Cobb County School District

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You have new messages (last change).
Cobb County School District
A Community With A Passion For Learning
Location
Marietta, Georgia, United States
Website
http://www.cobbk12.org
Information
Superintendent Fred Sanderson
Grades Pre-K - 12
Enrollment 106,163 (October 2006)

The Cobb County School District is the county government agency which operates public schools in Cobb County. It is the second largest school system in Georgia and among the largest in the United States, with a current enrollment of 106,163. Its student population grows by nearly 2,000 each year, and with more than 14,000 full-time employees, nearly 8,700 of whom are classroom teachers and other certified personnel, the district is the county’s largest employer. All Cobb County schools are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the district is among the first to have earned district-wide accreditation. Also all Cobb County School District Employees E-mail addresses are Firstname.Lastname@cobbk12.org.

The current Superintendent is Mr. Fred Sanderson.


Contents

[edit] Other Leaders

[edit] Area Asst Superintendents

  • Mr. Philip Lanoue, Area 1
  • Mr. Dale Gaddis, Area 2
  • Ms. Alice Stouder, Area 3
  • Ms. Lynda Martin, Area 4
  • Mr. James Carter Jr. , Area 5
  • Mr. Randy Bynum, Area 6

[edit] Other

  • Ms. Jill Kaina, Chief School Leadership Officer
  • Mr. Tony L Melton, Policy and Planning
  • Ms. Janet Peeler, Sped Services
  • Ms. Alisa Mornignstar, Director of Procurement Services
  • Dr. Judy Gilliam, Assistant Superintendent Cirriculum
  • Dr. Ann Robbins, Director of Student Support
  • Mr. Robert Morales, Chief Financial Officer
  • Mr. Jay Dillon, Director of Communications
  • Mr. J. Randall Reece, Ed.D., Chief Human Resources Officer
  • Mr. James D. Arrowood, Director of public safety
  • Mr. Gordon Pritz, Associate Superintendent
  • Mr. Chris Ragsdale, Director of technology
  • Mr. Larry Wall, Construction director
  • Ms. Cynthia Downs, Food/Nutritional Services Director
  • Ms. Carroll Pitts, Transportation Services Director
  • Mr. Glen Brown, SPOLST Accountability Manager
  • Ms. Bonnie Garrett, Facility Use Coordinator
  • Mr. James Carlson, Maintenance Services Executive Director
  • Mr. Buddy Pullen, Auxiliary Services Executive Director
  • Mr. Dennis Campbell, planning director
  • Mr. Charles Sprayberry, Project Services director
  • Ms. Debby Jones, County Athletic Director

[edit] Board of Education

As a body created under provisions of the Constitution of the State of Georgia, the Cobb County Board of Education has full authority to control and manage the public schools within the county, excluding any independent school system now in existence within the county.

Current members are:

  • Mr. Lindsey Tippins, Chairman
  • Dr. John Abraham
  • Ms. Holli Cash
  • Dr. John Crooks
  • Ms. Betty Gray
  • Mr. Johnny Johnson
  • Dr. Teresa Plenge

