Cobb County school board tentatively approves FY26 budget; approves personnel slate, K‑9 purchase and upholds two student disciplinary appeals

The Cobb County School District Board of Education gave tentative approval to the superintendent's FY26 budget and approved several personnel moves and purchases during its April 24 meeting.

The board voted 7‑0 to give tentative approval to the FY26 budget, allowing administration to advertise the plan and gather public input before final approval on May 15, 2025. Chief Financial Officer Bradley Reuben Johnson presented the budget and highlighted concern about slower digest growth forecasted for next year; he also said the proposed budget includes a fully funded salary step that could result in raises up to about 4.6 percent depending on an employee's step.

On personnel, the board approved the human resources personnel report as discussed in executive session. The slate included the retirement of Bradley Reuben Johnson, chief financial officer, effective June 1, 2025; retirements and reassignments at the principal level; appointments including David Baker to chief financial officer (effective April 25, 2025); and contract extensions for multiple cabinet members for the 2025–26 year. A motion by Board member Scammerhorn to approve the full personnel slate passed 7‑0 after an earlier amendment by Board member Sailor to separate the superintendent's cabinet from the rest of the slate failed (the amendment drew 2 votes in favor and 4 opposed).

The board also voted to uphold two student disciplinary hearing decisions. Board member Wheeler moved to uphold the disciplinary decision identified in appeal number 16 and Scammerhorn moved to uphold the decision in appeal number 15; both motions passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The board authorized a budgeted purchase of K‑9 training, accessories and equipment described in the meeting as “vapor wake K‑9 officer–related training” at a cost of $450,000. The motion to approve the purchase carried (five in favor, one abstention by Board member Davis; no no votes were recorded).

Votes at a glance: - Personnel slate (human resources personnel report, 04/24/2025): motion to approve carried (7‑0). Notable items: Bradley Reuben Johnson, chief financial officer — retirement effective 06/01/2025; David Baker — appointment to chief financial officer effective 04/25/2025; multiple principal appointments and reassignments effective 07/01/2025; extensions of cabinet contracts effective 07/01/2025–06/30/2026. (Provenance: personnel report presented at 30 minutes into meeting.) - Amendment to separate superintendent's cabinet from personnel slate: motion to amend failed (2 in favor, 4 opposed). (Provenance: amendment debated at ~32:16–32:47.) - Student disciplinary appeal no. 16: board upheld the hearing decision (motion by Board member Wheeler; second by Scammerhorn) — carried (7‑0). (Provenance: motion at ~32:78–33:16.) - Student disciplinary appeal no. 15: board upheld the hearing decision (motion by Scammerhorn; second by Sailor) — carried (7‑0). (Provenance: motion at ~32:99–33:16.) - Agenda item 9 — purchase of vapor wake K‑9 training, accessories and equipment ($450,000): motion carried (5 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain — Ms. Davis). (Provenance: item presented ~40:83–41:08; vote recorded ~41:16–41:51.) - Agenda item 12 — tentative approval of the FY26 budget: motion carried (7‑0). Administration will seek final approval on 05/15/2025. (Provenance: budget presentation ~41:68–42:12; vote recorded ~44:55–44:65.)

The board's recorded tallies and the list of personnel actions are taken from the human resources report presented during the meeting; where the transcript did not record individual named votes, roll calls were recorded as tallies only.