County by county news for Monday

Cobb

Cobb school board to consider budget

The Cobb County Board of Education approved a tentative $899 million budget for the 2015 fiscal year. The budget includes adding 300 teachers, a 1 percent pay restoration for staff, salary increases for eligible employees and no furlough days. The public may weigh in before the board vote May 23. Information: www.cobbk12.org.

Tucker McQueen for the AJC

Gwinnett

Privacy series to help avoid ID theft, fraud

The Gwinnett County Pubic Library and UGA Extension educators will host a free “Smart About Privacy” series to educate the public about identity theft, online security, and fraud. The first of the series Data-Smart: Steps to Prevent Identity Theft will be 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Suwanee Branch, 361 Main St. and again on May 21 at the Five Forks Branch, 2780 Five Forks-Trickum Rd. in Lawrenceville. No pre-registration required. Information: france.hernandez@gwinnettcounty.com or 678-377-4010.

Karen Huppertz for the AJC

DeKalb

School board candidate forum Tuesday

Ten of the 22 people running for DeKalb County school board pitched their candidacies at an election forum Tuesday.

An audience of about 60 turned up to watch the event at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center in south DeKalb.

A similar forum for the other 12 candidates occurred last week at Emory University, with a similar-sized crowd.

Despite the small turnout, the election on May 20 is a crucial one.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has not restored full accreditation after putting DeKalb on probation more than a year ago.

The agency has said this election is an important step for DeKalb, since the terms of the six board members appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal will end this year.

The forum was hosted by Leadership DeKalb.

Information: www.itsforthemdekalb.org. Ty Tagami

Fulton

Applications taken for youth commission

The Fulton County Office of Children and Youth is accepting applications for the Fulton County Youth Commission, a leadership program for future leaders. Participants become familiar with how local government resolves youth issues and make suggestions for the best solutions. Deadline: May 23.

Information: Andre.Danzy@fultoncountyga.gov, www.fultoncountyga.gov or 404-612-3099. Kent A. Miles for the AJC

Forsyth

Forsyth county offering fire camps

Forsyth County youngsters interested in learning what it takes to be a firefighter can sign up for a free week-long summer camp program.

The Junior Fire Academy for incoming seventh- and eighth-grade students will be held 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. July 28-Aug.1 at Forsyth County Fire Department Headquarters, 3520 Settingdown Road, Cumming. In addition, kids who have attended a prior camp can take part in a special two-day fire junior academy July 22-23.

Applications must be completed by May 16.