Hello, and welcome to the 2006 Annual Report for the Cobb County School District. As 2006 Board of Education chair, I am proud to share this comprehensive report with you. I encourage you to review it, learn about our school district, and reflect on another terrific year in our educational community.

In January 2006, the Board hired Fred Sanderson as superintendent. Mr. Sanderson has an extensive career in Cobb County education serving as a teacher, a coach, a principal, and a central office administrator. His leadership is evident throughout the District, and we are excited about the focus he is placing on student achievement, leadership development, fiscal responsibility, and building relationships through enhanced communication.

Of course, our highest priority as a Board is providing the resources and oversight that lead to academic success for all students. I’m proud to see continued improvement by our students on the test scores and benchmarks used to evaluate their progress.

I am also pleased to report to taxpayers that the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program renewed by voters in 2003 continues to pay dividends for the Cobb community. In 2006, three beautiful new schools opened - Hillgrove High, Lovinggood Middle and McClure Middle. The Board of Education also approved numerous classroom additions, renovations, and safety and technology improvements for schools as part of the SPLOST II program. Each Cobb County teacher began the 2006-07 school year with a SPLOST-approved laptop computer to assist with classroom instruction. Best of all, thanks to SPLOST, all long term debt will be paid off in February 2007, and the Cobb County School District will become one of the few public school systems to declare itself bond-debt free!

The year has not been without its challenges. Despite significant improvements from last year, the District did not make “Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)” under the No Child Left Behind Act for the second year in a row. Districts and schools that do not make AYP for two consecutive years are labeled “Needs Improvement”. The label is a result of the academic performance of specific subgroups of students. The good news is that the District has an aggressive plan to target improvement for these subgroups, and we are confident that adequate progress is around the corner.

Lastly, I am proud of the school board and District’s concerted effort in the past year to stress communication with stakeholders. The Board’s monthly e-mail newsletter has served as a means for us to inform the public about academic progress, SPLOST improvements, community initiatives and more. I encourage all of our constituents to sign up for the District’s e-mail lists and be informed. The administration has made upgrades to its online and print materials to ensure clear and prompt delivery of information, and our schools and PTSAs are keeping parents informed in their neighborhoods.

Thank you for supporting public education, and for all you do to help sustain the Cobb County School District’s reputation for excellence.

Teresa Plenge, Ph.D.
2005-06 Chairman,
Cobb County Board of Education
Post 7

New Board Members Elected in 2006
Holli Cash Post 2	Dr. John Abraham Post 4	Dr. John Crooks Post 7