Residents press Rockdale County on youth reporting center oversight, curriculum and transportation

Tina Hobbs, a public commenter, asked the Rockdale County Board of Commissioners a string of questions about the county’s Youth Reporting Center—who will teach its classes, what specific programs and initiatives will be offered, whether instructors are state-certified and who provides the curriculum, and whether snacks provided during the day are sufficient compared with a full meal in longer sessions. “Who is certified to teach the classes? Who’s responsible for providing the curriculum?” Hobbs asked, and told commissioners she would email the board and requested a written response.

Another resident, George Kalacek, told the board his group’s review suggested a van or bus associated with the youth program was purchased or leased in 2024 and asked whether it had been delivered, whether drivers need CDLs, whether safety cameras are installed, and, if leased, what the annual lease payment is. “We found out that there was a a new van bus purchased in 2024. We’re wondering if it was ever delivered,” Kalacek said, asking the county to follow up.

Those questions intersected with a consent-item the clerk read during the meeting: an amendment to the juvenile court’s youth reporting center contract that lists a $42-per-youth-per-day revenue rate for the term July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The clerk presented the item as grant funded and submitted for ratification; the board approved items 140–161, which included that juvenile court item, by unanimous voice vote.

County staff and the chair did not provide detailed answers about curriculum oversight, instructor certification, or the reported vehicle delivery during the meeting; the chair asked Hobbs to copy the clerk on her follow-up email, and board members said staff would gather the requested information. When asked whether replacement or grant funds for the youth program are tracked over prior years, Hobbs requested the county respond in writing so she could review specifics.

Why it matters: the youth reporting center supports court-involved youth, and questions about staffing qualifications, program content, nutrition during long-day sessions, and transportation affect program safety and outcomes. The board’s vote to ratify the contract amendment does not, by itself, answer the operational and oversight questions raised by members of the public.

What’s next: Hobbs said she would email the clerk with her questions and requested a response; the clerk and chair asked to be copied to ensure staff follow-up. The contract amendment for the youth reporting center was approved as part of the bundled items 140–161; the board took no separate public vote specific to program oversight during this meeting.