Cobb Reporter

During the December Board of Education meeting, Cobb County's school board approved its 2025 Legislative Priorities. These priorities focus on financial sustainability, educational access, and safety and security. Board Chair David Chastain stated, "In Cobb, we are committed to creating schools where students feel secure and are empowered to achieve their best through high-quality instruction in a safe learning environment."

Safety remains a top priority for the district. The board is advocating for increased safety funding and stronger criminal penalties for threats against schools. They also support measures to protect minors from THC and vape products.

Financial sustainability is another focus area. The board opposes diverting funds from public education and advocates for fiscal notes on all education legislation affecting school funding. They call for equal financial accountability for all recipients of public education money.

The board also prioritizes educational access by supporting the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) to recruit and retain high-quality teachers. Additionally, they emphasize the need for adequate funding for literacy coaches and professional learning.

In addition to legislative priorities, the board updated policies related to school choice, offering more options for parents both inside and outside Cobb County. Superintendent Chris Ragsdale emphasized a preventive approach to school safety, stating that it is important "to be preventive instead of reactive when it comes to the safety of students and staff."

Ragsdale acknowledged contributions from various groups within the district: "I firmly believe the Cobb County School District provides our students and community with the most outstanding team of educators and support personnel in the State of Georgia." He also praised bipartisan support from citizens: "This quiet but constant support is why families and businesses consistently list the excellent reputation of our schools as one of - if not THE - prime reason they are moving to Cobb County."

The meeting concluded with several recognitions, including awards given by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and acknowledgments of achievements by local schools.