With the referendum on Ed-SPLOST VI scheduled for November 2, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale took time to update the Board on construction project totals for Ed-SPLOST I-V broken down by Board post. Ed-SPLOST Performance Audits for 1-V are available for review on the website here. 

“I appreciate the Superintendent’s presentation on Ed-SPLOST funds. In July, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Ed-SPLOST VI contract, which is now in the hands of the voters. I encourage the community to review Ed-SPLOST projects proposed for their schools,” said Board Chair Randy Scamihorn. 

During the meeting, Board members also learned why Cobb Schools continues to rank as one of the best places to work in all of Georgia. Some of the credit goes to the Cobb Schools Human Resources Department and the work they do to recruit, hire, and retain highly qualified educators and staff who are best capable of supporting student success in Cobb. 

Chief Human Resources Officer Keeli Bowen briefed the Board members on the work of her team, which recently was recognized by the Georgia Association of School Personnel and Administrators for recruitment and employee benefits. 

The Human Resources team conducts an average of 1,500 hiring actions each year, including new hires, re-hires, re-elect, and promotions. Over the past year, they have processed more than 10,000 applicants. The actual number of applications is far more significant since many applicants submit applications for multiple positions. 

Ms. Bowen explained that the District’s compensation program is designed to not only attract applicants but also retain staff. (Cobb Schools retention rate is above 97% for contracted employees.) 

“Since 2014, under the leadership of Superintendent Ragsdale, eligible employees have seen salary growth to include full step raises each year and percentage raises ranging from 2% to the historic 8% given in 2019. More recently, even during the midst of a pandemic, Superintendent Ragsdale continues to remain committed to our employees by implementing yet another 4 to 8.6% raise for every non-temporary staff member. This identifies Cobb team members as receiving one of the highest pay raises for K-12 educators in the metro Atlanta area this year,” Ms. Bowen explained.

Cobb Schools has the highest salary at the Masters, or T-5 level, step 10 with 31% more than the state rate. The District also has the highest salary at the Specialist, or T-6 level, step 20, and the Doctorate, or T-7 level at the top step, which is 35% more than the state rate. For teachers on a T4, Cobb again ranks first. 

“We have high-quality teachers who deliver a world-class education to our students. As Forbes has noted three years in a row, Cobb Schools is one of the best places to work in Georgia, and our compensation and benefits are part of the reason we are able to hire and keep the best educators,” said Superintendent Chris Ragsdale. 

In other Board business, Board members voted to approve a resolution condemning “antisemitism, racism, and hatred in all its forms.” The vote was a continuation of discussions at the September Board meeting when Superintendent Ragsdale made it very clear that all hate speech, including anti-Semitic speech, will not be tolerated. During the evening meeting, Mr. Scamihorn invited Mr. Hershel Greenblat, a survivor of the Holocaust, to address the Board about the impacts of antisemitism. As part of the Board recognitions for October, the Board and Superintendent celebrated members of the Cobb Schools Transportation Department ahead of National School Bus Safety Week and Cobb Schools Bus Driver Appreciation Week scheduled for October 18-22.