[edit] List of schools

[edit] Elementary Schools

  • Acworth (2-5) (Ms. Sandy Cox) [[1]]
  • Addison (Ms. Genie Byrd) [[2]]
  • Argyle (Ms. Judy Hansard) [[3]]
  • Austell Intermediate ( 2-5) (Mr. Clint Terza) [[4]]
  • Austell Primary (K-1) (Ms. Betty Jo Jackson) [[5]]
  • Baker (Dr. Phyllis Jones) [[6]]
  • Bells Ferry (Ms. Ladonna Starnes) [[7]]
  • Belmont Hills (Ms. Terry Floyd) [[8]]
  • Big Shanty (Ms. Diane Hudson) [[9]]
  • Birney (Ms. Laura Kelley) [[10]]
  • Blackwell (Ms. Linda Keeney) [[11]]
  • Brown (Mr. Brett Ward) [[12]]
  • Brumby Intermediate (3-5) (Mr. Joshua Morreale) [[13]]
  • Brumby Primary (K-2) (Ms. Reisha McKinney) [[14]]
  • Bryant Intermediate (3-5) (Ms. Alfreda Williams) [[15]]
  • Bryant Primary (K-2) (Ms. Mary K. Widener) [[16]]
  • Bullard (Ms. Sharon Hardin) [[17]]
  • Chalker (Mr. Bill Scott) [[18]]
  • Cheatham Hill (Ms. Belinda Walters-Brazile) [[19]]
  • Clarkdale (Ms. Marjorie Bickerstaff) [[20]]
  • Clay (Ms. Florence Williams) [[21]]
  • Compton (Ms. Bonnie Little) [[22]]
  • Davis (Ms. Carole Brink) [[23]]
  • Dowell (Dr. Jami Frost) [[24]]
  • Due West (Dr. Carla Jones) [[25]]
  • East Side (Ms. Elizabeth Mavity) [[26]]
  • Eastvalley (Ms. Althea Singletary) [[27]]
  • Fair Oaks (Mr. Pete Robertson)
  • Ford (Ms. Peggy Pepper)
  • Frey (Ms. Joyce Piket)
  • Garrison Mill (Ms. Margaret Wilson)
  • Green Acres (Mr. David Pearce)
  • Harmony Leland (Ms. Hermia Deveaux)
  • Hayes (Ms. Reba Bachrach)
  • Hollydale (Ms. Carolyn Mills)
  • Kemp (Ms. Kristina Mason)
  • Kennesaw (Dr. Kathie Elliott)
  • Kennesaw Charter (Mr. Shawn Black)
  • Kincaid (Ms. Toni Benton)
  • King Springs (Mr. Walter Gordon)
  • LaBelle (Ms. Lisa Hogan)
  • Lewis (Ms. Shelia Chesser)
  • Mableton (Ms. Kym Eisgruber)
  • McCall (K-1) (Ms. Gail Phillips)
  • Milford (Ms. Denise Feezor)
  • Mount Bethel (Ms. Robin Lattizori)
  • Mountain View (Ms. Angela Huff)
  • Murdock (Ms. Natalie Richman)
  • Nicholson (Ms. Lynn McWhorter)
  • Nickajack (Ms. Beverly Parks)
  • Norton Park (Dr. Henry Atwater)
  • Pickett's Mill (Opening 2008)
  • Pitner (Ms. Statia Noles)
  • Powder Springs (Ms. Debra Wilson)
  • Powers Ferry (Dr. Joan Mills)
  • Riverside Intermediate (2-5) (Ms. Selena Andrews)
  • Riverside Primary (K-1) (Dr. Doris Billups-McClure)
  • Rocky Mount (Ms. Beth Peery)
  • Russell (Ms. Nancy Dipetrillo)
  • Sanders Intermediate (3-5) (Ms. Pamela Dingle)
  • Sanders Primary (K-2) (Ms. Patricia Thomas)
  • Shallowford Falls (Dr. Doreen Griffeth)
  • Sky View (Ms. Cynthia Cutler)
  • Sope Creek (Dr. Karen Looft)
  • Still (Dr. Gloria Navarro)
  • Teasley (Ms. Joanne Robblee)
  • Timber Ridge (Dr. Tracie Doe)
  • Tritt (Dr. Rebecca Rutledge)
  • Varner (Ms. Martha Whalen)
  • Vaughan (Ms. Barbara Swinney)

