For the second time in the history of the Cobb County School District, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale proposed, and Board members approved a historic raise for staff members. Thanks to the Board of Education’s approval of the FY2023 Budget, which prioritizes students and staff, ALL non-temporary employees in Cobb Schools will see an 8.5-13.10% raise.  “After another challenging school year, our teachers and staff deserve this historic raise and much more. I am thankful every day that our team members are so dedicated to our students, schools, and community. They are what makes Cobb the best place to teach, lead, and learn,” said Cobb Schools Board Chair David Chastain.

The historic raise is the highest in metro Atlanta and follows the $2,000 bonus for teachers approved by Gov. Brian Kemp and extended by Superintendent Ragsdale to all permanent full-time and part-time employees in the April 2022 payroll.  

In 2019, the Board of Education followed Superintendent Ragsdale’s recommendation to a historic 8-12.6% raise for every non-temporary staff member. Last year amid a pandemic, Superintendent Ragsdale secured a 4-8.6% raise for the Cobb Schools team.

In addition to other Board business, the Board members voted on personnel updates, including new principals and assistant principals. They also celebrated students and staff for success on the state and national level. Prior to the monthly Board meeting, Board members underwent annual Board governance training.

Additional Highlights for the Proposed FY2023 Budget:

  •   The FY2023 Tentative Budget is balanced 
  •   FY2023 General Fund Budget: 

o    $1,303,409,442    General Fund Revenue 

o    $1,333,260,529    General Fund Expenditure Appropriations 

o    ($29,851,087)       FY2023 Budgeted Use of Fund Balance

  •   The District continues to maintain a AAA Credit Rating from 3 Global Credit Rating Services (Moody’s Investor Service, Standard & Poor’s, Kroll Credit Rating Agency). The District is the only government entity or corporation in the United States with 3 AAA Credit Ratings.
  •   The District maintains a high degree of transparency regarding the FY2023 Budget to provide Cobb County Citizens with all information regarding taxpayer funds. All budget information and meetings are included on the district website.
  •   The finances of the Cobb County School District continue to be audited every year by a professional, independent auditor (Mauldin & Jenkins CPAs).  

 

Personnel Updates:

  •   Michelle Curry, Reassignment to Principal, Bryant Elementary School from Principal, Norton Park Elementary School effective July 1, 2022.
  •    Peggy Fleming, Principal Rocky Mount Elementary School, retirement effective July 1, 2022.
  •   John Kendall Foster, Reassignment to Principal, Norton Park Elementary School from Principal, East Valley Elementary School effective July 1, 2022.
  •   Tracy Guillory, Appointment to Principal, Lindley Middle School from Assistant Director, Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy effective July 1, 2022
  •   John Kelly, Principal Cobb Horizon High School, retirement effective August 1, 2022.
  •   Michael Murray, Director, Field Services, Chief Technology Division, retirement effective June 1, 2022.
  •   Dr. Whitney Spooner, Appointment to Principal, Eastvalley Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Sope Creek Elementary School effective July 1, 2022.
  •   Dr. Starla Townsend, , Appointment to Director, Instructional Technology, Chief Technology Division from Technology Training Integration Specialist, Chief Technology Division effective May 23, 2022.
  •   Dr. Cheri Vaniman, Appointment to Principal, Rocky Mount Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Nicholson Elementary School effective July 1, 2022.
  •   Elayna Wilson, Reassignment to Principal, Powers Ferry Elementary School from Principal Lindley Middle School effective July 1, 2022

 

Personnel Updates for Below Principal Level Positions:

Elementary School 

  •   Stephen Joel Atchison, Assistant Principal, Murdock Elementary School, Resignation effective June 13, 2022.
  •   Bradley Cohen, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Bells Ferry Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Addison Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Ronald Crawford, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Smyrna Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Green Acres Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Jaime Davies, Assistant Principal, Mount Bethel Elementary School resignation effective June 13, 2022.
  •   Ashley Ford, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Mount Bethel Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Smyrna Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Dr. Tiffany Jones, , Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Green Acres Elementary School from Assistant Principal, King Springs Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Courtney Kelly, , Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Nicholson Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Big Shanty Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Elizabeth Marsili, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Kennesaw Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Bells Ferry Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Zachary Mathis, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, King Springs Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Vaughan Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Gina, McClenning, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Hollydale Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Teasley Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Katrina Shirley, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Pitner Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Kennesaw Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Tresa Snow, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Sope Creek Elementary School from Coordinator, South Cobb Early Learning Center effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Cara Tucker, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Russell Elementary School from Assistant Principal, King Springs Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Cynthia Michelle Waters Gillham, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Addison Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Russell Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

Middle School

  •   Kerri Bell, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Durham Middle School from Assistant Principal, Awtrey Middle School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Donald Holmes, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Griffin Middle School from Assistant Principal, Tapp Middle School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Carrie Lowery, Appointment to Assistant Principal, Dodgen Middle School from Technology Training Integration Specialist, Chief Technology Division effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Dr. Kacie Phipps, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, East Cobb Middle School from Assistant Principal, Griffin Middle School effective July 11, 2022.
  • Shannon Thorpe, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Awtrey Middle School from Assistant Principal, Durham Middle School effective July 11, 2022.

High School

  •   Bradley Adkins, Appointment to Assistant Principal, McEachern High School from Teacher, Sprayberry High School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Jeffrey Burch, Employment as Assistant Principal, Kell High School from Athletic Director/Administrative Assistant, Centennial High School, Roswell, GA effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Dr. Mark Giles, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, North Cobb High School from Assistant Principal, Hillgrove High School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Ormond Moore, Appointment to Assistant Principal, Osborne High School from Teacher, Osborne High School effective July 11, 2022.
  •   Christopher Murray, Appointment to Assistant Principal, Allatoona High School from Teacher, Allatoona High School effective July 11, 2022.

 

The Board voted to approve the following Ed-SPLOST projects: 

  •   AGENDA ITEM #3 – Recommendation to Phase in Building 5040 at Walton High School 
  •   AGENDA ITEM #4 – Recommendation for Approval of Architect Appointment for the Wheeler High School Renovations

 

School Board Recognizes East Cobb Schools:

 

  • 2021-2022 Robotics State Champions: Team Zeta (Design Award) – Tritt Elementary School
  • 2021-2022 Robotics State Champions: Team Gamma (Driver Skills) – Tritt Elementary School
  • 2021-2022 Inspire Award Recipients and CircuitRunners Robotics Team State Champions – Wheeler High School
  • 2021-2022 Peachtree District Robotics Team State Champions – Walton High School
  • 2021-2022 GHSA Class 6A Girls Tennis Champions – Walton High School

 

  • 2021-2022 GHSA Class 6A Boys Tennis Champions – Walton High School
  • 2021-2022 Georgia Science and Engineering Fair: Junior Pinnacle Award – Akshadha Mehta, Dodgen Middle School
  • 2021-2022 Georgia Science and Engineering Fair Awards: First Honors – Misha Patel and Samarth Mahapatra, Wheeler High School
  • 2021-2022 International Science and Engineering Fair Finalists: Misha Patel, Wheeler High School and Stephen Litt, Kennesaw Mountain High School; Finalist and 4th in the World Award – Rohan Kalia, Wheeler High School
  • 2021-2022 CCSD Athletic Director of the Year – Scott Kelly, Lassiter High School

 

  • 2021-2022 GHSA Class 6A Girls Soccer Champions – Lassiter High School
  • 2021-2022 GHSA Class 6A Boys Soccer Champions – Lassiter High School.