DeKalb County Schools to break ground on new Sequoyah middle, high schools
Channel 2 Action News first told you in April when the school board approved the Sequoyah Middle School and Sequoyah High School project.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Superintendent Dr. Devon Horton, board members and other school officials will speak at a groundbreaking ceremony at 2 p.m.
The new Sequoyah Middle School and future Sequoyah High School will be on the same campus on Aztec Road.
The schools will share some facilities, like the new sports fields and gymnasiums.
Channel 2's Steve Gehlbach spoke with Sequoyah Middle School Principal Sedrick Anthony when the project was approved.
'People are excited, now able to see [it] come to fruition,' he said.
TRENDING STORIES:
Braves celebrate 20 millionth fan to Truist Park
Woman says she was tricked when selling car online using Zelle
Civil Rights icon, former Ambassador Andrew Young honored at tribute for his 93rd birthday
The new schools are needed for the growing city of Doraville, but also encompass the Buford Highway corridor from Chamblee to Norcross.
Anthony said the current student population is more than 90% Hispanic, with English as a second language.
He said the new schools will reenergize students, staff and the community as a whole.
'I would say a significant investment in students that have typically been marginalized so have opportunity to say you're important and you're invested,' Anthony said.
The final contact approved by the school board includes a $230 million education special local option sales tax, or E-SPLOST.
The middle school is expected to be finished first in 2027 followed by the new high school in 2029.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Is Ford Stock Worth Buying Now on its EV Strategy Shift?
Ford F is rewriting its electric playbook. After a few tough years in the EV market, the automaker is steering away from high-priced models and aiming for affordability. The new plan revolves around a fresh platform designed for a lineup of lower-cost EVs. It's an ambitious bet that could reshape Ford's position in the EV race if executed well. At this point, it's worth asking whether it makes sense to buy Ford stock now. But first, let's look at why the company needed a strategy shift and what's included in its new plan. Ford's New Play: Affordable EVs Ford's latest plan centers around the new Ford Universal EV Platform, which will underpin a family of lower-cost electric models. The first in line will be a midsize, four-door electric pickup, with an expected starting price of around $30,000. Production will take place at the Louisville Assembly Complex in Kentucky, backed by a $5 billion investment that will add nearly 4,000 jobs. Deliveries of the model are slated to begin in 2027. Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! Great Rates and Award-Winning Service The Insurance Savings You Expect Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You Ford CEO Jim Farley has called the company's new affordable EV push its next 'Model T moment.' Alongside the new pickup, Ford is delaying its large electric truck and van to 2028. Meanwhile, it's deepening focus on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which will be assembled in the United States. This is a first for any automaker in America and should help reduce costs while freeing up vehicle interior space. The new platform streamlines production. Ford says it reduces parts by 20%, fasteners by 25%, and plant workstations by 40%, cutting assembly times by about 15%. These efficiencies are crucial for keeping the $30,000 target price realistic — especially with shifting U.S. EV policies under President Donald Trump, including the planned end of EV tax credits after Sept. 30. Why Ford's EV Business Needed a Rejig In 2021, Ford made headlines with the Mustang Mach-E, followed by the F-150 Lightning and an electric van a year later. The quick rollout initially put it ahead of other legacy automakers like General Motors GM. But as EV sales growth slowed, material costs soared, and Tesla TSLA began aggressive price cuts, Ford's EV business started looking less appealing. Ford's electric vehicle business has been a drag on its bottom line. Over the past two and a half years, the division has racked up roughly $12 billion in losses, including $2.17 billion in just the first half of this year. In contrast, General Motors took a slower, more methodical path to EV production. It focused on developing standardized batteries to lower costs and formed joint ventures that quickly built battery plants. As a result, General Motors sold over 46,000 EVs in the second quarter (second only to Tesla)— more than double Ford's total — and now offers more than 10 electric models, ranging from the $35,000 Chevrolet Equinox EV to the $130,000 Cadillac Escalade IQ. Meanwhile, Chinese companies like BYD Co Ltd BYDDY have surged ahead globally. BYD now sells more EVs than any Western manufacturer, producing them at a fraction of the cost and putting pressure on U.S. automakers to rethink their strategies. In fact, BYD dethroned Tesla in EV sales for the third straight quarter in battery EV sales in the second quarter of 2025. Tariffs & Recalls to Weigh on Ford Ford's challenges extend beyond EV losses. The company has faced costly recalls and repairs on its gasoline-powered lineup, denting profits from its core truck and SUV business. Tariffs are another growing headache. In the