The Cobb County school board voted to nix the planned $50 million event center, officials said in a meeting Tuesday, after months of criticism and questions from community groups and some parents.
Superintendent Chris Ragsdale cited concerning levels of inflation and a potential economic recession as a reason for stopping the project.
The school board initially approved the project — billed as a place to host graduations and other school district events — in March 2023. Since then, there have been few details made public. When pressed by board members, Ragsdale refers to his initial presentation about the possible uses for such a facility. The return on investment would be “infinity,” he said. The facility would have about 8,000 seats and a parking deck, Ragsdale has said.
The district has already purchased land, hired an architect and hired a construction manager.
“This recommendation does not negate the dire need for the facility, but a facility can never take priority over our employees,” Ragsdale said Tuesday. He referenced financial woes around 2008 that led to layoffs and pay cuts for teachers, and said he wanted to be prepared for similar circumstances to arise again. The district currently has $189 million in its reserves, which would cover about two months of the district’s expenses.
Officials previously said the project would be funded from revenue the district made from selling several properties, and from money received from the state to reimburse for construction projects.
Tuesday’s meeting was not livestreamed, which is unusual for the district. The agenda, which was posted ahead of the meeting, did not reference the event center.
Board member Becky Sayler, who has asked for more information about the proposed facility for months, said she was “thrilled” to hear the superintendent’s recommendation. “I think this is very wise,” she said.
The proposed event center has garnered a vocal group of critics who frequently attended Cobb school board meetings to urge the board to stop the project.
“That waste will be forever,” said Cobb resident Steven Lang at a May school board meeting. “It won’t improve our students’ intelligence or their test scores. It won’t teach them new skills or get them accepted to better colleges.”
Watching the Funds-Cobb, a watchdog group that focuses on the district’s finances, last month posted online what it described as floor plans for the venue. The documents detailed a 190,200-square-foot facility that could host basketball games, graduations or a stage for concerts. The floor plan also includes a connected conference center and a new six-level parking deck. Cobb officials have not confirmed the floor plans.
“We are proud to know our hard work has saved Cobb County taxpayers millions of dollars now and in the future,” said Heather Tolley-Bauer, a founder of Watching the Funds-Cobb, after Tuesday’s meeting. “The public agreed that this was an unnecessary project. This is a win for taxpayers, students and our local schools.”
After Tuesday’s meeting, board member Leroy “Tre’” Hutchins suggested that politics could be at play in the about-face by the superintendent. Three Republican-held seats on the school board are up for election this year.
“While not referenced as a consideration in the decision to rescind the project, I do recognize this is also election season,” Hutchins, a Democrat, said in a statement.
Board Chair Randy Scamihorn said the superintendent made the right decision based on rising construction costs and decreasing revenue. The idea that the move was political is “ridiculous,” he said.
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