmonds (left) and Kaelan Jones starred for Sprayberry as defensive backs, and will be headed to big-time college programs. CCSD photo.

High school athletes from East Cobb and around the country officially made their college choices on Wednesday on what’s known as National Signing Day.

That’s when they officially signed letters-of-intent to receive scholarship aid to the college or university of their choice.

Some athletes will be receiving full-ride scholarships—all expenses paid—and others partial scholarships. That depends on the sport and the number of scholarships available.

In football, most scholarships are full-ride. For two football players at Sprayberry, they will be heading to two of the top college programs in the country.

The Yellow Jackets had another outstanding season finishing 9-2, and reaching the first round of the Georgia High School Association Class 5A playoffs.

Defensive back Jorden Edmonds committed to the University of Alabama, and made it official in a signing ceremony Wednesday at Sprayberry.

Kealan Jones, another Sprayberry defensive back, had committed to the University of Georgia, but at the last minute decided to sign a scholarship offer from Georgia Tech.

“This is a summation of 18 years of really hard work for these young men,” said Dr. Pete Fominaya, Sprayberry’s head football coach, in a release issued by the Cobb County School District.

“Not only do you have to be great on the field, but you have to be great in the classroom and be a great leader to have an opportunity to sign in December. This is a really special group of young men. They’re high-character kids. They do the right thing, and I am proud to have been able to coach them.”

Five other Yellow Jackets signed their letters on Wednesday as well:

  • Lineman Taylen Swinney (Georgia Military College)
  • Defensive end Gabe Clarke (University of West Georgia)
  • Defensive back Noah Voltaire (Austin Peay University),
  • Offensive lineman Cash Barowsky (Berry College)
  • Quarterback Jaden Duckett (The Citadel)

The Kell football team was eliminated in the GHSA Class 5A semifinals on Friday at Creekside of Fairburn, the last Cobb football team standing. But before that on Wednesday, eight Longhorns signed their college letters:

  • Tight end Nathan Agyemang (Georgia Tech)
  • Defensive back Jowell Combay (Tennessee)
  • Linebacker Michael Domanik (Charlotte)
  • Defensive back Tony Forney (Pittsburgh)
  • Quarterback Kaleb Narcisse (East Tennessee State)
  • Linebacker Brayden Rouse (Tennessee)
  • Athlete Bryce Shelton (William & Mary)
  • Defensive back Jalen Williams (Arizona State)

The Cobb school district compiled the following college signees from other high schools:

Pope High School

  • Baseball: Drew Abney (Jacksonville State), Nick Bobrowski (Georgia Southern), Kayden Campbell (Ohio State), Ben Hill (LaGrange)
  • Lacrosse: Ashley Anne Braun (Delaware), Colby Brennan (Mars Hill), Lauren Ebersole (Pittsburgh), Cooper Heintzelman (Lincoln Memorial), Talia Olshansky (St. Bonaventure), Daniel Wahn (New Jersey Institute of Technology)
  • Swimming: Addison Clark (Florida Atlantic)
  • Volleyball: Jahan Lalli (Rhode Island)
  • Fencing: Joshua Riggins (Ohio State)
  • Softball: Emma Santamaria (Georgia State College and University)

Walton High School

  • Football: tight end Jude Cascone (Alabama) and linebacker Noah LaVallee (Florida State)

Wheeler High School

  • Football: Defensive back Brock Adams (Austin Peay), defensive back Landon Harper (Point University)
  • Swimming: Caroline Hughes (North Florida)
  • Softball: Rhea Karmacharya (Augusta)

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Hightower Trail MS celebrates three generations of educators

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Hightower Trail MS celebrates three generations of educators

Submitted by the Cobb County School District:

At Hightower Trail Middle School, one family is finding an extra reason to be thankful this holiday season. 

Three generations of the same family have found common ground through a shared experience— they’ve all taught and worked at Hightower Trail. 

It started with Shari Tarter, a history teacher at Hightower Trail for 12 years until she retired in 2005. Although not currently a staff member, she is still well-known around the school. Her daughter, Amy Pease, is currently the Media Specialist at the school and has served there for more than 25 years. 

The mother-daughter duo of Tarter and Pease worked together for six years. 

Amy’s daughter, Mackenzie Pease, has continued the family tradition this year by starting to teach sixth-grade history at Hightower Trail. It’s the same subject her grandmother taught more than 20 years ago, as she now works alongside her mom every day.

“My mom is my best friend and role model, so it was a no-brainer that I would want to work alongside her. Having her here with me is so special, and it has made this school feel like a home…again,” said Mackenzie Pease. 

“I think I am the most fortunate of the three of us in the fact that I had the opportunity to work with both my mom and my daughter at some point here at the Trail. I was raised by one of my favorite social studies teachers, and I think it is so cool that I raised my other favorite,” said Amy Pease.

As we approach the holidays, many will have the opportunity to take extra time away from work to spend with family. 

For this family, the setting may be different, but they’ll continue to do what they’ve done for more than 25 years—spend time together. 

