Cobb County board unanimously adds counselors, meal funding and IDEA/ESEA to 2026 legislative priorities

The Cobb County Board of Education unanimously approved an amended set of 2026 legislative priorities on Nov. 13 that adds three items the board's members described as urgent for student services and statutory obligations.

Board member Melissa Sailor moved to add (1) funding for school counselors at a ratio of one counselor per 250 students under the safety and security heading, (2) funding for school meal programs to prepare for potential federal funding changes, and (3) full funding for the legal obligations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The amendment and the subsequent vote on the amended main motion were both recorded as unanimous, 7–0.

Board members said the changes aim to signal the district's priorities to the local legislative delegation and to ensure continuity of supports if federal funding structures change. "I propose that we add funding for school counselors at a ratio of 1 counselor for every 250 students," Sailor said during debate, framing the request as both a safety and student-support priority.

Superintendent Mr. Ragsdale and other board members asked clarifying questions about the scope and funding mechanics of the meal-program proposal, noting that many meal programs currently rely on federal funding streams such as Medicaid-linked provisions. Ragsdale cautioned that asking for state funding would likely require new dollars rather than reallocating existing federal funds; he said district leadership and the superintendent’s office are already engaged in conversations with legislators and staff to refine the asks.

Board members also asked staff to prepare talking points for upcoming advocacy opportunities. Mr. Hutchins asked whether the district’s strategy team was preparing talking points for lawmakers; the superintendent said those conversations were underway and staff would provide materials for the board’s advocacy visits. Members pointed to Region 5 Capitol visits in February and the district’s annual delegation meeting in Washington, D.C., as forums to raise the priorities.

The board directed staff to place the three additions on the official priorities sheet in finalized language, and to supply talking points for board members and delegates. The amendment takes effect as the district's stated 2026 priorities pending the formal language staff will provide.