In March of last year, the Cobb County Board of Education approved a proposal from Superintendent Chris Ragsdale to build a $50 million multi-purpose facility. During the work session where the board approved the proposal, Ragsdale said the facility would mostly be used for academic purpouses. Still, he later cited graduations as “the most important […]
Author Archives: Christina Norris
Christina Norris, 22, is a newswriter, photographer, and content creator. Norris graduated from DeKalb School of the Arts and currently attends Georgia State University. She has a major in Journalism and a minor in Film and Media. Christina enjoys writing about current events and speaking about her life experiences. Ultimately, she aims to spread a message of equality through her work.
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Local metro districts prioritize teacher raises, reading programs, opening new schools and more
Several school districts in the metro Atlanta area are finalizing their FY2025 budgets now. Here are the priorities for each district’s upcoming budget. Fulton County Schools The Fulton County School Board approved the tentative budget during a board meeting on May 15. Marvin Dereef, Fulton’s Chief Financial Officer, presented the budget for the board’s approval. […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
Cobb County parents continue critiquing the building of $50 million multi-purpose facility
Cobb County Schools will move forward with building a multi-purpose facility despite concerns from the community. In December 2023, the Cobb County Board of Education unanimously approved the purchase of approximately 1.31 acres of land at Marietta, GA for $3 million. This land is located next to the district’s central office and is intended to […]
Posted inCommunity
Emory University relocates commencement ceremony after- Pro-Palestinian protests on campus
College students across the United States are protesting the occupation of Palestinian territory by Israeli forces. Last week Emory University became one of the sights to see student resistance. On April 25th, protestors in Atlanta established an encampment on Emory’s campus to demand the university divestment from Israel and Cop City, a police and fire […]
Posted inUncategorized
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signs House and Senate bills in press conference
On Tuesday, Gov. Brian Kemp signed several bills at a press conference that focused on school choice, property disposal, school supplies for teachers, social media, and more. Kemp stood alongside a large group of people outside the Georgia Department of Education who awaited the signing. Lieutenant Gov. of Georgia Burt Jones welcomed Kemp, emphasizing how […]
Posted inClayton County Schools
7 Pillars Career Academy to close after five years of operation
7 Pillars Career Academy, a charter school serving middle and high school students in Clayton County, is closing. In a letter from Clayton County Schools, they announced to the school’s families that the 7 Pillars Career Academy will close its doors permanently on June 30. On October 30, 2023, the Clayton County Public School (CCPS) […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Superintendent Horton highlights “being disruptive for excellence” in Dekalb County Schools State of the District
“What are you doing for others?” was the question from the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that Dekalb County Schools (DCSD) Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton highlighted at this year’s DCSD State of the District. Last Thursday, the District held its State of the District which was streamed on Facebook Live. After Horton’s daughter Zoey […]
Posted inUncategorized
Georgia General Assembly introduces bill to establish school supplies for educators program
If the General Assembly passes Senate Bill 464, the Georgia Senate could give educators the funds needed for classrooms. Last week, the Georgia General Assembly introduced Senate Bill 464, which could require the state’s Board of Education to establish a School Supplies For Educators Program. The program would work with the State School Superintendent […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia House Subcommittee discusses education initiatives and budget adjustments in recent meeting
The Georgia House Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee held a meeting late last week for the 2025 Budget Hearing. The Subcommittee made several agency adjustments to the budget, including health insurance, retirement systems, DLs, and insurance. The most notable change is a formula growth of $2.256 million in USG’s teaching program. Georgia MATCH Lynne Riley, President […]
Posted inGeorgia House
Georgia General Assembly introduces bill surrounding discussing gender in classrooms
On February 16 the Georgia General Assembly introduced Senate Bill 88 a bill that would prevent teachers from discussing gender in classrooms under certain circumstances. Sponsored by Sen. Carden Summers it was brought before the chamber’s committee on education and youth. According to a report by WABE, Senator Carden Summers (R) sponsored the bill, saying, […]
Posted inUncategorized
Working group on early childhood education sends report of recommendations
The Working Group on Early Childhood Education finalized a report of recommendations in January to improve the state-funded Pre-K program in Georgia. State Representative Jon Burns established the Group to focus on issues surrounding the access and effectiveness of the program. He selected Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones as Chair of the working group and […]
Posted inGeorgia News
Georgia General Assembly introduces bill to require defibrillators in schools