[edit] Middle schools

  • Awtrey (Ms. Erin Barnett)[[28]]
  • Barber (Ms. Lisa Williams) [[29]]
  • Campbell (Ms. Lynne Hutnik) [[30]]
  • Cooper (Ms. Peggy Martin) [[31]]
  • Daniell (Ms. Merlie Heflin)[[32]]
  • Dickerson (Dr. Kevin Daniel) [[33]]
  • Dodgen (Mr. James Snell)[[34]]
  • Durham (Dr. Linda S. Clark) [[35]]
  • East Cobb (Mr. David Chiprany- Proud Principal)[[36]]
  • Floyd (Dr. Lawrence Bynum Sr.)[[37]]
  • Garrett (Dr. Phillip Page)[[38]]
  • Griffin (Mr. Daryll R. York)[[39]]
  • Hightower Trail (Dr. Hilda Wilkins)[[40]]
  • Lindley (Mr. John McCrary)[[41]]
  • Lost Mountain (Dr. Terry Poor)[[42]]
  • Lovinggood (Ms. Zinita Perkins)[[43]]
  • Mabry (Dr. Tim Tyason)[[44]]
  • McCleskey (Dr. Jerry Dority)[[45]]
  • McClure (Ms. Susan Wing)[[46]]
  • Palmer middle (Dr. Geraldine Ray) [[47]]
  • Pine Mountain (Dr. Ivia Redmond)[[48]]
  • Simpson (Ms. Sharon Jordan)[[49]]
  • Smitha (Ms. Sharon Tucker)[[50]]
  • Tapp (Ms. Denise McGee)[[51]]

[edit] High schools

A PDF of the high school attendance zoning is located here.

  • The area around Kell, Walton, Lassiter, Wheeler, Sprayberry, and Pope is considered "The EC" (short for East Cobb) as a spoof off of the TV show "The OC," due to the growing amount of money in the area.

[edit] Special schools

  • Adult Education Center (Mr. Tommy Farr) [[68]]
  • Central Alternative Center (Ms. Cherry Gibson) [[69]]
  • H.A.V.E.N. Academy (Ms. Marainne Widner) [[70]]
  • Oakwood Open Campus High School (Mr. Rusty Hill) [[71]]
  • Transitional Learning Center (Ms. Cherry Gibson) [[72]]
  • Title 1 (Mr. Constance Carter) [[73]]
  • Pre-K (Mr. Yonnie Pope) [[74]]
  • Kennesaw Charter (Mr. Shawn Black) [[75]]
  • Intl. Welcome Center (Dr. Gregory Ewing) ( [[76]]
  • Homeless Ed. Program (Ms. Parker,Ms. Degioanni) [[77]]
  • Home Study Program (Ms. Barbara Hancock) [[78]]
  • Fitzhugh Lee Center (Ms. Marianne Widner) [[79]]
  • ehigh School [[80]]
  • Performance Learning Center (Ms. Jaqcilyn Whitt) [[81]]

[edit] High school magnet programs

  • Campbell High School International Baccalaureate Program (Ms. Judy Romanchuk) [[82]]
  • Kennesaw Mountain High School Academy of Mathematics, Science and Technology ( Dr. Mimi Dyer) [[83]]
  • North Cobb School for International Studies (Ms. Trudy Delhey) [[84]]
  • Pebblebrook High School Center for Excellence in the Performing Arts (Mr. Frank Timmerman) [[85]]
  • The Academy of Mathematics and Medical Sciences at South Cobb High School (Mr. Ryan Fuller)[[86]]
  • Wheeler High School Center for Advanced Studies in Science, Mathematics and Technology (Mr. Gregg Farmer) [[87]]

[edit] Recent controversies

[edit] Power to Learn Laptop Initiative

In 2005, the District implemented a technology initiative called Power to Learn, which would supply individual laptop computers to students for use in classroom. The initiative was to be initially funded by a portion of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds approved by Cobb voters in 2003 and earmarked for technology improvements. The first of three proposed phases of the initiative was approved by the Board of Education in April 2005, authorizing purchase of Apple laptops for all teachers, upgrades of middle school business labs, and the establishment of four high school pilot sites to test and evaluate individual student laptop use.