second quarter alone, Ford absorbed $800 million in tariff-related costs. It now expects a net $2 billion tariff hit for 2025, up from earlier forecasts. The gross impact could be as high as $3 billion, though Ford aims to offset $1 billion through cost-cutting Ford has been leading the auto industry in recalls so far in 2025. These headwinds contrast with GM's steadier profitability in recent years and highlight how far Ford must go to stabilize its earnings. And while BYD's low-cost manufacturing model poses a serious threat in global markets, it also sets a benchmark Ford will need to match or beat if it hopes to gain share internationally. F Not Without Strengths It's not all bad news. Ford's Pro division, which serves commercial and government fleets, continues to perform well. Hybrid sales are growing, giving Ford a hedge as EV adoption slows. The company also boasts a strong balance sheet and an attractive dividend yield, appealing to long-term income-focused investors. The Zacks Rundown on Ford Stock Shares of Ford have increased around 10% over the past year, underperforming the industry. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, F trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 0.27, below the industry average. It carries a Value Score of A. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research See how the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Ford's earnings has been revised over the past 60 days. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Bottom Line on Ford Ford's new EV strategy has potential, especially if it can deliver a $30,000 electric pickup with decent margins. The shift to U.S.-made LFP batteries and streamlined production is a smart response to rising costs and fierce competition from Tesla, GM and BYD. But the benefits are still years away. Also, lest we forget, the company has scaled back some of its earlier EV ambitions, pausing one of four planned battery plants. CEO Jim Farley has, in fact, warned that there are 'no guarantees' the new manufacturing approach will succeed. For now, the focus is on proving the economics of its affordable EV program before scaling further. For new investors, it may be too soon to jump in. The stock could gain momentum once Ford shows real progress in executing its affordable EV plans and improving profitability. Until then, patience may pay off. Existing shareholders, however, can take comfort in Ford's dividend and long-term prospects — provided they're willing to weather some short-term bumps along the way. F stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Ford Motor Company (F) : Free Stock Analysis Report General Motors Company (GM) : Free Stock Analysis Report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA) : Free Stock Analysis Report Byd Co., Ltd. (BYDDY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tesla is willing to pay up to $33.66 an hour for robotaxi test operators in NYC. Here's what the job entails.
Tesla is offering up to $33.66 an hour base pay to robotaxi test drivers in NYC, job listings show. Drivers need to be "tech-savvy" and familiar with autonomous driving. The move comes as the robotaxi competition heats up, though Tesla hasn't applied for permits in NYC. New York City streets: honking cabs, zig-zagging delivery bikes, pedestrians with little respect for traffic lights, and, perhaps soon, Tesla robotaxi testers. As Tesla lays the groundwork to expand its robotaxi service to more US cities, recent job listings indicate that it's hiring autonomous vehicle operators in the Big Apple to help it do so. Tesla is hiring prototype vehicle operators in Queens, New York, to operate engineering cars with "autonomous driving systems" and collect driving data, according to a job listing on the company's website titled "Vehicle Operator, Autopilot." The gig pays up to $33.66 an hour, but not all drivers will be paid the same amount, according to the posting. A Test Operator I can make between $25.25 and $27.60 an hour base pay, while a Test Operator II drivers earn between $28.75 and $30.60 an hour base (minimum wage for large employers in New York City is $16.50). Anyone working an afternoon or night shift makes 10% more than the base pay, which would bring the hourly pay up to $33.66 at the highest pay range, and all are eligible for Tesla benefits. Applicants should be able to work a "flexible schedule," the posting says, including availability on one weekend day. The gig is either Tuesday through Saturday or Sunday through Thursday, with two different day, afternoon, and night shifts available. It's not just driving a car — those who get the gig will need to operate recording devices, debug software as needed, collect and analyze audio and camera data, and give detailed feedback. The ideal applicant has to have good English communication skills, be "tech-savvy with experience managing tools for data collection and troubleshooting with advanced PC skills," and be familiar with autonomous driving systems. Tesla is also hiring test drivers in other cities, with job postings listed in Texas, Florida, and California. The electric vehicles news outlet InsideEVs previously reported that Tesla was also hiring drivers in Brooklyn. The listings in Florida and Texas don't include pay details, but New York law requires businesses with four or more employees to include salary ranges in any job postings. Drivers in Palo Alto, California, can make the same amount as those in