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 responsibility
• Why this situation concerns people across political backgrounds
• How community trust is damaged when oversight is handled by people who avoid transparency
• What 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 resignation
• How this controversy is distracting from real issues like bus safety, food insecurity, staff support, and budget decisions

Heather 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.”