Cobb School Board Adopts FY 2014 Budget

The $856.3 million budget approved Thursday includes 5 furlough days and 182 teacher cuts through attrition.

The Cobb Board of Education on Thursday approved a fiscal year 2014 budget that includes five furlough days for teachers and staff, a reduction of 182 teaching positions through attrition, a half-year step increase for employees and taking $41 million from reserves to reach a balance. After the board voted down three other budget proposals -- including an amended version of the tentative budget with a full-year step increase for Cobb County School District employees -- it went back to something it could pass. The $856.3 million budget, which takes effect July 1, is similar to the package that the board tentatively approved on April 29 and that closes a deficit of $86.4 million. Voting in favor the budget were board chairman Randy Scamihorn…

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Marietta Police Embark on History Project

The department wants the public's assistance.

The Marietta Police Department is looking for old photos of police cars, and the agency is hoping the public can help them. "As we dig through the hallowed keepsakes of our own past," said Officer David Baldwin, the spokesman for the Marietta Police Department, "we realize that some of the best documentations of our history lie in the books and pictures that are preserved in the albums of our citizens."  In addition to building a gallery of historic pictures at the department, the department hopes to recreate and restore an authentic antique police car "for all generations to see," he said.  If you'd like to help with the Marietta Police Department's history preservation efforts, contact Baldwin at 770-794-5370 or dbaldwin@mariettaga.gov.

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Marietta High Approved to Offer IB Career-related Certificate

The IBO authorization establishes Marietta High as only the third International Baccalaureate (World School in Georgia to offer the IBCC, and Marietta City Schools as only the second Georgia school district to provide the full IB continuum.

Marietta High School (MHS) recently earned approval from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) to offer the new International Baccalaureate Career-related Certificate (IBCC). The IBO authorization establishes Marietta High School as only the third International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in Georgia to offer the IBCC, and Marietta City Schools as only the second Georgia school district to provide the full IB continuum of all four IB programmes (Primary Years, Middle Years, Diploma, and Career-related Certificate).  “We are proud to offer the new IB Career-related Certificate and coursework beginning this next academic year,” said Emily Lembeck, MCS Superintendent. “The IBCC provides an innovative education framework for …

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This Inspiring Story Brought to You by Grape-Nuts

Laura Whitaker Helps Special-Needs Kids at Extra Special People

Laura Whitaker has expanded a program for special-needs kids from a summer camp to a year-round program. Now she's got even bigger plans to help disabled children. Sponsored by Grape-Nuts.

  About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains. Laura Whitaker is the executive director of Extra Special People, a nonprofit in Watkinsville, GA, that enhances the lives of children with disabilities by offering them recreation, education and socialization. Whitaker has been the executive director of ESP since 2006, and was only 21 when she took on the job. Under her leadership, the nonprofit has grown from a summer camp program to a year-round one, providing after-school care and family counseling for more than 150 children throughout 10 counties in …

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Weekender: Cobb Adopt-a-Thon, "Legally Blonde the Musical"

This weekend get out to the Cobb County Animal Control's Spring Adopt-a-Thon, historic sites in South Cobb, Smyrna and Vinings, "Legally Blonde the Musical" on Marietta Square and the Georgia U.S.A. Ambassador Pageant in Kennesaw.

Young Actors Playhouse (YAP) Presents "Legally Blonde the Musical" When: Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m. Where: Theatre in the Square, 11 Whitlock Ave SW, Marietta, GA What: Legally Blonde the Musical is based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown. It tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrolls at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. She discovers how her knowledge of the law can help others, and successfully defends exercise queen Brooke Wyndham in a murder trial. Spring Adopt-a-Thon When: Saturday, May 18, 2013, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Cobb County Animal Control, 1060 Al Bishop Dr SW, Marietta What: Cobb County Animal Control is hosting its Annual Spring Adopt-a-thon…

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Cobb Teams Taking the Fight to Cancer Tonight

Relay For Life of Cobb County gets under way today at Jim Miller Park in Marietta and will run until Saturday morning.

Nearly 2,800 people are set to gather in Jim Miller Park tonight to honor cancer victims and survivors and to raise awareness and money for a cure for the disease. Relay For Life of Cobb County will kick off at 7 p.m. Set to take part in the event are 170 teams of volunteers from local groups and organizations, schools, churches and businesses. Many of those teams will continue to fundraise at tonight’s event, which is open to the public, but as of Thursday night, they had already raised nearly $463,000, according to the American Cancer Society's event website. Related news: How Can Relay for Life Teams Use Patch? For those attending Relay For Life of Cobb County, we’ll be watching your tweets from the event. Return here to West Cobb Patch…

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Southern Poly to Offer New Degrees

Both have a focus on the environment.

Starting this fall, students who want focused training in the field of environmental engineering technology will no longer have to go outside of Georgia for that training. Southern Polytechnic State University will offer a new 123-credit hour program that qualifies students for a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering Technology. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia on Tuesday approved Southern Poly's request to add two new, environmentally-focused degrees at the Marietta campus. "Environmental criteria are important aspects of all civil engineering activity in the present and foreseeable future," said Prof. Tim Zeigler, chair of the school's Department of Civil Engineering Technology. "As industry expands, …

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Marietta Bakery to Hold Benefit, Silent Auction for Injured Man

Charles Tumulak of Lilburn was paralyzed following a horrific fall in an obstacle course race. His family and friends continue to rally around him.

A Marietta bakery will soon hold a fundraiser to benefit a Lilburn man, who was injured in a horrific accident in March. The fundraiser takes place 7 a.m. - 9 p.m., May 18 at Canvas Cafe and Bakery, in Marietta. Proceeds will benefit Charles Tumulak, who was paralyzed from the neck down after falling 15 feet -- head first -- during an obstacle course race. One of Tumulak's sisters, Leilani Townsend, said the bakery has "graciously taken it upon themselves to organize and put on this amazing event in which 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Charles." Anything purchased during the daylong event and all monies raised from a silent auction will help defray some of Tumulak's housing and medical costs. Items for the silent auction have been …

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