November 13 — During November's Board of Education meeting, the board voted to expand the District's Vapor Wake Canine program by adding eight additional canines. With this approval, Cobb Schools will now have 16 Vapor Wake Canine teams, enough to assign one to each high school across the district.
Vapor Wake Canine teams are trained to detect person-borne or concealed explosives and firearms. Through a partnership with Global K9, these highly trained dogs and their certified handlers patrol campuses, providing an extra layer of protection for students and staff. Unlike traditional detection dogs, Vapor Wake canines continuously sample the air for odors associated with firearms and explosives, allowing them to track moving threats in real-time.
Superintendent Chris Ragsdale commended the program during the meeting, noting how well the dogs have been received at schools across the district. He also shared an example of their impact: when a local police department recently requested assistance during a pursuit of a suspect, Cobb Schools Police and one of the district's Vapor Wake dogs helped locate a discarded weapon along the roadside.
According to the Cobb Schools Police, over the last 90 days, the department's K9 team has conducted about 180 operational deployments within the district during school hours and at large-scale events. The Cobb Schools Police has also been requested to assist other agencies, including six searches for firearms on behalf of agencies such as Paulding County, Cobb County Police, Cobb County Sheriff's Office, Smyrna Police, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
To support the program's expansion, the Board voted to approve the purchase of eight additional Vapor Wake canines, hire corresponding handlers, and purchase the necessary equipment.
Cobb County Schools Salute Our Veterans
Earlier this week, every school across the district saluted and honored our nation’s veterans. Generations of veterans filled Cobb County Schools, where students lined the hallways waving flags, thanking them for their service. Others hosted Veterans Day performances featuring patriotic songs. It was an especially touching day for one Cobb family. Master Sgt. Osei Gore, who was deployed in Iraq for six months, returned home to surprise his 4th-grade son at Kemp Elementary School and his 7th-grade son at Lost Mountain Middle.
Board Recognitions
National Technology Student Association Winner – Computer Aided Design – Charles Aquino, Durham Middle School
Cobb STEAM Certification – South Cobb Early Learning Center
Cobb STEAM Certification – Ford Elementary School
Cobb STEM Certification – Betty Gray Middle School
Cognia STEM Certification – Walton High School
USDA Turnip the Beet – Quality Summer Meals Award – Birney Elementary School, Sandra Arreola; King Springs Elementary School, Melissa Turner; Mt. Bethel Elementary School, Veronica Stephens; Cooper Middle School, Dannett Bourgolly; and Wheeler High School, Lynette Moore – Food and Nutrition Services
Georgia Farm to School Award – Executive Director Emily Hanlin and District Chef Rian McDonald – Food and Nutrition Services
