Catoosa County superintendent touts student gains, details lead testing, budget pressures and CTAE grants

Catoosa County Public Schools leaders used a staff meeting to highlight academic gains while laying out safety steps and financial choices facing the district.

Superintendent Nicks said the district reached a 90.81% four‑year graduation rate for 2024 and noted several school designations and student awards. He also described how the district has handled water‑source lead testing, steps to expand teacher planning time, one‑time grants for Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO) travel and a recent $8 million tax‑anticipation note to bridge cashflow timing.

The achievements and statistics were front and center. Superintendent Nicks told employees that four secondary schools had been named math leader schools by the Georgia Department of Education, Wood Station Elementary earned a Title I Reward School designation, CCPS posted a 90.81% graduation rate that he said exceeds the statewide average of 85.4%, and more than 400 students participate in dual enrollment with Georgia Northwestern Technical College and Dalton State College. He also announced four $10,000 REACH scholarships and cited a 94% teacher retention rate.

Why it matters: the district’s academic progress comes as leaders manage health‑safety work and a budget squeeze the superintendent said has raised operating pressures on personnel costs and other items.

Water testing and mitigation

Superintendent Nicks said CCPS participated in the Clean Water for Kids testing program (a voluntary program in Georgia)…