Dear MCS Family,
We’re officially in the final stretch of the school year. It’s been a year filled with growth, accomplishments, and unforgettable moments, and now it’s time to lock in and finish strong.
Students, as we head into these final weeks of the school year, I encourage you to stay focused. The accomplishments we’ve celebrated across our schools weren’t achieved by chance—they resulted from hard work, determination, and consistency. Each of you has the potential to do the same. So get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, and come to school ready to give it your all.
Let’s carry this momentum across the finish line. I believe in each of you, and I’m proud of how far we’ve come together.
Sincerely,
Grant
Marietta City Schools
Summary - Board of Education Meeting
April 22, 2025 | Combined Work Session - Regular Monthly Meeting
Student of the Month
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized A.L. Burruss student Jordan Lyons as the April Student of the Month.
Jordan is a well-rounded and outstanding student who embodies the spirit of Marietta City Schools. He recently starred in "Beauty and the Beast Jr.," showcasing his talent in the school musical. He also represents his school through academic competition in the Science Olympiad and serves as a leader on the Dream Team, the school's safety patrol.
He is known for his hard work and positive attitude. Jordan is a true-blue Marietta kid, with both parents proudly working in Marietta City Schools. He continues to make his school and community proud through his leadership, involvement, and commitment to excellence.
The Board of Education congratulates Jordan for being a Marietta City Schools Student of the Month for April.
Employee of the Month
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized A.L. Burruss reading specialist Kelly Hoover as the April Employee of the Month.
Mrs. Hoover has made a remarkable impact at A.L. Burruss, playing a key role in boosting student reading achievement across the school. This year, she also stepped in to lead the Chorus program, growing it to more than 40 students and creating meaningful, joy-filled learning experiences through music. A true team player, Mrs. Hoover makes everything around her better, no matter where she’s placed in the school. She’s originally from Pennsylvania and will have both of her children proudly attending A.L. Burruss next year.
The Board of Education congratulates Mrs. Hoover for being a Marietta City Schools Employee of the Month for April.
Employee of the Month
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized Central Office Communication Associate Gwendolyn Ducre as the April Employee of the Month.
Gwendolyn is a former TV news reporter and anchor journalist whose passion for storytelling has helped reshape the way Marietta City Schools communicates. Through her award-winning video work, she captures the heart of our district with authenticity, creativity, and care. She’s a true hustler—often working early mornings or late nights—and an incredible team player. With Gwendolyn, it’s never “no,” it’s always “how.” She’s a constant champion for our schools, students, and staff.
The Board of Education congratulates Gwendolyn for being a Marietta City Schools Employee of the Month for April.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized the Cobb County Safety Village for its long-standing partnership and commitment to educating students on life-saving safety practices.
Spanning eight acres, the Safety Village is one of the most comprehensive safety training environments in the country, featuring lifelike streets, traffic signals, sidewalks, and replicas of local community buildings. Through partnerships with Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services, Police and Sheriff Offices, Emergency Communications 911, WellStar Health System, Cobb & Douglas Public Health, Cobb EMC, and Safe Kids of Cobb County, students receive hands-on training and important lessons in areas like fire safety, bus stop safety, health awareness, and water safety.
Thanks to this partnership, all second and fourth-grade students in Marietta City Schools attend free educational field trips, and kindergartners receive in-school programming specifically designed for them. Over the past two decades, more than 40,000 MCS students have benefited from this impactful program, helping to build a safer, more informed generation.
Congratulations to the Cobb County Safety Village, and thank you for accepting this recognition.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized Tre Binner of SA Recycling for his ongoing generosity and commitment to supporting students and families across the district. Over the past year, SA Recycling has donated thousands of dollars to Marietta City Schools, directly impacting programs and services that help students thrive.
They served as the presenting sponsor of the “Yes I Can” Awards for the second year and provided essential support to Department of Specialized Services programs, including SENTRA, the Special Education New Teacher Retention Academy. Support extended to the arts as well, sponsoring Art in Our Parks, a public display of student artwork featured throughout Marietta’s city parks in partnership with the Marietta Arts Council. SA Recycling also provided funding for dental cleanings and exams for 50 students from Sawyer Road Elementary who did not have access to dental insurance, ensuring that every child had the opportunity to learn and grow in good health. Congratulations to Tre Binner and SA Recycling.
Tre Binner and Michele Sayles Harris, Chief of Special Services and Educational Supports, are pictured after the “Yes I Can” Awards to the left.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized Coach Charlie Hood for his induction into the Georgia Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, honoring a career that helped define Marietta High School athletics.
Coach Hood led the MHS boys' basketball program for 40 years, including 37 years as head coach, during which he compiled a remarkable record of 715 wins and 284 losses. Under his leadership, the team earned two state championships, made 20 appearances in the state tournament, and celebrated 34 winning seasons. His impact extended well beyond the scoreboard—more than 60 of his former players have gone on to compete at the collegiate level, a testament to his commitment to developing both athletes and young men. Already a member of the Marietta Athletic Hall of Fame and the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Coach Hood remains an active part of the Marietta community, now as a proud grandparent of students at Hickory Hills Elementary.
