Cobb Schools Special Accreditation Review Slated For August

COBB COUNTY, GA — After almost two months, the accrediting body of the Cobb County School District has set a date for what Superintendent Chris Ragsdale previously called an "unusual" special review of the district.

The review comes after Cognia, the accrediting agency, received about 50 complaints from the community and a letter from three CCSD board members — Charisse Davis, Jaha Howard and Leroy "Tre" Hutchins — in January requesting an investigation due to "numerous points of conflict over the last two years," the letter reads.

The district first announced the news of the special review April 22. Since then, CCSD has been working with Cognia staff to establish a timeline and process for the review, the district said in a news release.

The special review is scheduled for Aug. 15-18. It will involve a presentation of evidence concerning four specific Cognia standards related to "the governing authority," "equitable opportunities" and "student performance," which CCSD officials said Cognia specifically cited as areas of focus.

The review will also involve interviews between Cognia and board members, Ragsdale, district staff, principals, teachers and community members.

"As the District prepares for the 2021-2022 school year, staff has already spent more than 600 hours preparing for the review and continues to fully prepare and comply with Cognia’s process," the release said. "The Cobb County School District believes that transparency in this process is important and will update our community again as new information becomes available in August."

Cognia CEO Mark Elgart told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that a report will be compiled 30-60 days after the on-site visit, then given to the district and released to the public. Cognia will then follow up with CCSD within three to six months after the report is released to see how progress is going in terms of correcting any potential problems.

You can view correspondence between Cognia, the district and board members here.

Read more: Cobb Schools To Undergo 'Unusual' Review By Accrediting Body