December 11, 2025 — The Cobb County School District is celebrating an extraordinary milestone this week, as the first class of Georgia’s BEST doctoral graduates is recognized at December's Board of Education meeting. 

Georgia’s BEST is a partnership between Cobb Schools and the University of West Georgia. It was created with a clear purpose: to invest in Cobb educators so they can bring new knowledge, stronger leadership, and fresh perspectives back into their schools. 

For this first graduating doctoral class, that promise has become deeply personal. Financial barriers often stand between educators and advanced degrees. That is why Assistant Principal Caroline O’Connor of Pine Mountain Middle School describes Georgia’s BEST as life-changing. 

“I didn’t have to pay out of pocket. I didn’t have to take out a loan,” she said. “They’re investing in us. And in return, it allows us to invest in ourselves, our children, our families.” 

Her degree has already become a lesson for her own children in the value of lifelong learning. 

Since its inception, 530 Cobb educators have graduated from the program, and 720 are Georgia's BEST students. The program offers nine degrees and over 200 courses taught by 30 Cobb instructors. Georgia's BEST has also become a state model, leading to a higher teacher retention rate. Since 2023, the district has seen a 75% reduction in teacher vacancies. 

Assistant Principal Angelica Moss of Daniell Middle School said joining the program felt like the opportunity she had been waiting for. 

“I immediately said I want to be a part of this,” she shared. 

The growth she experienced was immediate and practical. 

“I’m able to directly apply it to my job and my position. It is challenging, but it is so worth it.” Moss called the program “life-changing” for her and her family. “It means everything to me that the Cobb County School District was willing to make that investment in me.” 

Cobb’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Keeli Bowen, shared the district’s vision for these graduates: “We want to keep our strong, dedicated educators in Cobb. Their new knowledge and enhanced skill sets will ultimately help our students continue to succeed.” 

Graduates agree and say it's already happening. From improving school culture to strengthening teacher support, the impact of Georgia’s BEST is evident across classrooms. 

AAA Credit Rating

The Cobb County School District has once again been recognized as the nation's best financially managed school district. All three major credit rating agencies—Moody's Investor's Service ("Moody's"), Kroll Credit Rating Agency, and Standard & Poor's (S&P)—assigned Cobb a triple A (Aaa/AAA) Credit Rating.

These ratings signify fiscal prudence and the district's ability to manage taxpayer funds with the utmost integrity. This exceptional standing benefits the district by reducing costs and enabling investments directly in classrooms for our more than 105,000 students.

"Receiving a AAA rating from all three agencies for the 5th year in a row is incredibly humbling," said Board Chair David Chastain, "It tells our families we are trusted by the best finance firms in the world and, more importantly, that we are managing their tax dollars wisely."

Board Recognitions

2025-2026 GHSA Class 4A One-Act Play Best Actress State Champion, Piper Cathey, Allatoona High School

2025-2026 GHSA Class 6A Girls Volleyball State Champions, Walton High School

 2025-2026 GHSA Class 6A Girls Individual Cross Country State Champion, Paige Comstock, Harrison High School 

2025-2026 Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Excellence in Teacher Award, Heather Mullins, Mt. Bethel Elementary School