Region's Population Tops Four Million
The 10-county Atlanta region’s population has surpassed the four million mark after the region added 104,000 new residents between April 1, 2006 and April 1, 2007, according to new ARC estimates. The region is now home to 4,029,400 people. During the last three years, the region has added almost 315,000 new residents. The City of Atlanta experienced its largest single-year population gain in more than 35 years, adding 12,600 persons. Fulton County led the region in population growth in the past year, adding 33,400 new residents. Fulton remains the region’s largest county with an estimated population of 933,600, followed by Gwinnett County, which added 20,600 new residents with an estimated population of 740,200. See ARC's latest Regional Snapshot for more local population data.
Cobb receives Fitch “AAA” rating for 11th straight year
Fitch Ratings has assigned a “AAA” rating to Cobb County’s approximately $25 million general obligation (GO) park bonds, series 2007. The “AAA” GO bond rating reflects strong financial management, sound fund balances, very low debt levels and a diverse economic base. The county's relatively low tax rates, assessed valuation (AV) growth averaging seven percent annually over the past five years and prudent budgeting practices have contributed to a strong financial position. The county ended fiscal 2006 with a healthy operating surplus of $3.9 million in its general fund and an unreserved, undesignated fund balance equal to a strong 13.3 percent of spending and other uses. The current financing is the first installment under a $40 million general obligation bond referendum approved voters in November 2006 for the acquisition of park land within the county. Fitch's rating definitions are available on the agency's Web site, www.fitchratings.com. Published ratings, criteria and methodologies are also available from this site.
East Cobb Middle School Removed from Ga. Dept. of Education "Needs Improvement List"
East Cobb Middle School Principal David Chiprany announced today that his school has been removed from the Georgia Department of Education "Needs Improvement" list. For two consecutive years, specific academic and attendance goals were achieved and East Cobb Middle made "Adequate Yearly Progress."
East Cobb Middle enjoys tremendous cultural and economic diversity among our student body not found in other East Cobb schools. "Students experience what the real world is like everyday in our school," says parent Anne Jones. "The positive result is that the kids acquire invaluable interpersonal skills and cultural experiences different from their own at a young age."
More than twenty languages are spoken at East Cobb Middle because of its Intensive English Learning Program; NON-ENGLISH speaking students who have been in the United States for less than one year, from all over Cobb County attend the school. Each child is required to take the same math test as native English speakers. These scores count toward ECMS' regardless of the students' home school or their prior educational experiences.
ECMS achieved overall improvements in all academic subject areas. Most notably reading scores increased by 4%, and math by .9%. Mr. Chiprany credits the students success to his teachers' focus on differentiated instructional strategies; meeting the educational needs of all students at his/her individual learning ability.
Critics and proponents alike point to the new school head for his invaluable leadership and immense energy. PTSA President Mary Blackett has seen the school's transformation firsthand. "The enthusiasm and sense of school pride David has brought to the staff and students has been amazing."
"I am extremely happy and proud for everyone involved. The credit belongs to our talented students, dedicated faculty, and our supportive parents "Mr. C" elates. Chiprany came to East Cobb Middle School from Mableton Elementary where he was named 2005/2006 PTA Principal of the Year. He began his career with Cobb County schools in 1994 as a Brumby Elementary Physical Education Teacher. His administrative career began at Nickajack Elementary as an Assistant Administrator from 1999-2001, continued at Blackwell Elementary as Assistant Principal from 2001-2003.