Forsyth County students return to class today with new bus-tracking technology and another round of afternoon storms in the forecast. County commissioners will also make decisions involving property taxes and voting precincts, while Alpharetta’s Planning Commission meets tonight and GA 400 construction continues.

Here are Thursday’s 10 North Atlanta stories worth knowing.

1. Forsyth County Students Return to School Today

Forsyth County Schools begins the 2026–27 academic year Thursday, bringing more than 54,000 students back to campuses across Cumming and South Forsyth.

School buses, car-rider lines and active school zones return throughout the county. The most noticeable traffic is expected around Peachtree Parkway, Old Atlanta Road, Windermere Parkway and roads serving Lambert, Denmark and South Forsyth high schools.

Elementary schools generally begin at 7:40 a.m., middle schools at 9 a.m. and high schools at 8:25 a.m., although families should follow their individual school’s instructions. Afternoon storms could further complicate the first dismissal.

Forsyth County Schools calendar and back-to-school information

2. Forsyth Adds Real-Time School-Bus Tracking

Families will have a new way to follow Forsyth County school buses this year.

The district has added GPS-based technology that allows parents to see the approximate location of their child’s bus and receive route information through a mobile system. The goal is to reduce uncertainty at bus stops, particularly during the opening weeks when routes commonly run behind schedule.

Parents should still have students waiting before the scheduled arrival time. Traffic, weather, substitute drivers and first-week safety checks can all create delays that are not immediately reflected in an estimated arrival.

WSB-TV’s report on Forsyth’s bus-tracking system and Forsyth County Schools transportation information

3. Forsyth Commissioners Make Their Final Property-Tax Decision

Forsyth County commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing and adopt the county’s 2026 millage rates Thursday evening.

The county proposes lowering its maintenance-and-operations rate from 4.791 to the calculated rollback rate of 4.727 mills. The fire rate would remain at 2.805 mills, while the bond rate would remain at 0.300 mills.

Officials estimate the M&O reduction would save approximately $16.64 on the county-government portion of the bill for a homesteaded property valued at $650,000. The decision is separate from the Forsyth County Schools tax rate.

The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the Forsyth County Administration Building, 110 E. Main Street in Cumming.

Forsyth County’s millage-rate proposal and August 6 meeting information

4. Forsyth Could Approve New Voting-Precinct Boundaries

Commissioners are also scheduled to take a final vote Thursday on revised voting-precinct boundaries.

The changes are intended to account for population growth, development and shifting voter concentrations. Adjusting boundaries can help keep individual polling locations from becoming overloaded, but it may also change where some residents vote in future elections.

Any changes approved Thursday would not replace the need to check an individual voter record before the November election. Residents affected by a precinct or polling-place change should receive updated information from the county.

Forsyth County precinct information and Board of Commissioners meeting page

5. Afternoon Storms Could Disrupt the First Forsyth Dismissal

North Atlanta faces another humid day with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon.

Cumming is expected to reach the mid-80s, with the best chance of thunderstorms overlapping with school dismissal and the evening commute. Suwanee, Johns Creek, Alpharetta and surrounding communities could also see localized downpours and lightning.

This is not expected to be a continuous regional rain event. Conditions may vary sharply between neighborhoods, but families should allow additional pickup time and be prepared for outdoor practices to be delayed.

National Weather Service hazardous-weather outlook and Cumming-area forecast

6. Gwinnett’s Newest Middle School Opens Nearly Full

Mary Kay Murphy Middle School welcomed its first students Wednesday, providing new space in one of Gwinnett County’s fastest-growing areas.

The school was designed for more than 1,000 students and opened with approximately 950 seats already assigned. Its immediate enrollment illustrates why the district proceeded with another campus even as it adjusts facilities elsewhere.

The new school is intended to relieve pressure on existing middle schools while giving the district some limited room for additional growth. Approximately 178,000 students returned across Gwinnett on Wednesday.

WSB-TV’s first-day report and Gwinnett County Public Schools

7. Alpharetta’s Planning Commission Meets Tonight

Alpharetta’s Planning Commission will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.

The commission provides recommendations on rezonings, comprehensive-plan amendments and changes to the city’s development regulations before qualifying cases reach the City Council.

Residents following a specific development should check the published packet before attending, as meeting agendas can change and individual applications may be postponed or withdrawn.

Alpharetta meeting portal and agenda and Planning Commission information

8. GA 400 Overnight Closures Continue Through Friday Morning

GA 400 drivers face one more night of scheduled closures around Roswell and Alpharetta as express-lanes construction continues.

Work has included lane closures between Roberts Drive and the North Springs MARTA station, along with additional restrictions near Mansell, Riverside and Holcomb Bridge roads. The schedule generally runs from approximately 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Thursday’s storm potential could delay or rearrange the work. Drivers traveling after 9 p.m. should check live conditions before leaving.

Current Georgia 511 conditions and closure details

9. Gwinnett Tech Will Close Both Campuses Friday

Gwinnett Technical College’s Alpharetta-North Fulton and Lawrenceville campuses will be closed Friday for planned maintenance.

The Alpharetta campus is located at 2875 Old Milton Parkway. Students needing registration, financial-aid or other services should confirm whether assistance remains available online before making a trip.

The college has also extended its fall late-registration and payment deadline through Wednesday, August 12.

Gwinnett Technical College notice

10. Johns Creek’s Thursday Zoning Meeting Has Been Canceled

Johns Creek will not hold the zoning public-participation meeting that had been scheduled for Thursday evening.

The city uses these sessions to give residents an early opportunity to hear about zoning applications and speak with applicants before formal hearings. The cancellation means there are no cases moving through that particular meeting tonight.

Residents following another zoning matter should consult the city’s schedule rather than assuming all August community-development meetings have been canceled.

Johns Creek cancellation notice and zoning meeting schedule