Latest news with #AtlantaPublicSchools
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta Public Schools to give employees 10% raises
Atlanta Public Schools announced Friday that it was giving its frontline employees raises for the coming fiscal year. Last year, APS gave teachers an 11% raise. For FY2026, bus drivers, custodians and paraprofessionals will get a 10% boost to their wages. School nurses will also get a market adjustment, giving a 1% increase to registered nurses and a 2% increase to licensed practical nurses. 'I want to thank and give credit to the Atlanta Board of Education for continuing to support these financial initiatives for our hardworking staff members amid an increasingly challenging fiscal landscape,' said APS Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson. 'Their support affirms the importance of investing in the people who power our mission, and who educate, support, and care for the students of Atlanta Public Schools.' All APS employees can also expect a salary step increment for the coming school year, according to officials. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Rivian names Atlanta site as its new East Coast headquarters MARTA CEO steps down, citing 'immigration status, personal matters' Body of third person, a 10-year-old girl, found in GA river [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Atlanta Beltline Celebrates New Addition to Westside Trail, Creating the Longest Continuous Trail in Corridor
The 1.3-mile Westside Trail–Segment 4 project connects communities from Pittsburgh Yards to Blandtown, delivering 6.7 miles of uninterrupted pathway alongside historic Washington Park ATLANTA, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Atlanta Beltline, Inc. President and CEO Clyde Higgs, elected officials from Fulton County and Atlanta Public Schools, and other community leaders held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating a major milestone for the Beltline by creating the longest uninterrupted length of trail to date. With the completion of Westside Trail–Segment 4, walkers, runners and cyclists can now travel 6.7 continuous miles along the Atlanta Beltline, from University Avenue in southwest Atlanta to Huff Road in northwest Atlanta with the completion of Westside Trail–Segment 4. When construction is finished in 2030, the rail-to-trail infrastructure project will create a 22-mile loop around the City of Atlanta plus 11 miles of connector trails. This finished trail segment brings the total mainline loop to 12.6 miles of delivered trail, complemented by 10.3 miles of connector trails. "I grew up here in Atlanta, served on this board as a council member, and now as your mayor. Atlanta is my home. These trails, these homes, these businesses… this is how we build a stronger and more connected city," said Atlanta Mayor Dickens. "Thank you to the Beltline team, our partners, and everyone who's helped make this possible." The newly constructed trail segment stretches 1.3 miles from the existing Westside Trail terminus at Lena Street north to Law Street, where it connects to the Westside Beltline Connector and Westside Trail–Segment 3. It transforms a fragmented pathway into a seamless corridor that runs along Washington Park, weaving through neighborhoods where streets honor Civil Rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Joseph E. Boone and Joseph Lowery. "We are celebrating more than an infrastructure project. Today is a celebration of connecting communities and honoring the rich history that defines our city," said Higgs. "As trail users travel these 6.7 continuous miles, they're moving through neighborhoods born from resilience, built by Black architects and builders, and shaped by generations of community pride. This extension ensures that legacy is honored as we build toward our vision of a complete 22-mile loop in 2030." Finishing Segment 4 is the culmination of a two-phase construction approach. Section A, spanning 0.5 miles, opened in fall 2024, while Section B, celebrated today, covers the remaining 0.8 miles. Washington Park holds particular significance as Atlanta's first designated recreational space for African Americans. Created during the segregation era, the park originally featured a swimming pool, dance hall, pavilions and tennis courts, providing a long-awaited sanctuary for leisure and community gatherings. The neighborhood surrounding the park emerged from the ashes of the Great Atlanta Fire of 1917, developing into one of Atlanta's first planned Black suburbs under the leadership of Heman E. Perry. Washington Park flourished as a thriving enclave for the city's African American middle class, with homes and institutions crafted by Black architects and builders during an era of systemic barriers. In a tribute to the historical significance of Washington Park, Higgs, joined by Councilmember Byron Amos and The Conservancy at Historic Washington Park Board Chair Christi Jackson unveiled the park's new historical sign. Positioned at the gateway to the Westside Trail and the adjacent park, the marker commemorates Washington Park's enduring legacy. As Washington Park enters its second century, this section of the Westside Trail ensures this pillar of resilience and community