James MagazineJames_July-August_2026_web - Flipbook - Page 56
“I couldn’t be prouder of my
teachers and principals,” he says.
The superintendent did underscore, though, that “the principal
probably has the most difficult job.
Principals must create and maintain that environment for learning.
Also, there has never been a more
challenging and difficult time to be
a teacher. Teachers are subjected
to so much undeserved stress and
targeting. We always say they are
not paid well for the job they do. I
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can attest to that. That’s why one
of my goals, and one we have accomplished, is to become the highest paid school district in Georgia.”
CLASSROOM DISCIPLINE
& SCHOOL SAFETY
Our conversation turned to
classroom discipline, and he replied
that “our code of conduct says
schools have autonomy in that they
have a range of discipline depending on the situation.” But he stressed
that “the teacher has to know the
administration of the school and the
superintendent are backed up when
they must have a student removed
from their classroom.”
Ragsdale also commented on
the General Assembly’s recent ban
on cell phones in all K-12 schools.
“I’ve always said cell phones
can be a classroom distraction
and take away from the learning
process, but they can be a tool
that teachers can use. We’ve had
technology in the classroom for
a long time, whether it be a cell
phone, tablet or laptop. But when
cell phones are out of control, they
should be banned.”
As for safety, Ragsdale said
“Columbine (a 1999 Colorado mass
school shooting) changed everything. Every teacher now has an
employee ID badge that can electronically summon a request for
help, especially if there is a student
acting up or posing a ‘code red’
