Cobb School Leaders Inspired for New School Year

While students are still enjoying their summer break, Cobb County Schools officials have already kicked off the new school year. This is Superintendent Chris Ragsdale’s 10th year leading the annual kickoff event as superintendent of Georgia’s second-largest school district.

When Superintendent Ragsdale took office, Cobb teachers earned less than the average teacher in metro Atlanta. Today, Cobb teachers are the highest paid in the state, Cobb County schools are fully staffed, and Cobb students outperform their peers.

“My philosophy is to invest in the team,” Superintendent Ragsdale said.

Over the past decade, Cobb teacher pay raises have increased by more than 50 percent thanks to historic and healthy raises recommended by Superintendent Ragsdale and approved by the Cobb County School Board.

“All the praise for the superintendent is not just words. The results are proof. We keep our staff, they are happy in their jobs and the success of our students is proof that his philosophy and decisions have always been the right ones,” said board chair Randy Scamihorn.

Former board members, including a retired Georgia state senator, joined Cobb County school leaders at the kickoff event to congratulate Superintendent Ragsdale and thank him for his service.

Retired Georgia State Senator Lindsey Tippins praised Superintendent Ragsdale for his decisive leadership, community outreach and the stability he brought to the nation’s 23rd largest school district.

Georgia Board of Education member Scott Sweeney praised Superintendent Ragsdale for doing “what’s right” for students.

In his address to a room full of school leaders, Superintendent Ragsdale highlighted the district’s priorities that contribute to student success:

• Make sure Cobb is the best place to teach, lead and learn.
• Simplifying our teaching and learning foundations to prepare us for innovation.
• Use data to make decisions.

An example of academic success was brought to the stage to inspire Cobb’s veteran educators. Cobb County Schools graduate Kevin Paul Scott returned to Harrison High School, where he had been a student, to encourage educators to stay focused on their purpose and why they are in the profession.

Randy Scamihorn, Chairman of the Board referred to veteran teachers who inspired him when he was a new teacher. One such teacher leader, Dr. Liss Maynardwho became a longtime principal, still serves Cobb students as assistant superintendent of South Side Elementary Schools.

As an inspiring finale to kick off the 2024-25 school year, Superintendent Ragsdale surprised educators with a piano performance on stage.