Cobb County board extends superintendent contract, approves personnel and opts out of state homestead process

The Cobb County School District Board of Education on Feb. 13, 2025, extended Superintendent Ragsdale's contract through Feb. 12, 2028, approved human-resources and student-discipline recommendations and voted to opt out of the House Bill 581 homestead-exemption process, with each recorded vote passing unanimously, 6-0.

Board action matters because the contract extension secures district leadership for three years and the opt-out vote implements the superintendent's recommendation to avoid a projected funding loss the administration said would total about $43,000,000 if the state process were adopted.

At the start of the action portion of the meeting, Chief Human Resources Officer Keely Bowen presented the personnel report for Feb. 13, 2025, noting there were “no principal level or higher position recommendations.” The board approved the administration's personnel recommendations as presented.

Student-discipline appeals: Board member Miss Davis moved to approve the student disciplinary hearing officer's decision in student discipline appeal 12, seconded by Mr. Scammerhorn; the motion passed 6-0. Board member Mr. Schumacher moved to approve the student disciplinary hearing officer's decision in student discipline appeal 13, seconded by Mr. Wheeler; that motion also passed 6-0.

Superintendent contract extension: Board member Mr. Cristaduro moved to extend Superintendent Ragsdale's contract to be effective from Feb. 13, 2025 to Feb. 12, 2028; Mr. Wheeler seconded. The board approved the extension by a 6-0 vote.

Consent items: During the meeting's consent agenda, the board accepted the superintendent's recommendations to demolish selected school property at Bells Ferry to build a replacement school, approved a guaranteed maximum price for Bells Ferry Elementary School, and authorized renewal of a portable-classroom contract. The consent agenda was approved without objection.

Statewide homestead exemption opt-out: Agenda item No. 6 was the administration's recommendation that the district opt out of the House Bill 581 process. Superintendent Ragsdale told the board that implementation of the HB 581 process “would have lost $43,000,000,” and said he could not recommend any action that would reduce funding to the district. Mr. Scammerhorn moved to approve the opt-out resolution, Mr. Hutchins seconded, and the motion passed 6-0.

Votes at a glance: student-discipline appeal 12 — motion by Miss Davis; second Mr. Scammerhorn; outcome: approved, 6-0. Student-discipline appeal 13 — motion by Mr. Schumacher; second Mr. Wheeler; outcome: approved, 6-0. Personnel report — motion to accept (mover recorded as Miss Davis in the meeting); outcome: approved. Superintendent contract extension (02/13/2025–02/12/2028) — motion by Mr. Cristaduro; second Mr. Wheeler; outcome: approved, 6-0. Consent agenda including Bells Ferry demolition, guaranteed maximum price, and portable-classroom renewal — approved by unanimous consent. HB 581 opt-out resolution — motion by Mr. Scammerhorn; second Mr. Hutchins; outcome: approved, 6-0.

The board chair declared the motions carried and adjourned the meeting. The board had six members present; one member, Miss Sailor, was absent.