By: L. Cramer
In the 2024 election, the Cobb County School Board remained the sole Republican-run government entity in the county which has the liberals irritated. The Republicans of the Cobb County School Board have proven time and again that their only concern is the education of the children of the county and not political activism, which is the Democrat’s modus operandi. Now that the election is over, the heat is turning up for the school board, particularly Superintendent Chris Ragsdale who is under fire for the outlandish action of keeping the children of Cobb County Schools safe – how dare he!
The Marietta Daily Journal reported last week that Ragsdale told his critics to “take a break” from their constant attacks against him and other Republicans who are simply trying to do their jobs. Ragsdale is quoted as saying, “perhaps you can take a break from the political rhetoric and false allegations just for a bit, and instead support teachers, principals and educators in performing the duties Cobb County expects of us, providing its children with a world class education in a safe environment.”
But if we’ve learned anything during this election cycle, it’s that the left’s barrage of character assassinations, accusations and flat out lies will only intensify because they did not get exactly what they wanted – complete control of Cobb County. I wonder if they will also throw temper tantrums in Wal-Mart because Mommy wouldn’t buy them a candy bar.
After a string of incidents where students either brought or used a firearm on school grounds (schools are designated gun free zones for those who don’t know) the parents of Cobb County want to ensure their children are safe. In October, the board announced a partnership with a private security group, Servius, who will work for the school district to ensure the safety of the children using “16 counterintelligence-informed indicators” and of course the left is calling foul. Because even keeping children safe is a polarizing idea to Democrats – apparently.
Because the Servius method will include indicators in mental health, online exploitation, gang activity, bullying and other things, State Rep. David Wilkerson, D-Powder Springs is upset that independent crime could accidentally be mislabeled as gang activity resulting in profiling. Yes, this is actually what this elected official is worried about – crime being mislabeled. Not the crime itself, of course, because that would be silly.
In response, Ragsdale had this to say: “Some critics, knowing little to nothing about our efforts, have nonetheless openly criticized them. They have referred to this [partnership with Servius] as some type of secret police, incorrectly suggesting students will be profiled and even harassed.”
You see, the board hasn’t openly relayed the private security firm’s plans to keep the kids of Cobb County Schools safe because, if they did then the kids wouldn’t be safe – imagine that. In an act of pure irony, the Democrats of Cobb County are now calling for “transparency” of the security plan in order to reassure parents that they have nothing to worry about – while at the same time expressing their desire that incidents such as violence in schools don’t happen at all.
Well, I hate to break it to you Democrats but you can’t have it both ways so please stop talking out of both sides of your mouth. It seems that instead of bringing solutions the Cobb County Democrats only want to criticize and cry foul at those who try to fix the problem.
Wilkerson further accused the district of not complying with state law when they entered into the partnership citing that the school board didn’t vote to approve the new vendor. But it would seem that the board approval is only needed on purchases over $200,000 and the partnership with Servius is less than that – a swing and a miss, Wilkerson.
The school district isn’t taking these attacks lying down, however, and a district spokesperson told the Marietta Daily Journal that “politically motivated attacks, without facts, aren’t uncommon for Mr. Wilkerson. Accusing the superintendent of inappropriate behavior is his latest round of uniformed sour grapes.”
Further, the superintendent had this to say: “That is an old but frequent allegation, one repeatedly and consistently proven untrue by multiple state audits and frivolous complaints,” Ragsdale said.
Well, it looks like the election honeymoon is over and we’re back to politics as usual in Cobb.