pride remains integral to the Beltline's 22-mile vision. "The Westside Trail serves not only as a symbol of the community's storied past but also its ongoing commitment to growth, development, and prosperity as a longstanding, vital and vibrant community. In the design of the Westside Trail – Segment 4, we celebrate the City for its inclusive vision of innovation and entrepreneurship and the Beltline for its commitment to community engagement," said Christi Jackson, Board President of The Conservancy at Historic Washington Park. "This segment showcases the trail as a simple and cohesive way to bring the various areas of our city closer together, encouraging all of us to enjoy the great outdoors, arts and entertainment, and an interesting range of opportunities for discovery and engagement across and around our whole city." The 14-foot-wide concrete multi-use path features three-foot soft shoulders on each side, complemented by thoughtful design elements including stainless steel handrails, LED lighting, and security cameras. Green infrastructure manages stormwater while environmental remediation addresses the corridor's industrial past. Ramps and stairs link the trail to adjoining streets, ensuring accessibility for surrounding communities. Funding for the Beltline comes primarily from public sources through the Beltline Tax Allocation District, supported by Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton County and the City of Atlanta, along with Beltline Special Service District investors. Lead philanthropic support from the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Inc. and The James M. Cox Foundation is supporting construction of the full trail corridor. The project required coordination among numerous partners, including Atlanta Regional Commission, Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, Atlanta Department of Transportation, and Atlanta Watershed Management, Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Power, MARTA, Invest Atlanta, Trees Atlanta, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Alta led trail design with support from subcontractors Sherwood Design Engineers, Sastry and Associates, Planners for Environmental Quality, TerraMark, United Consulting, Roosevelt Powell and Associates, Palacio Collaborative, Grice Consulting Group, Arborguard Tree Specialists, and Long Engineering. Astra Group served as the construction firm. Ribbon cutting photos here. About Atlanta Beltline, Beltline, Inc. is the official implementation agency for the Atlanta Beltline. Its vision is to be the catalyst for making Atlanta a global beacon for equitable, inclusive and sustainable city life. As one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the United States, the Atlanta Beltline is building a more socially and economically resilient Atlanta with our partner organizations and host communities through job creation, inclusive transportation systems, affordable housing and public spaces for all. For more information on the Atlanta Beltline, please visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Atlanta BeltLine, Inc.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Yahoo
Fulton County school board approves policy that restricts K-8 students from using electronics
On Wednesday, the Fulton County School Board voted in favor of a new policy that would restrict K-8 students from using their electronic devices during the upcoming school year. 'Such as laptops, cell phones, Google glasses, Apple watches for use during instructional time,' Fulton County Chief Communication Officer Brian Noyes said. Noyes says that during the past year, students already adhered to a student code of conduct that restricted lower-grade students from using electronic devices. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The new change now includes middle school students in Fulton County. Noyes adds that high school students in Fulton County schools don't typically use personal electronics during instructional time unless teachers approve. Atlanta Public Schools officials recently said they are considering changes for how to manage cell phone use among high school students. TRENDING STORIES: Swimmer airlifted to Savannah area hospital after being bitten by shark Deaths of couple who vanished on Lake Oconee spawning massive search ruled accidental Man tries to break into Cobb County home while woman was in bed, police say [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Atlanta Public Schools announces new first day of school, 13 new principals