Congratulations to Coach Hood, and thank you for accepting this recognition.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized two talented Marietta Middle School eighth-graders, Olivia Pudvin and Aiza Mahmud, for being selected to display their artwork in the 2025 Georgia Art Education Association Capitol Art Exhibit, which is the largest student art exhibition in the state.
The annual exhibit showcases exceptional student creativity and celebrates the importance of the arts in education. As part of the experience, students had the opportunity to engage with state lawmakers during a special reception, helping to build connections and advocacy for arts education across Georgia. Being selected for this prestigious exhibit is a reflection of the talent, hard work, and artistic vision of these young Marietta artists.
Congratulations, Olivia and Aiza, and thank you for accepting this recognition.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized two fourth-grade students from the Marietta Center for Advanced Academics for their outstanding achievements at the 2025 Georgia Student Technology Competition, which draws nearly 10,000 students from across the state each year.
Vivaan Sathish earned first place in the Project Programming category, while Tanush Bazaz placed third in the Animation category, showcasing both technical skill and creative thinking.
The competition is designed to inspire students to pursue innovation through technology and prepare them to become the next generation of creators, problem solvers, and digital leaders.
Congratulations, Tanush and Vivaan, and thank you for accepting this recognition.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized two exceptional students from Marietta High School for being selected to attend the 2025 Governor’s Honors Program, one of the most prestigious academic opportunities available to Georgia high school students.
After a highly competitive, multi-round interview process, Katie Minahan was selected in the area of Theatre, and Charlotte Common was selected in the area of World Languages (French). This summer, they will spend one month at Georgia Southern University, fully immersed in advanced learning experiences within their chosen fields, alongside some of the brightest students from across the state.
Congratulations to our scholars, Charlotte and Katie, and thank you for accepting this recognition.
Special Recognition
Each month, Marietta City Schools proudly welcomes student artists to display their creative work at Central Office. This rotating exhibit allows us to celebrate the talent and imagination of our students while bringing life and color to our shared spaces.
This month’s featured artists were Finley Elliott and Mitchell Hunter, fifth-graders at West Side Elementary; Holly Hudson, a senior at Marietta High School; John-Claude Etienne, an eighth-grader at Marietta Middle School; Legend Parks, a second-grader at Dunleith Elementary; and Knightley Hicks, a sixth-grader at Marietta Sixth Grade Academy. They joined us during the Board of Education meeting, where they introduced themselves, shared their school, and spoke about their artwork.
Congratulations to these fantastic artists, and thank you for accepting this recognition.
Special Recognition
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education recognized The Pitchfork, Marietta High School’s student newspaper, for its outstanding accomplishments at the Georgia Scholastic Press Association awards.
Led by staff advisor Andrea Lyons and supported by a talented team of student staff writers, The Pitchfork was named the state winner in the “Large School” category and received an Overall Superior rating for excellence in student journalism. The publication also earned the Community Service Award, a distinction that highlights its meaningful impact beyond the classroom and its commitment to serving the broader Marietta community through storytelling.
Congratulations and thank you to Mrs. Lyons and The Pitchfork staff writers for accepting this award.
Board Meeting Approvals
- Approval of Minutes - March 18, 2025 Combined Work Session - Regular Monthly Meeting (7/0 - Approved)
- Adoption of Agenda (7/0 - Approved)
- Fast Start Academy - Kennesaw State University (7/0 - Approved)
- Summer School/EXCELerate Academy - Marietta High School (7/0 - Approved)
- Fund Agreement - Cobb Community Foundation (7/0 - Approved)
- Interpretation Services Contract - Purple Communications, Inc. (7/0 - Approved)
- FY2025 Midterm Budget Amendment (7/0 - Approved)
- FY2026 General Fund Budget - Presentation
- FY2026 Other Funds Budget - Presentation
- 2025 Marietta General Election (7/0 - Approved)
- Microsoft Volume License Agreement - Dell Technologies (7/0 - Approved)
- Technology Ticketing System - Incident IQ (7/0 - Approved)
- Aspen Student Information System - Follett Software, LLC (7/0- Approved)
- Rubrik Backup Storage System - Edge Solutions (7/0 - Approved)
- Information Management Solution - USHA Software (7/0 - Approved)
- USDA Local Foods for Schools Grant/School Nutrition Program - Piedmont BBQ (7/0 - Approved)
- Field Trips (7/0 - Approved)
- Marietta City Schools Board of Education Meeting Schedule (2025-2026) (7/0 - Approved)
- Executive Session - Permitted Land, Legal, Personnel, and Student Matter (7/0 - Approved)
- Approval of Personnel Action (7/0 - Approved)
- Approval of Administrative Personnel Action (7/0 - Approved)