In a partisan vote, the Cobb Board of Education on Thursday approved an extension of Superintendent Chris Ragsdale’s contract another year to February 2025.
Without any discussion, the board’s four Republicans voted in favor of the extension, while the three Democrats voted against.
Ragsdale, whose contract was amended by the GOP majority in November, is receiving a base salary of $350,000 in a current contract that was to run through Feb. 10, 2024.
Any changes in the financial terms or other portions of Ragsdale’s contract were not announced at the Thursday night board business meeting.
The meeting was not available on the district’s live-streaming link or on its Comcast cable channel due to what a district spokeswoman said were technical difficulties.
She said the meeting was being recorded and would be posted on the district’s website. Board member Jaha Howard, who was participating in the meeting remotely, recorded the meeting and streamed it on his Facebook page.
The extension vote took place as the board was acting on items discussed during an executive session on Thursday afternoon.
In making his monthly remarks after the vote, Ragsdale said that “I appreciate the vote of confidence” and “look forward to serving this board and district.”
In recent years the board has typically extended the superintendent’s contract during February, and for the most part it has been uneventful.
But in 2021 the Democratic minority voted against an extension for Ragsdale, who has been superintendent since 2015.
In November, the four Republicans voted for an amended contract that gave him increased flexibility in setting the terms for any eventual departure.
He could leave his position with full pay if a special panel determines he’s been “harassed” or “embarrassed” by school board members and he would receive 90 days advance notice from the board if he is to be terminated without cause.
The contract revisions were also made as the Cobb school district received the report of a special review by its accrediting agency that outlined a plan for improvement focusing largely on fractured board relations and governance issues.
That review was sparked in part by the three board Democrats and members of the public.
Under other financial terms of his existing contract, Ragsdale gets 25 days of paid vacation per year and an automobile allowance of $1,200 a month. The board makes contributions to his retirement, Social Security, Medicare and a tax-sheltered annuity plan, and provides health insurance for him and his family.
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Absolutely incredible! This is the second round of revenge by Ragsdale and his mindless followers for bringing in the accrediting body for a smack down about the way they “do
business.” This is truly highway robbery!! The only reason to pay this guy more money is to go away!!