Summer vacation may be just a couple of weeks old, but school districts are deep into planning for the new year. Atlanta Public Schools and the Atlanta Board of Education announced an updated first day of school for the 2025-2026 school year. It will be Monday, Aug. 4. The previous date was Friday, Aug. 1. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] APS has appointed 13 new principals for the new school year, effective July 1: Gerard Latimore, Benteen Elementary School: Latimore has more than a decade of experience in education and leadership, including as an assistant principal and former instructional coach at Benteen. Heather P. Stephenson, Bolton Academy: Stephenson's more than 20 years of experience includes serving Atlanta Public Schools since 2005 in a variety of roles, including teacher, special education lead teacher and assistant principal. She is currently interim principal at Bolton Academy. Holly Brookins, Burgess-Peterson Elementary School: Brookins has more than a decade of school leadership experience. As a principal in a neighboring district, she has led her school to achieve state recognitions. Keenya Jackson, Cleveland Avenue Elementary School: Jackson's wealth of experience includes roles as a teacher, instructional coach and curriculum support teacher. She is currently an assistant principal in a neighboring school district. Chendra Dupree, Herman J. Russell West End Academy: Dupree's experience includes school and district roles, including instructional and literacy coach, as well as intervention coach. She is currently a high school principal. Langston Longley, John Lewis Invictus Academy: Longley has served Atlanta Public Schools since 2004 in a variety of roles. He's been a principal for the past 10 years. He was named Principal of the Year by Communities in Schools in 2023. Chante' Blackwell, Perkerson Elementary School: Blackwell brings a wealth of experience at the school and district levels, including as a leader support specialist and assistant principal. She is currently supporting the assessment office in a neighboring district. Lami Ojezua, Scott Elementary School: Ojezua joined APS in 2007 and served in numerous roles, including continuous improvement coordinator, assistant principal, and most recently, interim principal. Stacey Welsh Perot, Smith Elementary School: Perot has three decades of education experience, including teaching, instructional leadership and school administration. She's a former 'Teacher of the Year' and currently a principal at Garden Hills Elementary. Phillip Braziel, South Atlanta High School: Braziel has been a classroom teacher, master scheduler, and assistant principal. He has been previously nominated for Assistant Principal of the Year and previously honored as a Teacher of the Year. Octavius Harris, Therrell High School: Harris has severed in multiple roles within APS, including teacher, assistant principal and principal. He's currently a principal in a neighboring district. Dante Edwards, interim principal, Garden Hills Elementary School: Edwards has served APS since 2002 in a variety of roles as a teacher and an administrator, including assistant principal, magnet coordinator and principal. Kimberly Latchman, interim principal, Maynard H. Jackson High School: Latchman has more than 20 years of experience in education. At Maynard Jackson High School, she has served as an instructional coach and, most recently, as assistant principal. The board previously announced seven other new principals last month: Brian Baron, Morningside Elementary School; Summer Clayton, E. Rivers Elementary School; Tiauna Crooms, Booker T. Washington High School; Shermain Jennings, Frederick Douglass High School; Angela Mitchell, North Atlanta High School; Kristy Reese, L.O. Kimberly Elementary School; and Adib Shakir, Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy. TRENDING STORIES: Giant tree crashes into another, sends it toppling onto Cobb County rental home Swimmer seriously injured in boating incident on GA lake Atlanta-area rapper sentenced for bringing stolen loaded 'machine gun' into hospital labor unit [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Atlanta city leaders offer teens fun and safe options for the summer
School is out for the summer in Atlanta, and city leaders are going all out to keep teens out of trouble. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens spoke at the Dunbar Recreation Center about the city's plans to offer teens options to have fun and keep busy this summer. Dickens said that if you cut down on youth crime, all crime goes down. 'And it has. And a big part of that is giving our young people something to do,' Dickens said. The pool and splashpad at the recreation center are now open. Last week, the city opened all of its pools and launched the Summer Youth Employment program. Mika Warner participated in that program and now attends Southern University. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'I was not only able to work the most hours I had ever worked in my life, but I was able to get real 'hands-on' office experience,' Warner said. The mayor's office has partnered with Atlanta Public Schools to make some of its facilities available so that the next couple of months will be fun and safe. 'How do we best utilize every square foot we have to give these young people everything they deserve?' Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson said. The mayor said more than 3,000 teens will be able to take part in the city's employment program. 'Giving them guidance. Giving them mentorship. And giving them a job for those who want it,' Dickens said. TRENDING STORIES: Trump announces travel ban and restrictions on 19 countries set to go into effect Monday Case of mistaken identity ends with young mother killed in alleged Atlanta gang shooting Doorbell camera captures man dragging dog down street in Fulton County [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
