July 17, 2025—As the new school year begins, Cobb Schools is reaffirming its unwavering commitment to what matters most—students, teachers, and schools. 

“We are either serious about being focused on students, teachers, and our schools, or we are not. I can assure you, I am.” 

That commitment includes his recommendation to modify how public comments are heard during monthly Board meetings. 

“These changes…provide anyone who does not want to be broadcast across the Internet the opportunity to share their concerns with the board, without being subjected to abuse, harassment, and doxxing.” 

As part of the board’s discussion, Superintendent Ragsdale further explained how the District continues to exceed the legal requirement for public comment opportunities. 

“If we were trying to do as the naysayers accuse us of and limit [public comment], we would certainly not have two separate public comment sessions. As I mentioned, we're going above and beyond. We don't have to. The law requires you to have one (public comment session) per meeting, and we have two.”

Read the Superintendent’s full remarks here or watch them here. 

“My recommended changes to this policy will allow our Board meetings to be more efficient and more focused on the business of students, teachers, and our schools – and will remove the liability associated with the broadcast of public comments. Georgia law and Cobb County Board Policy BCBI authorize the board of education to set aside time, during regular Board meetings, for the general public to communicate directly with the Board and superintendent…to actually solve a problem, if a parent or other member of the public has a concern, we strongly encourage that person to try to resolve the concern at the most immediate level. Speaking directly to the person with the most knowledge about the situation is the best approach to solve any problem.

Many years ago, we started broadcasting our board meetings. The majority of Georgia’s more than 180 school districts do not. This included broadcasting public comments – something extremely rare for a school district. In fact, there are districts that broadcast their meetings but do not broadcast public comment… 

…I have personally heard from citizens, including parents, who would like to engage in public comment with the Board and don’t, because they do not want to be subjected to internet ridicule, abuse, or doxxing. Some people are just camera-shy and do not sign up to speak because they do not wish to appear in a broadcast… 

…These changes allow our Board meetings to be more efficient and more focused on the business of students, teachers, and our schools. They will resolve risks that the District faces when it broadcasts public comments. This will also hopefully encourage others who want to share their concerns directly with the board and superintendent to participate…

This is my recommendation so our Board meetings can be more efficient and more focused on the business of students, teachers, and our schools…We are either serious about being focused on students, teachers, and our schools, or we are not. I can assure you, I am.”

Later, the Superintendent expressed excitement for the new school year, thanking the many educators who supported students through summer learning opportunities and celebrating the 300 new teachers joining Cobb’s already strong team. 

He clarified that while Georgia’s new cell phone law has drawn attention, no changes will go into effect this school year—policy implementation will begin in 2026–2027, giving parents time to prepare. Although Cobb will follow the law, Superintendent Ragsdale emphasized that parents—not schools—should remain the decision-makers regarding their children’s access to technology. 

With the District 99.7% fully staffed and more than 105,000 students expected to return on August 4, the Superintendent closed by saying he’s looking forward to “another awesome year” in the best place to teach, lead, and learn.