The Georgia General Assembly introduced House Bill 874, which could require defibrillators in all schools on January 12th. Its first summary reads as follows: “A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Part 3 of Article 16 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, so […]
Posted inGeorgia Politics
Georgia Senate Committee on Education & Youth passes bills during meeting
The Georgia Senate Committee held its Education & Youth Committee Meeting at 2:30 p.m. yesterday. During the brief meeting, the committee passed two bills. The first was SB 208, which aims to provide education fees. The bill’s First Reader Summary reads, “To amend Chapter 71 of Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Mentions Education In State of The State Address
Today, Gov. Brian Kemp delivered his State of the State Address at the Georgia Capitol Museum. At the beginning of the address, Kemp promised to “put hard work and Georgians first,” fund priorities like education, public safety, and healthcare, and keep the government “efficient, responsible, and accountable.” During the address, Kemp mentioned the Georgia Match […]
Posted inClayton County Schools
How metro-Atlanta school districts are helping students experiencing homelessness
Students experiencing homelessness have local school districts being creative on how to best support them with resources. Tamika Smith was in between homes before she recently moved to Georgia to live with her family. While In Georgia, she received a phone call from Clayton County’s Homeless Education Team to come pick up some shoes for […]
Posted inAnti Racism
Local historians call out “whitewashing of Black History” in school curriculums
When Dr. Shana Hunt graduated from high school and attended Paine College in Agusta Georgia, she thought she was “pretty together” with her blackness and understanding of Black history. However, learning about all the historical achievements of Black people she didn’t know blew her mind. She didn’t know about the detailed works of Zora Neale […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools Adopts Final Version of FY2024 Budget
The Atlanta Board of Education approved the final version of Atlanta Public School’s (APS) FY2024 Budget in a monthly board meeting on June 5. The start of the meeting included a work session with a presentation of the final recommendation of the budget by Dr. Lisa Bracken, APS’s Cheif Financial Officer. Bracken recognized several updates […]
Posted inCobb County Schools
Cobb County parents critique Board of Education’s approval of $50 million multi-purpose facility
The Cobb County Board of Education approved a proposal from Superintendent Chris Ragsdale to build a $50 million multi-purpose facility during a work session on March 23. In the session, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said the facility would mostly be used for academic purposes such as science fairs, fine arts presentations, robotic competitions, Career, Technical and […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Cobb Fulton and APS schools propose pay raises for employees in the 2023-2024 budgets
As Cobb County Schools, Fulton County Schools, and Atlanta Public Schools (APS)work to adopt their tentative 2023-2024 budgets, employee pay raises are at the front of any compensation talks. The Cobb County school board presented its tentative budget for 2024 on April 13. The budget includes a 7.5% pay raise for all non-temporary employees. It […]
Posted inDekalb County Schools
Dekalb County Schools’ sole superintendent finalist answers questions and critiques at town hall
By: Christina Norris Last Tuesday, The Dekalb County School Board announced three town halls for parents, students, and stakeholders to get to know Dr. Devon Horton, the sole finalist for its superintendent role. The Board held the town halls at Chamblee High School, Dr. Ronald E. McNair Middle School, and the Administrative & Instructional Complex. […]
Posted inCommunity
Georgia schools close due to severe weather
By: Christina Norris Several schools in Georgia are either closing or delaying start times this week due to its heavy rains and flash flooding. The storms produced damage in areas east and west of Atlanta last Sunday. The school districts that were affected released statements announcing their close or delay. An “Important Message” on Harris […]
Posted inGeorgia Department of Education
Georgia House Education Policy Subcommittee passes $6,000+ voucher bill
The Georgia House of Representatives Education Policy Subcommittee voted to pass SB 233, also known as “The Georgia Promise Scholarship Act,” in an Education Policy Subcommittee Meeting. According to Senator and author of the bill Greg Dolezal, this bill will give students and parents more options regarding where they receive their education. “What this bill […]
Posted inAtlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools offers telehealth services to students
This year, Atlanta Public Schools spent $500,000 in its partnership with Hazel Health to provide healthcare services for its students at no cost to families. A press release from Hazel Health regarding the partnership reads, “A school health representative can initiate a video visit with a Hazel health care provider while your child is at […]
Posted inFulton County Schools
Former Fulton County Schools board member to serve as Georgia School Board Association development specialist
Julia Bernath, former president of the Fulton County Board of Education, is stepping into the Board Development Specialist role for the Georgia School Boards Association. Bernath announced her new position in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “I am excited to share that I’m starting a new position as Board Development Specialist with the Georgia School […]