Not Bored of Education

In this episode, Laura and Andrew unpack the November Cobb County School Board meeting — from expanding the Vapor Wake canine program to the ethics silence surrounding Board Member and Vice-Chair Cristadoro.They break down:The ethics issue raised by Cristadoro’s consent judgment involving $250,000 in client funds.Why the board chair’s defense statement didn’t represent all members.Concerns over transparency, misuse of funds, and trust in leadership.The rushed $2 million vote for more detection dogs — without data or public answers.Ongoing bus maintenance and safety issues still brushed aside.A bipartisan win adding mental health and meal support to legislative priorities.They close with personal stories of gratitude, service, and the continued reminder: Every student deserves a voice, and every voice deserves to be heard.

In this episode, Laura and Andrew are joined by Watching the Funds Cobb co-founder Heather Tolley-Bauer to dig into the growing trust deficit in the Cobb County School Board, sparked by board member John Cristadoro’s civil fraud case.Heather explains how Cristadoro misused $250,000 in client funds and why that matters when he is now helping oversee nearly $3 billion in taxpayer money. The conversation breaks down the risks of partisan decision-making, the board’s silence, and the troubling fact that Cristadoro, as vice-chair, currently chairs the district’s audit committee despite his financial misconduct.Key discussion points include:The direct connection between private financial behavior and public responsibilityWhy this situation concerns people across political backgroundsHow community trust is damaged when oversight is handled by people who avoid transparencyWhat the board can realistically do, such as revisiting leadership roles and initiating internal ethics steps, and what they cannot do, including removing Cristadoro from office without his resignationHow this controversy is distracting from real issues like bus safety, food insecurity, staff support, and budget decisionsHeather also shares a positive student spotlight that highlights Pope High School’s Globalization Academy, creative school community events, and a meaningful story about her son’s dedication to showing up for his school, even when he was the only student in the stands.“Every student deserves a voice. Every voice deserves to be heard.”

In this episode, Laura and Andrew welcome parent and advocate Micheal Garza to unpack the real story behind the Cobb County school board redistricting lawsuit that was quietly dropped and why that’s not the “win” the district claimed. Micheal breaks down how over $2 million in taxpayer dollars were spent defending a map that wasn’t just legally questionable. It silenced the voting power of over 100,000 residents and diluted representation for Cobb’s Black and Latino communities.Micheal also uses this conversation to announce his campaign for Cobb County School Board, Post 4, challenging current board chair David Chastain. He shares why the current board’s pattern of division, censorship, and disengagement pushed him to run and how his vision focuses on bringing communities together, supporting teachers, and rebuilding trust.Other topics include:The firing of teachers over political speech and the district’s double standardBus safety and maintenance failures impacting students with IEPsThe ongoing impact of federal SNAP program cuts on Cobb studentsWhy partisanship, propaganda, and PR aren’t substitutes for real leadershipHow PTA-level collaboration models what the board should aspire toPlus: a heartwarming student spotlight on special education teachers creating inclusive learning experiences supported directly by Micheal’s local PTA.Every student deserves a voice. Every voice deserves to be heard.

Laura Judge and Andrew Cole return to break down major changes in the Cobb County School District—starting with the controversial decision to remove public comment broadcasts from school board meetings. They explore what this means for transparency and community trust, and why keeping public voices in the spotlight matters more than ever. The episode also dives into the district's new PR strategy, where official communications increasingly feature select board members, raising questions about representation and fairness. Laura and Andrew wrap up with a personal look at the first day of school and new tech initiatives in classrooms—balancing concern with optimism, and always centering students.

Laura and Andrew unpack the key moments from the April 24th Cobb County School Board meeting, starting with the district’s tentative FY2026 budget and how transparency around spending remains a challenge. They discuss public comments from the bus fleet and maintenance crew, who raised concerns about pay, workload, and equipment—highlighting the critical role they play in student safety. Laura and Andrew also explore recent construction and safety approvals, including Vapor Wake K-9 purchases, and how the district communicates funding decisions. The episode wraps with recognition of outstanding student achievements in academics, arts, and athletics—including state championship wins and national competition awards—and a reminder that advocacy and celebration go hand in hand when it comes to strong public schools.

Laura and Andrew break down the key takeaways from the March 20th Cobb County School Board meeting. Topics include the board’s approval of multiple construction projects and the continued removal of books—this time Dead End by Jason Myers. They also discuss the superintendent’s pay raise, concerns raised by parents over antisemitism and the dismissal of Campbell High School coaches, and the board’s response to the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act (SB 233). Plus, a quick review at the announcement of upcoming school safety sessions by The Servius Group.

Laura and Andrew break down how the Cobb County Board of Education operates, what powers board members actually have, and where oversight is lacking. They also discuss state legislative bills that could directly impact local school boards and possibly shift decision-making power away from communities. Plus, this week’s Student Spotlight!

Laura and Andrew break down the latest updates from the February 13th Cobb County School Board meeting, including the introduction of Vapor Wake K9s for school security, the superintendent’s contract extension, and plans for a new Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy (CITA) building. The discussion looks into what these changes mean for students, parents, and taxpayers. Plus, a special highlight on the East Cobb County Council PTA’s Teachers of the Year and Certified Employees of the Year, recognizing the educators making a real impact in our schools.

🎙 Welcome to Not Bored of Education with Laura Judge & Andrew Cole! 🎙In this teaser episode, we introduce Not Bored of Education, the podcast that keeps you informed about what’s really happening in Cobb County schools. From breaking down school board meetings to celebrating student successes and tackling the big issues in education, we’re here to bring transparency, accountability, and real conversations to the community.📌 What to Expect:✔️ School board meeting breakdowns✔️ How policies impact students, parents, and teachers✔️ Where your tax dollars are going✔️ Stories of student and school achievements✔️ How you can get involvedEducation affects all of us—so let’s talk about it! Subscribe now and join us for the first full episode coming soon.📩 Have a topic you want us to cover? Let us know in the comments!#NotBoredOfEducation #CobbSchools #EducationMatters #SchoolBoard #CommunityVoices