Latest news with #CobbCountySchools
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Another book removed from Cobb County school libraries
The Cobb County School District has removed another book from the shelves of its libraries. Last week, the district announced that it would be removing 'American Psycho' by Bret Easton Ellis. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The novel is told from the perspective of banker-by-day, serial killer-by-night Patrick Bateman. It was the basis for the 2000 film of the same name starring Christian Bale. It is partially known for its graphic depictions of violence. RELATED STORIES: Cobb County Schools removes 2 more books, including kidnapping victim's memoir Cobb County removes 13 more books from schools for 'sexually explicit content' Cobb County Schools faces civil rights complaint over books removed from libraries Superintendent Chris Ragsdale addressed the idea that the school district is 'banning' books by saying they are simply trying to provide age-appropriate reading material for children. 'Not only is protecting children from sexually explicit content the best and only appropriate decision, but I also believe it protects decisions that should be made at home by parents,' he said. 'Our process is not a reflection on the author, the subject, or the literary merit of the book. It is analogous to not giving children unrestricted access to rated-R movies while they are at school.' Since September 2023, the school district has removed 36 books from its libraries. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Yahoo
Some Cobb Co. parents uneasy about teacher being charged in family violence case
Some parents of students in Cobb County Schools are concerned that a teacher was recently charged with simple battery in a case that accuses him of family violence. Thomas Wells is a teacher at Eastvalley Elementary School in Marietta. He is also listed as the suspect in an arrest warrant out of Cherokee County. Police say Wells pushed and grabbed his wife during a dispute. It allegedly happened before she filed for divorce. A temporary protective order Channel 2 obtained accuses Wells of being drunk and violent on different occasions. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Some parents of children attending the school are feeling uneasy about having a teacher in the school who is charged with a crime that stems from a domestic dispute. 'I would have to tell the school, could y'all remove my child out of that classroom or the person from the school,' parent Justin Baker told Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell. 'Try to explore other options. Teaching might not be where you need to be at especially right now until you get your situation under control.' Newell called Wells to get his side of the story, but her call went to voicemail. The school district sent Channel 2 a statement that says in part, 'We are aware of allegations about a staff member, which have nothing to do with students or our school. The legal process will determine the facts of a deeply personal and private situation, while we expect the highest level of professionalism from all of our team members.' 'I just don't believe he should be teaching right now around kids at this moment,' Baker said. The protective order requires Wells to undergo various assessments that involve alcohol and mental evaluations. TRENDING STORIES: Man killed, shot in the head at DeKalb County gas station Suspect standing trial 35 years after brother and sister killed in DeKalb County Security officer shot trying to stop car break-ins, police searching for gunman [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Yahoo
Cobb County adds new gun and explosive-sniffing dogs to schools
The Brief Cobb County Schools is taking new measures to boost safety just weeks after a deadly incident involving a student and a gun. The county announced that it will be hiring two Vapor Wake dogs to search for concealed firearms and explosives. Cobb County currently spends over $35 million on school safety annually. COBB COUNTY, Ga. - Cobb County Schools are taking new measures to protect students after a deadly incident in January involving a student with a gun. On Thursday, the school district announced plans to add a new layer of protection to keep students safe. The backstory On the afternoon of Jan. 15, Lindley Middle School in Mableton was swarmed by police after a report of a shooting inside one of the bathrooms. Police said a student used a gun to harm herself. The Cobb County Police Department and Cobb County School Police quickly responded, securing the campus and initiating a lockdown to protect students and staff. The student, whose identity has not been disclosed, was airlifted to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta in critical condition. A week later, police confirmed that she succumbed to her injuries. READ MORE: Lindley Middle School shooting: Student dies after shooting self on campus, police say The tragic event left students, parents, and staff shaken and had some in the community calling for stronger safety measures to prevent weapons from entering schools. What we know This week, Cobb County Schools announced that they will be adding two Vapor Wake canine detection teams through a partnership with the company Global K9. These dogs will be added to the K9s already patrolling Cobb County classrooms. Unlike the traditional detection dogs, the two new additions are "specially trained to continuously sample the air for concealed firearms and explosives, tracking potential threats even while in motion," officials said. The Vapor Wake teams are used at Atlanta Braves games, universities, arenas, theaters, and the United Nations. The idea is to speed up the response to any potential threats. What they're saying "We want our families to see for themselves that our schools are the safest in our community," Board Chair David Chastain said in a release announcing the dogs. "These canine teams are another example of us identifying and addressing threats before they happen." At a board meeting on Thursday, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale said that the district will "Be a the forefront of ensuring the safety of our students and team" while they are on the county's campuses. "As we spend over $35 million on safety per year, other than your home, Cobb's schools continue to be the safest environment in our county, and we are confident Vapor Wake dogs will make our schools even safer," Ragsdale said. Big picture view The new dogs will soon be added to the county's multi-layered security approach in its schools. The Cobb Shield program includes a 24/7 tip line, a crisis alert system, and the Evolv screening system. The Source FOX 5's Marc Teicher reported this story out of Cobb County. Additional information for this report came from a release by Cobb County Schools and previous FOX 5 reporting.