Former county commissioner Joseph "Butch" Thompson filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education on May 31, 2005. The lawsuit charged that Cobb voters did not specifically authorize the program in the 2003 SPLOST vote. On July 29, 2005, Superior Court Judge S. Lark Ingram mandated the Board of Education to use technology funds as specified in SPLOST II and ordered a permanent injunction to halt the Power to Learn initiative. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted Ingram, "The ruling had nothing to do with the merits of the program. But fair notice of such use was not given to the public when the referendum for [the sales tax] was held.'" Board chair Kathleen Johnstone announced on Aug. 1 that the laptop program "was no longer an option." The Board voted on August 25, 2005 to appeal the ruling, which was thrown out by the Georgia Supreme Court.

[edit] Supt. Redden Resigns

The Board of Education hired New York-based auditing firm Kessler International in July 2005 to investigate the bidding process for the initiative, amidst allegations that the bidding process that selected Apple Computer as supplier for the initiative violated state law. The Board received the Kessler report on August 14, 2005. The report indicated flaws in the selection process that were not in line with state procurement policies. Superintendent Gen. Joseph Redden offered a page-by-page rebuttal of the audit report to the Board on August 17, 2005. Redden announced his resignation on August 24, 2005.

Upon the request of the Board of Education, Cobb District Attorney Pat Head was granted an order on October 6, 2005 to empanel a special grand jury to investigate the bidding process. The investigation is ongoing.


[edit] Evolution sticker debate

In 2001, the Cobb County Board of Education adopted a updated science curriculum that brought the district into compliance with statewide requirements. Among the updates included expanded studies of the theory of evolution. A group of community members, organized by parent Marjorie Rogers, submitted a petition objecting to evolution being taught "as fact, rather than theory." On March 28, 2002, the Board of Education voted to place a sticker in all science textbooks referencing the origins of life, which stated:

"This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered."

Cobb parent and activist Jeffrey Selman and four other parents represented by the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the Board, alleging that the stickers violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. “It’s like saying everything that follows this sticker isn’t true,'’ Selman told the Associated Press in 2004.

The case went to trial at U.S. District Court in Atlanta on November 8, 2004. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution covered the trial, which included testimony from:

  • Joseph Redden, Superintendent
  • Lindsey Tippins, chairman, Cobb County Board of Education
  • Jeffrey Selman, one of the Cobb County parents suing to get the stickers removed.
  • Carlos Moreno, Emory University professor who organized petition protesting the disclaimer stickers
  • Dr. Teresa Plenge, Cobb County Board of Education member
  • Betty Gray, Cobb County Board of Education member
  • Marjorie Rogers, Cobb County parent who organized initial petition that led to the disclaimers in 2002
  • Dr. Wes McCoy, North Cobb High School science chairman
  • Kenneth Miller, Brown University professor and author of Biology textbook adopted by Cobb
  • Laura Searcy, Cobb County Board of Education member


On January 13, 2005, Judge Clarence Cooper declared the disclaimer stickers unconstitutional and ordered immediate removal of the sticker. Cooper's ruling said:

“Adopted by the school board, funded by the money of taxpayers, and inserted by school personnel, the sticker conveys an impermissible message of endorsement and tells some citizens that they are political outsiders while telling others they are political insiders,” Cooper wrote in a 44-page decision. The stickers send “a message that the school board agrees with the beliefs of Christian fundamentalists and creationists,” Cooper said. “The school board has effectively improperly entangled itself with religion by appearing to take a position. Therefore, the sticker must be removed from all of the textbooks into which it has been placed.”

The Cobb County Board of Education voted to appeal the ruling on January 17, 2005. Meanwhile, in May 2005, the District began compliance with Cooper's ruling by removing the stickers from the science textbooks. The appeal was filed in April 2005 to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel heard oral arguments in December 2005. In a May 2006 ruling, the court remanded the case to the District Court for clarification of the evidentiary record.

In December 2006, the Cobb County Board of Education announced a settlement in the lawsuit. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the Board agreed not to take out or edit materials on evolution in textbooks and to pay $166,659 toward the plaintiffs' legal fees.

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../c/o/b/Cobb_County_School_District_6bce.html"