Athens Reporter

Cobb Schools issued the following announcement on May 20. 

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.

“People who live here want Cobb to stay Cobb, the best place to raise a family in the metro area. Over 93% of our budget goes to educators and it should. I am proud we approved the Superintendent’s recommended budget and happy to say, this Board is committed to keeping Cobb, Cobb,” 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 assistance 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 for Principal Level and Higher Positions:

•    Cline, Timeka, Reassignment to Principal, Nickajack Elementary School from Principal, Bryant Elementary School effective July 1, 2022.

•    Curry, Michelle, Reassignment to Principal, Bryant Elementary School from Principal, Norton Park Elementary School effective July 1, 2022.

•    Fleming, Peggy, Principal Rocky Mount Elementary School, retirement effective July 1, 2022.

•    Foster, John Kendall, Reassignment to Principal, Norton Park Elementary School from Principal, East Valley Elementary School effective July 1, 2022.

•    Guillory, Tracy, Appointment to Principal, Lindley Middle School from Assistant Director, Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy effective July 1, 2022

•    Kelly, John, Principal Cobb Horizon High School, retirement effective August 1, 2022.

•    Murray, Michael, Director, Field Services, Chief Technology Division, retirement effective June 1, 2022.

•    Spooner, Dr. Whitney, Appointment to Principal, Eastvalley Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Sope Creek Elementary School effective July 1, 2022.

•    Townsend, Dr. Starla, Appointment to Director, Instructional Technology, Chief Technology Division from Technology Training Integration Specialist, Chief Technology Division effective May 23, 2022.

•    Vaniman, Dr. Cheri, Appointment to Principal, Rocky Mount Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Nicholson Elementary School effective July 1, 2022.

•    Wilson, Elayna, 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 

•    Atchison, Stephen Joel, Assistant Principal, Murdock Elementary School, Resignation effective June 13, 2022.

•    Cohen, Bradley, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Bells Ferry Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Addison Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Crawford, Ronald, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Smyrna Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Green Acres Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Davies, Jaime, Assistant Principal, Mount Bethel Elementary School resignation effective June 13, 2022.

•    Ford, Ashley, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Mount Bethel Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Smyrna Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Jones, Dr. Tiffany, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Green Acres Elementary School from Assistant Principal, King Springs Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Kelly, Courtney, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Nicholson Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Big Shanty Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Marsili, Elizabeth, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Kennesaw Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Bells Ferry Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Mathis, Zachary, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, King Springs Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Vaughan Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

•     McClenning, Gina, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Hollydale Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Teasley Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Shirley, Katrina, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Pitner Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Kennesaw Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Snow, Tresa, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Sope Creek Elementary School from Coordinator, South Cobb Early Learning Center effective July 11, 2022.

•    Tucker, Cara, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Russell Elementary School from Assistant Principal, King Springs Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Waters Gillham, Cynthia Michelle, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Addison Elementary School from Assistant Principal, Russell Elementary School effective July 11, 2022.

Middle School

•    Bell, Kerri, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Durham Middle School from Assistant Principal, Awtrey Middle School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Holmes, Donald, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Griffin Middle School from Assistant Principal, Tapp Middle School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Lowery, Carrie, Appointment to Assistant Principal, Dodgen Middle School from Technology Training Integration Specialist, Chief Technology Division effective July 11, 2022.

•    Phipps, Dr. Kacie, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, East Cobb Middle School from Assistant Principal, Griffin Middle School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Thorpe, Shannon, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, Awtrey Middle School from Assistant Principal, Durham Middle School effective July 11, 2022.

High School

•    Adkins, Bradley, Appointment to Assistant Principal, McEachern High School from Teacher, Sprayberry High School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Burch, Jeffrey, Employment as Assistant Principal, Kell High School from Athletic Director/Administrative Assistant, Centennial High School, Roswell, GA effective July 11, 2022.

•    Giles, Dr. Mark, Reassignment to Assistant Principal, North Cobb High School from Assistant Principal, Hillgrove High School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Moore, Ormond, Appointment to Assistant Principal, Osborne High School from Teacher, Osborne High School effective July 11, 2022.

•    Murray, Christopher, 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 

•    AGENDA ITEM #4 – Recommendation for Approval of Architect Appointment for the Wheeler High School Renovations

Additional Personnel Actions:

The Board also approved the extension of the employment contract of those individuals listed on Exhibit I of the Human Resources Personnel Report, i.e., The Superintendents Cabinet.

Board Recognitions:

• 2021-2022 GHSA Class 7A Boys Soccer State Champions – Harrison High School 

• 2021-2022 Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl State Champions – Kemp Elementary School 

• 2021-2022 Robotics State Champions: Team Zeta (Design Award) – Tritt Elementary School 

• 2021-2022 Robotics State Champions: Team Gamma (Driver Skills) – Tritt Elementary School (pictured above)

• 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

Original source can be found here.

Source: Cobb Schools