AUGUSTA, Ga. () – The Richmond County Board of Education appointed Dr. Malinda Cobb to serve as superintendent of schools for the Richmond County School System, effective Aug. 13, 2025.

Cobb was named the superintendent after a 6-4 vote in a committee meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 12, earning more votes than Dr. Keith Simmons. Cobb served as interim superintendent since Jan. 1, following the retirement of Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw, who led the district for five years. 

According to the RCBOE, Cobb has more than 20 years of experience within the school system, starting off as a teacher at T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School and later serving as principal of Goshen Elementary and the Academy of Richmond County.

“When we sat down and talked about what we wanted and what we wanted to do, we looked at the continuity of continuing working with someone who not only knew our system but was a member of our community,” said Shawanda Stovall, president of the Richmond County School Board. “And Dr. Cobb as you know has been with our community from the very beginning. She is the prime example for our teachers, our families, and our students, that you can start in this school system and work your way to the top. She started out as a teacher, worked her way up to being a principal,  then worked her way up into senior administration and now we are excited to have her as our next Superintendent of Schools.”

Cobb is expected to be sworn in at a later date.

Photojournalist credit: Rickey Jones, Jr.