School board approves slate of principal-level promotions and cabinet contract extensions after executive session

The Cobb County School Board voted April 24 to approve a personnel report that listed retirements, principal appointments and administrative reassignments, and to extend contracts for members of the superintendent's cabinet for 2025–26.

Chief human resources officer Kimmy (Keeley) Bowen presented the personnel report and detailed principal-level recommendations and administrative assignments. The superintendent recommended the retirement of Bradley Reuben Johnson, chief financial officer, effective June 1, 2025, and presented the appointment of David Baker as chief financial officer, effective April 25, 2025.

Other principal-level and administrative actions in the personnel report included appointments and reassignments effective July 1, 2025: Brett Ward (retirement, Kennesaw Elementary principal), Dr. Jennifer Anthony Young (appointment to principal, Griffin Middle School), Pamela Kane (reassignment to principal, Dow Elementary), Michael Capucci (appointment to principal, Mableton Elementary), Beth Lair (assignment to principal, Kennesaw Elementary), Matthew Moody (appointment to assistant superintendent, school leadership division), Dr. Bertha Nelson (appointment to assistant superintendent, school leadership division), and Crystal Whatley (appointment to principal, McEachern High School). The personnel report listed additional reassignments as well.

The superintendent also recommended extensions of employment contracts for cabinet members effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026; names listed for extension 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 other assistant superintendents.

Board member Mr. Scammerhorn moved to approve the report; Mr. Wheeler seconded. Board member Sailor moved to amend the motion to separate the superintendent's cabinet section from the rest of the slate; the motion to amend failed on a voice/hand vote with two in favor and four opposed. The original motion to approve the full personnel report then passed on a roll-call/hand vote with seven in favor and none opposed.

The board took no additional public debate on the individual appointments at the meeting; all actions were presented as recommendations following executive session.

Because these hires and reassignments follow executive-session discussion, the board released the personnel report for public action without additional narrative about the reasons for each action.