NGTC, Stephens Co. Schools Partnering With Driver’s Ed

A partnership will allow students in Stephens County to continue to have access to a free driver’s education class.

Stephens County School Superintendent Bryan Dorsey made the announcement at a Stephens County Board of Education work session on Thursday.

As part of the budget reduction plan approved last month by the Stephens County Board of Education, driver’s education was slated to no longer be free, but be a class that students that participated would have to pay for.

However, Dorsey said that the school system has now been able to work out something with North Georgia Technical College to continue that program at no cost to students.

“North Georgia Tech is now going to be offering driver’s ed to our students for free,” said Dorsey. “That would most likely be on campus. That has been a blessing to get.”

Dorsey said it is his understanding that program may start up as soon as this summer.

Meanwhile, that budget reduction plan also included a reduction in force of 40.5 positions, of which 17 were to be absorbed through retirement or resignation as of last month.

That would have meant 23.5 staff people losing jobs.

Dorsey said that they have been able to absorb more positions and lower the number of individuals that have not been absorbed from 23.5 to 11.

“There are still 11 positions we are trying to place,” said Dorsey.