Fayette schools get grant for safer shoes

Lunch ladies and other food service workers in Fayette County public schools will soon be provided with better slip-resistant shoes thanks to a state grant.

The system applied for and received a $5,000 grant from the Georgia School Boards Association’s Risk Management Services division to purchase new shoes for all school nutrition employees. “Many of our employees are on a low, fixed income and can only afford a low-quality slip-resistant shoe,” said nutrition director Kokeeta Wilder. However, slips and falls from kitchen hazards are the most frequent injury for such workers, and the average cost of a single incident is $2,600.

Fayette was among 13 school systems selected from 50 that applied for the grant program, which is now in its fourth year.