At the June Board of Education Meeting, the Board recognized several District departments for awards and exceptional work in their respective areas. The Accounting, Communications, Financial Planning and Analysis Departments, and Human Resources Division were each invited to the front of the room to be congratulated by and photographed with the Superintendent and the Board.

"Please join me down in front," Superintendent Ragsdale said as he invited the Board to the steps leading to the dais, "for Dr. Kevin Daniel's final presentations of his career." The retiring Chief of Staff took his place behind the podium to applause from the Board and the audience for his thirty years of dedicated service in Cobb Schools. Dr. Daniel read the awards and announced the names of each group member before calling them forward for photos.

Continuing a 20-year streak, the Financial Planning & Analysis Department was recognized for receiving the 2022 Meritorious Budget Award from the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO). An integral part of Cobb's Financial Services Division, Planning and Analysis helped win the award in part with excellent presentations for the local community to help explain the budget with clarity and brevity. 

"This is the highest form of recognition in government finance and budgeting," said Dr. Daniel describing the award. The Meritorious Budget Award signals a commitment to sound financial practices, planning, procedures, and the best practices in financial operations. The Financial Planning and Analysis Department has received this award every year since 2002.

Financial Planning and Analysis Dept.

The Accounting Department, also a part of the Financial Service Division, was recognized next for exceptional work with the ASBO 2022 Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Certificate of Excellence promotes and recognizes school districts for high-quality, transparent Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.

"It represents a significant achievement in the field of professional accounting, reflects the District's continued commitment to transparency and high-quality financial reporting, and ensures the District follows governmental finance best practices," Dr. Daniel praised. The District has received this award every year since 1984, a nearly 40-year run of high-quality accounting and reporting.

Accounting Dept.

The Human Resources Division was congratulated for winning the Gold Award of Excellence for their Benefits Process. The Georgia Association of School Personnel Administrators voted Cobb's HR department Best In Class for this category. 

"The Award of Excellence is a very prestigious award and follows the Association's mission to 'lead the way in providing the best Human Resources management services for Georgia's public schools,'" Dr. Daniel said and added his agreement about the great work of the Cobb Schools' HR Division.

Human Resources

The District Communications Department, part of the Strategy and Accountability Division, was also called forward for winning several Gold Awards from the Georgia School Public Relations Association (GSPRA). The department won 9 golds and three silvers from GSPRA, including one Best In Category for Social Media. The GSPRA Gold Awards included marketing, photography, videography, and writing. 

The department was also awarded 10 Excellence Awards from the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), including six Excellence in Writing and four Excellence in Video awards. 

Communications Dept.

Great work, Cobb Schools! You are all an important part of why our District is the BEST PLACE to Teach, Lead, and Learn - well done!