Cobb Reporter

At the December Council meeting of the Northwest Cobb Area Chamber, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale discussed plans for a second career academy at Allatoona High School. He addressed questions about its location near the Paulding County line, stating, "What we're trying to do is place the career academies in specific parts of the county where students can have easy access." He emphasized that providing diverse paths to success is crucial for students.

Ragsdale thanked the Chamber for supporting Ed-SPLOST, which funds career academies and other school initiatives. Although specifics on Allatoona Career Academy are pending Board decisions, he highlighted successes from the Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy (CITA) at Osborne's campus. Interest in CITA is growing with high application rates and partnerships offering internships and industry certifications. WellStar Health System has significantly invested in CITA.

Addressing safety concerns following a tragedy at Apalachee, Ragsdale stated, "The pivot that we're making is from being reactive to being preventative," highlighting a partnership with Servius Group. Safety remains a budget priority with over $35 million annually spent on it.

On academic performance, Ragsdale noted Cobb Schools outperform state standards but acknowledged room for improvement. The district aims to attract top educators through competitive pay and professional development opportunities like Georgia's BEST.

He concluded by recognizing community support for SPLOST projects such as new gyms and theaters at every high school: "And please tell our teachers how much you appreciate them the next time you see them."