Cobb County School District honors classified employees, bus drivers and public safety staff

The Cobb County School District board recognized a slate of classified employees and district crews at its Oct. 16 meeting, spotlighting custodians, community-site coordinators, bus drivers and the district public safety team.

At the elementary-school level the board named Ashley Tallon of Compton Elementary the district’s 2025–26 elementary classified Employee of the Year; Tallon was described as critical to daily operations and was joined at the dais by Principal Megan Smith, Assistant Principal Allie Edwards and members of her family. The middle-school honor went to Sean Hall, identified as a 10-year head custodian at Autry (transcript variants also show "Autrey") Middle School; the board noted Hall’s role in keeping school facilities clean and supporting theater productions. The high-school classified Employee of the Year was Adonica Bailey of Horizon High School, recognized for work as a community school site coordinator who connects students to supplies, clothing, food, medical help and transportation resources.

Superintendent and staff also marked National School Bus Safety Week and Bus Driver Appreciation Week (Oct. 20–24). The district’s transportation leadership said the system serves about 65,000 students daily with a fleet the presenter described as the second-largest in Georgia; transportation leaders and more than 30 drivers were invited forward for recognition.

Finally, the board honored public safety personnel during Public Safety Appreciation Week. Staff listed multiple members of the district police department and several K9 teams by name and thanked the roughly 81 officers who support students and staff.

The recognitions were presented by district staff and accepted with applause; the superintendent and board expressed appreciation for the honorees’ service.

The meeting proceeded after the recognitions to routine business, including a personnel report and superintendent remarks.