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Staff shortages threaten plans to keep school buildings open By CHAMIAN CRUZ chamian@appenmedia.com
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Forsyth County commissioners approved a $51 million contract Jan. 11 to widen a 3.1-mile stretch of Old Atlanta Road.
County OKs Old Atlanta Road funding By JAKE DRUKMAN jake@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners voted to award a $51.4 million contract GP’s Enterprises Jan. 11 for construction on the Old Atlanta Road expansion project. The contract calls for adding a lane in each direction and a median along a 3.1-mile section of the highway from James Burgess Road to the St. Marlo Country Club. Assistant County Manager David McKee said the project was designed over a decade ago, though changes in construction guidelines and developments in the area mean it will undergo
a redesign. Construction will begin once the design is completed, but McKee said workers will be able to begin clearing ground and working on utilities as the design process continues. McKee noted the construction will be a “lengthy process,” and estimated it will take 3-5 years for the project to be completed. He expects construction to begin in 6-8 months. Noting the project’s large price tag, Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills asked if delaying the contract approval until construction prices drop would be viable. McKee said the project would “only get more expensive” if the commission waited to approve. In other matters at the Jan. 11 work
session, the commission approved a public safety infrastructure refresh initiative for up to $1.4 million that provide new digital service systems for the Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department and Emergency Management Agency. Maj. Nick Curry of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said the current public safety system was acquired in 2015 and warranties are running out. He said public safety systems are commonly targeted by ransomware and malware due to its critical nature. “You can just Google right now and see how many attacks we’ve had on local, state, federal agencies,” Curry said.
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FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — While students have returned to classrooms from winter break, Forsyth County Schools faces staffing shortages that could force school closings. The latest COVID-19 surge has contributed to 20 openings for cafeteria workers and the same number of custodians, said Jennifer Caracciolo, director of Communications for the district. The openings in foodservice began last June. Openings for custodial workers began two months later. Caracciolo said the district also has a need for more bus drivers and substitutes, as it was short five drivers when students resumed face-toface instruction Jan. 10, leading to some isolated transportation delays. However, she said, staff has stepped up across all schools and departments to help any way they can. “We have schools sharing custodians with schools in need, staff assisting with meal prep and serving, and district certified staff substituting when needed,” Caracciolo said. “This week we opened a free COVID testing site for our staff and are operating it with staff across all district departments. Face-to-face learning is what is best for our students, and we are all working together to make it happen!” Forsyth County Schools reported .39% active COVID-19 cases in stu-
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