Concerned Citizens of Cook County

Concerned Citizens of Cook County A non-profit organization advocating for social and environmental justice.

06/09/2026

The momentum is building.

In-person registration for the 2026 Environmental Justice & Climate Protection Conference is sold out, and we're excited to continue welcoming attendees online.

Thank you to our Climate Champion Sponsors, Concerned Citizens of Cook County, NRDC, and Sierra Club Georgia Chapter, for helping make this gathering possible.

On June 11 and 12, community members, advocates, researchers, and youth from across the region will come together to explore solutions, share knowledge, and strengthen the movement for environmental justice and climate action.

Register to join us online:
bit.ly/EJCP-2026

Elections have consequences! Get ready to vote in the June 16th Runoff Election! Early voting begins on Monday June 8th....
06/04/2026

Elections have consequences! Get ready to vote in the June 16th Runoff Election! Early voting begins on Monday June 8th. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Friday, June 5th (tomorrow).

06/03/2026

Part 5 Final Episode - June 1, 2026 - Cook County Board of Education: Another citizen asked about how much of the funding was used for instruction and advised the board that as public servants they should be working for more than the money. This is the final video. The board approved the budget.

06/03/2026

Part 4 - June 1, 2026, Cook Board of Education Budget Hearing: Questions and comments from the floor about fiscal accountability for funding, preventing a Dixon situation again, getting down to the grit on athletic fields, and taxpayer burden.

06/03/2026

Part 3 - June 1, 2026 Cook Board of Education Budget Hearing: Questions from a citizens concerning the high salaries ($1,000/mth, $12,000/yr) for board members (elected) and the payout to the former superintendent.

1:50 - In referencing the board’s salary of $1,000/month, Chairman Chad Sumner (District 5) states that “it needs to be worth our while”….”what everybody else does is their business as far as other counties.” Listen to the full statements.

2:52 - Vice Chair Brenda Moore (District 4) laughingly states, “As we retire, we hope that there are other people who’ll want to run.”

Stay tuned for Part 4 with questions concerning fiscal accountability and athletic field decisions.

06/03/2026

Part 2 - Cook BOE Budget Hearing (June 1, 2026): Budget Shortfall, HB 581 Floating Option Sales Tax (FLOST), Rising Costs
Key points:
1) Overview of FY2026-2027 Budget
2) Health insurance increases
3) Teacher Retirement System (TRS)
4) Plan to address budget shortfall by using existing balance and reducing expenditures if necessary.
5) Instruction - 61% of expenditures
6) 75% revenue from state, 2% local sources (taxes)
7) HB 581 tax rollback will result in the loss of a little over $400,000 in tax revenue

Stay tuned for Part 3 that involves questions from citizens and information about board salaries and spending.

06/03/2026

June 1st, 2026 - Cook County Board of Education Meeting and Budget Hearing Summary:

At 5 pm the meeting room was full of parents and students for the recognition portion of the meeting. After these recognitions, the majority of the parents and students left. Mostly school administrators, employees, and a few citizens remained for the budget public hearing.

1) Cook High Varsity Baseball team recognized for making it to the Final 4; region players of the year and all region players recognized
2) Cook High Track and Field team recognized for making it to state; individual accomplishment also recognized
3) FY 2026-2027 Budget Hearing
—SPLOST can be used in many ways to renovate or build new buildings
—$3.83 million in SPLOST projected for FY 2026-2027
4) Projected FY 2026-2027 Deficit: $ 1.8 million
5) Cook Board of Education members are paid $12,000 per year ($1,000/mth) plus any travel.
—This is the highest pay for elected board members in neighboring counties and in the region; Lowndes board members only make on average $1,700/year ($142/mth)
—The board voted themselves a pay raise that almost tripled their pay from FY 2023 to FY 2024
6) Chairman Chad Sumner explains why former superintendent was paid $160,000 despite being removed/asked to resign from his role as superintendent.

Please watch Part 1 to hear about SPLOST and how it can be used.

06/01/2026

5:00 pm Cook BOE Budget Public Hearing
5:30 pm - Adel City Council
6:00 pm - Cook County Commission
6:30 pm - Lenox City Council

Address

Adel, GA
31602

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