At the January 16, 2025, meeting of the Cobb County Board of Education, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale announced the removal of two additional books from the district’s libraries due to inappropriate content. This decision follows previous actions aimed at protecting students from materials deemed unsuitable for minors. The books in question contained graphic images, descriptions, and drawings that were determined to be too explicit for public school students.
Cobb County Personal pointed out that the two books removed (Triangles by Ellen Hopkins and Stole Life by Jaycee Dugard) could still be found on-line or maybe a public library.
In his statement, Ragsdale emphasized that the removal was not a judgment of the authors, the themes, or the literary value of the books. Rather, it was a decision based on age-appropriate guidelines, which are vital for maintaining a safe learning environment.
“It is the decision of a parent, not a school district, to determine when their child is ready for certain material,” Ragsdale said.
Ragsdale also drew attention to the reality of human trafficking, a growing issue in Cobb County. Referring to a report from Georgia Cares, a state organization working to combat child trafficking, Ragsdale pointed out that nearly 91% of children involved in human trafficking were enrolled in public schools at the time of their exploitation. He made clear that Cobb County will not be complicit in exposing students to harmful content.
Despite opposition from some members of the community, Ragsdale reiterated his stance against the sexualization of children, saying, “We cannot allow the sexualization of children to become normalized.”
The decision to remove these books is part of the district’s ongoing commitment to protect students from inappropriate content.