Queens, according to Tesla's jobs board. A spokesperson for New York City's Department of Transportation confirmed to BI that Tesla hasn't applied for a permit to test autonomous vehicles on the city's streets, as CNBC earlier reported. The city rolled out safety requirements for autonomous vehicles last year, and a press release called New York "the country's most challenging urban environment." Tesla is currently operating a limited group of robotaxis in Austin, Texas, with safety employees in the passenger seat. In San Francisco, Tesla has begun offering its ride-hailing service with safety employees in the driver's seat ready to take over if needed. During Tesla's earnings call in July, Musk said that the company is working to launch autonomous ride-hailing in "most of the country" eventually, and predicted that the service would likely be available in "probably half of the population of the US by the end of the year," depending on regulatory approvals. Representatives for Tesla didn't respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Tesla's job listings often shed insight on the company's direction and product road map. Last year, Tesla offered people up to $48 per hour to help train its Optimus humanoid robot. Public registration data also reveals that Tesla has ramped up its efforts to test autonomous vehicles in California over the last year. Business Insider's Grace Kay previously reported that test drivers for Tesla's self-driving cars sometimes navigated dicey situations on open streets and were encouraged to push the technology to its limit. Earlier this month, a Florida jury found Tesla partly liable for a crash in 2019 that killed a 22-year-old woman, and a group of company shareholders recently sued the company and CEO Elon Musk over its robotaxi service, alleging its robotaxis violate traffic laws. Tesla's job listings are the latest indicator that the robotaxi wars are heating up, as Lyft joins the fray in Europe and Alphabet-owned Waymo leads the market in the US. In June, Waymo applied for a permit to test robotaxis in New York City. Are you a robotaxi test driver or do you have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at atecotzky@ or Signal at alicetecotzky.05. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely. Read the original article on Business Insider Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
India visit & T20 hope - 'belief' lifts Ireland
Outgoing Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom says a "sense of belief" has been key to the changing status of the sport in the country. The Englishman, who will leave the organisation this month, has been in the position since September 2006, and overseen elevation to full member status of the ICC, historic World Cup victories over Pakistan, England and West Indies, and the advent of professional contracts in the men's and women's game. "When I arrived, I think I was one of the very few people who did believe," he told BBC Sport NI's Gavin Andrews. "I think our players got it, I think they definitely saw the talent that was here and they believed - and you saw that from their performances on the pitch. "My job was probably to try to get Irish cricket not to think of itself as the 19th English county, but to think of itself, as it became soon after the end of the World Cup in 2007, as the 10th best country in the world." Plan aims to make cricket a 'major sport' in Ireland Irish government approves national cricket stadium While there have been more recent budgetary concerns and fixture cancellations, Deutrom believes there is an exciting future for his unnamed successor with attempts to host India next year, the joint staging of the 2030 T20 World Cup and, most importantly, approved plans for a 4,000-capacity permanent stadium. "The next five years - [In] 2026 we hope we can have India turning up. I'm going to be working on that over the next few weeks," he added. "Also 2027 is the first year of our new media rights deal and, 2028, cricket is returned to the Olympics after a long, long time. [In] 2029, the first ball bowled in our brand new international stadium in Dublin and, 2030, co-hosting the ICC T20 World Cup. "There's lots of skyscrapers on an annual basis to look forward to and, genuinely, to build in terms of opportunity. So if I was looking at that job anew, I'd say that is a job I'd love to do." 'You suddenly are bringing people to your home' Ireland cancelled visits from Australia in 2024 and Afghanistan this year, with Deutrom citing at the time that the prohibitive cost of temporary stadium infrastructure was a key factor in the decisions. As such, the plans for a permanent and dedicated home are crucial. The National Cricket Stadium and High Performance Centre, which will be located in the National Sports Campus in Dublin, is to include a main cricket oval with permanent seating for 4,000 spectators with the ability to accommodate additional temporary seating when required. There are also ambitions to upgrade the existing facilities at Stormont in Belfast too. "Operationally, suddenly it means hundreds of thousands [of euros] that we would otherwise spend on developing or building temporary infrastructure goes," added Deutrom. "So that is number one and number two, you have an asset you can [use] commercially. "Number three, I've always felt the lack of a stadium somehow marked out Irish cricket as a minnow sport. When we have a stadium, you are suddenly bringing people to your home."
