School board approves personnel moves, upholds two student-discipline appeals
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Summary
The Cobb County School Board approved principal and cabinet appointments and contract extensions and upheld two student disciplinary appeals in votes following executive session.
The Cobb County School Board on April 24 approved a slate of personnel actions including principal appointments, transfers and the extension of cabinet contracts, and later upheld two student-discipline appeal decisions reached in executive session.
Chief human resources officer Kimmy Bowen presented the personnel report dated April 24, 2025, recommending multiple principal-level appointments and reassignments as well as contract extensions for members of the superintendent's cabinet. The board voted to approve the personnel report following a motion by Mr. Scammerhorn; the vote on the original motion was recorded as seven in favor, none opposed.
Appointments and effective dates listed in the personnel report included the retirement of Bradley Reuben Johnson, chief financial officer, effective June 1, 2025; the retirement of Brett Ward, principal, Kennesaw Elementary School, effective July 1, 2025; and the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Anthony Young as principal of Griffin Middle School from assistant principal at Mabry Middle School, effective June 1, 2025. David Baker was listed as appointment to chief financial officer from director of financial services effective April 25, 2025. Several other reassignments and principal appointments were presented with July 1, 2025 effective dates.
The superintendent also recommended extensions of employment contracts for cabinet members from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The list included Keeley Bowen (chief human resources officer), John Floresta (chief strategy and accountability officer), Sherry Hill (chief of staff), Dr. Jasmine Kullar (chief school leadership officer), Dr. Catherine Melanda (chief academic officer), Mark Smith (chief technology and operations officer), and others as specified in the report.
Before final approval of the personnel slate the board considered an amendment offered by Ms. Sailor to separate the superintendent's cabinet section from the rest of the slate. The motion to amend failed, with two board members voting in favor and four opposed; the board then returned to and approved the original motion.
Student-discipline actions: The board also voted to uphold the student disciplinary decisions discussed in executive session in two appeals. Mr. Wheeler moved to uphold the decision in appeal number 16; Mr. Scammerhorn seconded and the motion passed unanimously. Mr. Scammerhorn moved to uphold the decision in appeal number 15; the motion was seconded (Ms. Sailor) and passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The personnel approvals set leadership for multiple schools for the 2025–26 school year and extend the superintendent's cabinet contracts through the next fiscal year, shaping district leadership and operational continuity. The upheld appeals close two disciplinary matters for which the board served as the final arbiter.
No statutes or administrative rules were cited during the personnel presentation; the report and motions were based on recommendations discussed in executive session as stated by the administration.