Excitement for a new school year carried into the first Board of Education meeting of 2025–2026.
With classrooms bustling, buses rolling, and Friday night lights shining once again, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale shared what so many families and staff have already felt: this has been one of the smoothest starts to a school year in memory.
Celebrating Excellence in Cobb
The Board meeting included special recognitions for outstanding student and staff achievements, setting the tone for another successful year. Just as Cobb football season kicked off with energy across the county, the Board honored a long list of state athletic champions. From track stars and soccer champions to award-winning music students, Superintendent Ragsdale and Cobb Board members celebrated the achievements of the state’s best.
The Board also celebrated Cobb’s top three teachers—the District’s Teachers of the Year representing the elementary, middle, and high school levels. These educators exemplify the innovation, dedication, and passion that make Cobb the leader in Georgia education.
"The excitement of back-to-school comes full circle when we get to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students and staff, like we did today," said Board Chair David Chastain. "I love that connection— it shows what happens when our community invests in education: our students and staff succeed!"
Investing in Cobb’s Future
Cobb Schools continues to set the standard for supporting teachers while being one of the most efficient districts in the metro Atlanta area. Superintendent Ragsdale reminded the Board that Cobb teachers earn the highest daily rate in the region, while the District maintains one of the lowest costs per student—proof of careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Programs like Georgia’s BEST, which focus on recruiting and retaining top educators, are another reason teachers choose to stay and grow their careers in Cobb.
In addition to investing in people, the District is investing in facilities that expand opportunities for students. Board members reviewed several projects underway across Cobb, including the new Ed-SPLOST, community-supported, Cobb Innovation & Technology Academy at Allatoona High School, which is already under construction and will prepare students for innovative careers after graduation.
Board Recognitions 2024-2025
Statewide & National School Bus Safety Poster First Place, Division One Winner – Skylar Roque, Smyrna Elementary School
2025 The School of Beats Music Technology Competition State Winner – Lucy Bellamy, Hightower Trail Middle School
2025 The School of Beats Music Technology State Administrator of The Year – Dr. Sara Womack, Applied Learning & Design, Academic Division
2024-2025 GADA Director’s Cup Class 6A Overall Champions – Walton High School Athletics
2024-2025 GHSA Class 6A Boys Baseball State Champions – Walton High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 6A Girls Soccer State Champions – Walton High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 6A Girls Discus – Ayla Inan, Walton High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 6A Girls 100- & 200-Meter Dash – Somto Igwilo, Walton High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 6A Girls 200-Meter Relay – Dominique Rose, Kiyah Boyd, Mina Lovelace, and Anais Fraser – McEachern High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 6A Girls 400-Meter Relay – Kiyah Boyd, Mina Lovelace, Anais Fraser, and Anaya Fraser – McEachern High School 
2024-2025 GHSA Class 6A Boys Soccer State Champions – Campbell High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 6A Boys Pole Vault – Greyson Myers, Campbell High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 6A Girls Pole Vault – Hendley Moody, Harrison High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 6A Girls 100- & 300-Meter Hurdles – Jasmine Robinson, North Cobb High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 6A Girls 800-Meter Run – Oluwatosin Awoleye, South Cobb High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 4A Boys Triple Jump – Justin Arogundade, Kell High School
2024-2025 GADA Director’s Cup Class 5A Girls Champions – Pope High School Athletics
National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association’s Quality Program Assessment/QPA at the Exemplary Level – Pope High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 5A Girls State Track & Field Champions – Pope High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 5A Girls 800-Meter Relay – Josie Hutchinson, Aislynn Dunn, Phoebe Throckmorton, and Ahna Hicks – Pope High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 5A Girls 3200-Meter Run – Josie Hutchinson, Pope High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 5A Girls 800-Meter Run – Aislynn Dunn, Pope High School
2024-2025 GHSA Class 5A Girls 100-Meter Hurdles – Lauren Woodall, Pope High School
Elementary School Level Teacher of the Year – Caleb Garrett, Compton Elementary School
Middle School Level Teacher of the Year – Lakeisha Grange, Betty Gray Middle School
High School Level Teacher of the Year – Amanda Dillard, Pope High School
