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Cobb County board honors students, teachers and inaugural Georgia’s Best doctoral cohort; accepts personnel report
Summary
During its Dec. 11, 2025 meeting the board recognized athletic and academic champions, honored 63 graduates of the district’s inaugural Georgia’s Best doctoral program, accepted a personnel report and approved an appointment to a principalship.
The Cobb County School District Board of Education used part of its Dec. 11, 2025 meeting to recognize athletes, teachers and the district’s first Georgia’s Best doctoral cohort, and then accepted a human resources personnel report by unanimous vote.
Sherry Hill introduced multiple recognitions, including Piper Kathy of Allatoona High School (best actress, GHSA 1-act state competition), Walton High School’s GHSA Class 6A girls volleyball state champions and Paige Comstock of Harrison High School (Class 6A cross-country individual state champion). Hill also honored Heather Mullins, a teacher at Mount Bethel Elementary, as the Georgia Council of Teachers of Mathematics Excellence in Teaching Award recipient.
The board and superintendent also recognized the inaugural cohort of 63 graduates from the Georgia’s Best doctoral program (EDSI), a partnership launched with the University of West Georgia. The program’s spokesperson, Tangela Hendricks, principal of Hendricks Elementary School, thanked Superintendent Chris Ragsdale and presented a plaque and a $1,000 donation to the American Heart Association on the cohort’s behalf. Hendricks noted that comparable doctoral programs can cost between $40,000 and $60,000 if paid privately.
Keeley Bowen, the district’s human resources officer, presented the personnel report dated Dec. 11, 2025, and recommended several employment actions, including the appointment of Dr. Lisonbee Gursky as principal of Pitner Elementary School effective Jan. 1, 2026. Following a motion by board member Scammerhorn and a second, the board voted to accept the personnel report, with the motion passing 7–0.
Superintendent Ragsdale opened with condolences for a student and a paraprofessional and noted districtwide accomplishments, including Cobb’s recognition by Niche as one of the top places to live nationally. He reminded the public the district will be closed Dec. 22–Jan. 2, with staff returning Jan. 5 and students returning Jan. 6.
The meeting concluded after the board moved on to other business.
