What Should Forsyth's New Elementary School Be Named?

Forsyth County Schools' Board of Education is set to consider a timeline to name a new elementary school, which would be the system's 21st such school, at its business meeting set for Thursday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m.

Next month, the board is expected to consider a 5-year plan, the top priority of which would be a new elementary school. Spokeswoman Jennifer Caracciolo said the school is projected to relieve overcrowding at three existing schools southwest of the city of Cumming—Midway, Vickery Creek and Shiloh Point elementary schools.

It apparently would be located in south Forsyth near the Fulton County line and the three existing schools, which are shown on the map above.

Having trouble viewing the map of Forsyth County elementary schools on your mobile device? Click here.

The estimated cost of the new school, projected to open in 2016, is $11.3 million. Forsyth Schools next year plan to ask voters to approve a bond referendum, which would allow it to borrow money to fund such capital projects.

The system currently is working to create a list a projects for the 2014 referendum, which officials say would address four areas: growth, improvements to existing schools, safety and security, and technology, according to its website. Voters in 2011 approved the continuation of a 1-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for five years to make payments on 2005 and 2007 bonds. Those bonds were used in part to construct nine new schools.

The system has grown to about 40,668 students, hundreds more than administrators had expected for the 2013-2014 school year. By the 2017-2018 school year, officials anticipate Forsyth Schools will accommodate nearly 47,000 students.

Forsyth is seventh-fastest growing county in the nation, according to Forbes.

The school board meets at the Forsyth County Board of Education and Professional Development Center, 1120 Dahlonega Highway in Cumming. 

See the full agenda here.

Tell us what you think in the comments, share your photos and videos, and don’t miss any of the local news you care about—subscribe to Cumming Patch’s free newsletter, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

• New Schools, Additions To Existing Facilities in Forsyth's 5-Year Plan
• Forsyth County Schools' Enrollment Tops 40,500
  
• Forsyth 'Forbes' 7th Fastest Growing County in Nation