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Cobb County School Board approves multiple policy revisions after heated public comments over livestreaming
Summary
After a 30‑minute public‑comment period with repeated calls to preserve livestreaming, the Cobb County School Board approved several policy revisions by narrow margins, accepted recommended personnel actions and adopted an 18.7‑mill FY2026 millage rate. Critics said removing live broadcasts would silence dissent; board members argued policies balance legal and operational concerns.
Dozens of residents urged the Cobb County School Board on July 17 to preserve live broadcasts of public comments, saying the livestream is essential for transparency and accountability. Speakers described teachers and students who fear retaliation and urged the board to reject proposed policy language that would limit or remove live recording of the comment period.
"This policy isn't about legal risk. It's about eliminating public accountability," said Laura Zist during the public‑comment period, arguing the change would "silence dissent." Parent Melissa Hagen told the board, "If you remove public comments from the livestream, you're not just changing a format. You are silencing people." Several other commenters—teachers, parents and students—urged the board to keep broadcasts and to lower barriers so 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds can speak.
The board moved from public comment to a series of policy votes. Mr. York introduced a revision package as agenda item 6 and the board…
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