The sense of community, quality of life, and principles that Cobb Schools stands for have been a big part of why this family has continued to stay loyal to Hightower Trail and Cobb. 

“When we moved to Georgia, we chose Cobb because of the schools. I went back to teaching when our kids were in high school because of the quality of their education. Working alongside them has been such a blessing,” said Tarter.

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Cobb schools celebrate Thanksgiving with special events

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Cobb schools celebrate Thanksgiving with special events
Powers Ferry ES students take part in a Turkey Bingo game to celebrate Thanksgiving. CCSD photo.

Submitted information and photo:

As Cobb Schools headed into Thanksgiving break, schools across the District embraced the holiday with unique celebrations that brought together students, staff, and families.

Dozens of schools, including Pine Mountain Middle, Addison Elementary, and King Springs Elementary, hosted Thanksgiving lunches featuring meals prepared by the Cobb Schools Food and Nutrition Services team. Families filled cafeterias to share special moments together.

“It brings in the community, our hearts are all in the same place, and we’re all thankful,” said Cobb Schools Board Chair David Chastain, who joined families at Addison Elementary.

Other schools celebrated in their own distinctive ways. Powers Ferry and Nickajack Elementary Schools hosted lively Turkey Bingo events, drawing family’s eager for a chance to take home turkeys, pies, gift cards, and more.

At Smitha Middle School, students helped assemble food baskets to ensure families in need had the supplies to prepare a Thanksgiving meal at home this holiday season.

These celebrations serve as reminders of the gratitude felt throughout the district. “When I walk down the halls, I feel empowered every minute I’m there,” said Pine Mountain Principal Dr. David Nelson. “Seeing how excited the kids are about something happening or something they’re learning is truly a blessing.”

As students depart for the break, Cobb Schools leadership expressed appreciation for the educators who make these moments possible. “We have so much to be thankful for at the district level and the board level, but it all boils down to being thankful for our teachers for creating an environment where students can learn, thrive, grow, and succeed,” said Chastain.

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Garrison Mill ES Foundation to take part in Giving Tuesday

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Submitted information:Garrison Mill ES Foundation to take part in Giving Tuesday

This Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, the Garrison Mill Education Foundation (GMEF) calls on parents, neighbors and local businesses to rally behind a bold vision: enriching every student’s experience through STEAM, an integrated way to experience the world through science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

As a parent-led nonprofit, GMEF is dedicated to creating joyful, hands-on STEAM opportunities that spark curiosity and confidence in Greyhound students. From robots in the school lab to new instruments in music class, every donation helps shape youthful imaginations that are more vibrant, inquisitive and future-ready.

“Giving Tuesday is about radical generosity,” said parent Amy Starr, co-president of the Garrison Mill Education Foundation. “At Garrison Mill, that means empowering our kids with the tools, experiences, and mentorship they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. When our kids are exposed to STEAM, you can wonder what new devices will they imagine and build? What new treatments will they create? What virtuoso performances will pour from their soul? What new ideas will they give a delighted world?”

This year’s Giving Tuesday campaign #GiveGMEF aims to raise $5,000 to support items like:

  • Robotics and STEM lab equipment
  • Teacher training and science salary supplements
  • After-school enrichment clubs (Foundation After School Enrichment Time, or FEAST)
  • Signature community events like Publix Math Night and Fine Arts Night
  • Support for the school garden, nature trail and Science Olympiad team
  • Grade-level field trips that connect STEAM learning to the real world
  • Microgrants for art and music programs

Every contribution matters to help GMEF deliver high-impact programs that make STEAM come alive for every learner. Donors are encouraged to check with their employers about “matching gift programs,” which can double or even triple the impact of their generosity.

“We support our kids throughout the year. That’s why we fundraise multiple times, including Giving Tuesday,” said parent Christine Killinger, GMEF’s other co-president. “We can reach maximum impact when more people join the movement, fuel the future and give to GMEF.”

To donate or learn more, visit GMEF’s Giving Tuesday page at GMEFoundation.org.

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Cobb school district announces 2026 commencement schedule

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Cobb schools 2026 commencement schedule

Submitted information:

Graduation honors years of dedication and achievement, celebrating our students’ successes and bright futures ahead. The Cobb County School District is pleased to announce the 2026 commencement schedule so students and their families can celebrate the milestone together.

Commencement ceremonies for Cobb’s Class of 2026 begin Monday, May 18 and continue through the evening of Sunday, May 24.

All district-hosted ceremonies will take place at the KSU Convocation Center.

Pope High School will take the stage for the first commencement ceremony on May 18. The commencement ceremonies will wrap up on May 24 with Walton and Sprayberry High Schools.

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’s the schedule for the six high schools in East Cobb, all at KSU’s Convocation Center:

  • Pope: Monday, May 18, 7 p.m.
  • Wheeler: Tuesday, May 19, 7:30 p.m.
  • Lassiter: Thursday, May 21, 2:30 p.m.
  • Kell: Friday, May 22, 7 p.m.
  • Walton: Sunday, May 24, 3 p.m.
  • Sprayberry: Sunday, May 24, 7:30 p.m.

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