For the second time time in recent memory, one of the largest school systems in the area - Hall County's - is not expecting an increase in enrollment, and this year, at least two other systems, Jefferson City and White County, are in the same boat. For the others, while they may be expecting an increase in the number of students this year it is not as much as in recent years. It's a result of the continued slowing in residential growth in the area - meaning not as many new people relocating... leading to fewer new students. Teachers and other school system personnel are being asked again to take unpaid furloughs during the year and the capital outlay from the state continues to shrink.
Once again, fewer new schools are opening this year and major renovations of existing buildings were not as common this summer as in recent years. (See separate story titled: Back-to-School At-a-Glance, which lists each school's opening date, expected enrollment, and whether they will open new schools and what, if any, major renovations occurred over the summer.)
HALL COUNTY
The only major work over the summer in Hall County was on the Lanier Career Charter Academy addition. "Other than that," Supt. Will Schofield said, " (we had) just the standard repairs and renovations."
The projected enrollment this year is 26,000. A year ago, it was 25,094 and two years ago, it was 25,133.
Classes in Hall County begin Monday August 9.
GAINESVILLE CITY
The Gainesville School System expects between 6,917 students on the first day of class, an increase of 385 over the first-day projections last year.
Gainesville is opening one new school - Wood's Mill Academy, which will become the city's eighth school and will serve grades 6-12.
"This is a non-traditional middle and high school program," Supt. Merrianne Dyer said. "This school began in January of 2010 with a pilot program of 30 students. This school is a 'blended learning environment which means that the coursework is delivered through computer based modules with teachers facilitating, providing hands-on labs or activities, and guiding students through the course sequence path."
It is located in the old middle school facility. Gainesville opened a new middle school a year ago.
Classes in Gainesville begin Monday August 9.
GWINNETT, FORSYTH
Just like last year, the Gwinnett and Forsyth systems appear least affected by the recession in terms of student population growth and the need for new facilities.
Gwinnett will be opening eight new buildings this year, seven of which are new schools. A total of 512 new classrooms are opening this year, including the new schools and additions to existing schools.
The new schools are:
Burnette Elementary School-- 3221 Burnette Road in Suwanee
Ferguson Elementary School-- 1755 Centerview Drive in Duluth
Jenkins Elementary School-- 12 Village Way in Lawrenceville
Roberts Elementary School-- 251 Buford Highway in Suwanee
Anderson-Livsey Elementary School-- 4521 Centerville Highway in Snellville
Grace Snell Middle School-- 3800 Brushy Fork Road in Loganville
Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology (opened for freshman class in August 2007 at Duluth High campus)
Lanier High School -- 918 Buford Highway in Buford
In Forsyth County, where five new school opened last fall, the most at anyone time in the county, no new schools are opening this year. Major renovations include the science labs at South Forsyth High School and the new iAchieve Virtual Academy for grades 6-12 for in- and out-of-county residents.
Classes in Gwinnett and Forsyth begin Monday August 9.
(Details about the opening dates for private schools in Hall County are included in the At-a-Glance story mentioned above.)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2010/8/231170