Cobb County, July 22, 2025

News Summary

The Cobb County School Board has voted 4-3 to discontinue livestreaming public comments during their meetings. The decision has been divisive, with Republican members in support and Democrats opposing it. Superintendent Chris Ragsdale stated that the change is aimed at protecting individuals from online backlash, despite criticisms stating it undermines transparency and accountability. Many community members voiced their concerns, pointing out that other metro Atlanta districts still allow livestreaming. The policy change also includes stricter regulations on public comments regarding identifiable school district employees.

Cobb County School Board Votes to End Livestreaming of Public Comments in Meetings

The Cobb County School Board has voted 4-3 to discontinue the practice of livestreaming public comments made during their meetings. The decision, passed along party lines, sees Republican board members supporting the change while Democrats oppose it.

Superintendent Chris Ragsdale has asserted that the policy’s primary aim is to protect individuals from potential online ridicule, abuse, and doxing. Although individuals will still have the opportunity to attend school board meetings and present their comments, these remarks will no longer be broadcast online.

This policy adjustment has sparked significant criticism from various stakeholders, including parents and board members, who argue it undermines the transparency and accountability of the board’s operations. Opponents have expressed concerns that the removal of livestreaming could damage the trust between the school board and the community it serves.

Among the critics, Dr. Parin Chheda characterized the board’s decision as a form of authoritarianism, while Stephanie Peterson, a parent, argued that maintaining a record of public comments is essential for transparency and fostering community engagement. The inability to livestream comments has raised fears that it may hinder public participation in the meetings as well.

Moreover, it has been noted that most other metro Atlanta school districts continue to broadcast public comments, which adds further weight to the argument for maintaining transparency in Cobb County. Ragsdale has cited legal concerns as a rationale for the decision, referring to previous incidents involving defamatory or slanderous comments made during livestreamed sessions that required interruptions and edits in the recordings.

Richard T. Griffiths, a representative from the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, has criticized Ragsdale’s legal claims, labeling them as a “red herring,” suggesting they serve as misdirection to justify the policy change. At a recent meeting, fifteen individuals, including community members and a state representative, voiced their opposition to the shift in policy.

The new policy also now prohibits public comments that could be tortious, slanderous, or defamatory toward identifiable school district employees. This amendment brings an additional layer of restrictions that the previous policy did not encompass.

Georgia state legislation mandates at least one public comment session per school board meeting, with Cobb County providing two opportunities for public input. The recent changes are part of a broader series of modifications regarding public engagement, which also includes prior restrictions on speaking times and modifications to sign-up procedures for speakers.

The ongoing litigation surrounding the public’s access to comments adds another layer of complexity to the controversial nature of this policy change. The direction taken by the Cobb County School Board highlights the challenges involved in balancing public safety with the principles of open governance.

Key Points of the Decision

• Vote was split along party lines: 4-3.
• Policy change aims to enhance safety for individuals speaking at meetings.
• Limitation of livestreaming public comments is causing concern over reduced transparency.
• Legal issues cited as reasons for the change by Superintendent.
• Opposition includes parents, board members, and advocacy groups emphasizing the importance of accountability.

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Additional Resources

• WSB TV
• Axios
• Atlanta News First
• 11Alive
• Cobb County Courier
• Wikipedia: School Board
• Google Search: Cobb County School Board
• Google Scholar: Cobb County School Board
• Encyclopedia Britannica: School Board
• Google News: Cobb County School Board public comments

Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER

ATLANTA STAFF WRITER The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.