News Summary
Dr. Malinda Cobb has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Schools for the Richmond County School System. This decision followed a 6-4 vote by the Richmond County Board of Education. Cobb, who has previously served as interim superintendent, brings extensive experience within the district. Concerns were raised about her past administration, but she received commendations for her commitment to innovation and leadership. Additionally, the board discussed a proposed millage rate increase to address funding shortfalls, with public hearings scheduled.
Augusta, GA – Dr. Malinda Cobb has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Schools for the Richmond County School System following a 6-4 vote by the Richmond County Board of Education on August 12. Cobb, who has been serving in the role of interim superintendent since January 1 after the resignation of Kenneth Bradshaw, has extensive experience within the district, having worked there since 2001.
During her tenure in the Richmond County School District, Cobb has held multiple positions, including teacher, principal, area assistant superintendent, and associate superintendent. This background contributed to her selection as a strong candidate for the permanent superintendent position.
The board’s decision to hire Cobb came after a narrow vote in which six members supported her appointment. The board members who voted in favor of Cobb include: Shawnda Stovall (President, District 1), Ed Lowry (Vice President, District 6), Walter Eubanks (District 3), Charlie Walker (District 7), Mary Jane Abbott (District 8), and Venus Cain (District 9). Those who opposed her appointment were Monique Braswell (District 5), Shontae Boyd (District 4), Charlie Hannah (District 2), and Samantha Valentine (District 10).
Concerns were raised by some board members regarding past issues within the administration, specifically highlighting Cobb’s previous authority as interim superintendent. Despite these concerns, board President Shawnda Stovall commended Cobb’s longstanding commitment to the community and her innovative approach to leadership.
Immediately following the vote, Cobb signed her contract, which is effective starting now and extends through June 2028. While a salary for Cobb has not yet been established, it is expected to be determined in subsequent meetings.
In addition to appointing a new superintendent, the board discussed a proposed .41 millage rate increase aimed at addressing funding shortfalls within the district. The first reading of this proposal saw nearly unanimous approval, with only one member dissenting.
If approved, the new millage rate would lead to an increase in property taxes by approximately $2.56 per month for an average home valued at $200,000. Richmond County School District anticipates generating an estimated revenue of $366,387,483 for the upcoming year, which is significantly less than the anticipated expenditures of $378,387,423.
To close this budget gap, the school system plans to utilize $12 million from surplus funds accumulated in the previous year. Chief Financial Officer Bobby Smith mentioned projections indicating a decrease of $450,000 in Quality Basic Education (QBE) funding, along with rising costs associated with health insurance and retirement contributions.
As part of the budgetary process, the Richmond County Board of Education is required to hold three public hearings regarding the proposed millage rate increase, with the final reading and vote scheduled for September 8.
The Richmond County School Board’s strategic decisions regarding leadership and funding are poised to have significant implications for the educational landscape in the area as the district seeks to navigate financial challenges while providing quality education to its students.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Decision Expected Soon on New Richmond County Superintendent
- WFXG: Richmond County School Board to Vote Tuesday on Next Superintendent
- Augusta Chronicle: Richmond County School Board Names Malinda Cobb as Superintendent
- WJBF: Dr. Malinda Cobb Selected as Richmond County Schools Superintendent
- Augusta Press: Malinda Cobb Named New Richmond County School System Superintendent
- Wikipedia: Richmond County School System
- Google Search: Richmond County School System
- Google Scholar: Richmond County education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education in Georgia
- Google News: Richmond County education
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AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond 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 Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
