Some schools face closure under new Richmond County plan

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Richmond County School System has unveiled a master plan that could combine or eliminate current schools and create some new ones.

School leaders are asking for parent’s on the future plans.

There are still six public sessions for input before the finalized plan will be presented to the school board to be voted on.

“We have voted on nothing,” Richmond County Board of Education President Charlie Walker said during the board meeting on Tuesday night.

In the Facility Master Plan, it shares many data points.

One item addressed is school utilization. For example, some of the low numbers include Hornsby Middle is only 57% utilized, Glenn Hills High School being 57% and Hephzibah at 54%.

With project enrollments close to half of the total school’s capacity, the school system could make possible changes.

SEE THE FULL FACILITY MASTER PLAN:

Some changes could include closing Spirit Creek Middle School, sending some Glenn Hill High School students to Butler High School, Langford Middle School students would attend Tutt Middle School, and Glenn Hills Elementary School could be eliminated.

Monique Braswell, candidate for the District 5 seat on the board, said: “When we’re talking about Glenn Hills, we’re talking about something that’s possibly five years down the road. Who knows what’s going to happen within those five years? But at the end of the day, we don’t have enough kids to keep 51 schools open. Where are the children going?”

Laney High School alum Brian Green is also OK with possibly closing schools but thinks there are bigger issues that need to be addressed.

“I feel like they should do what’s necessary. I feel like we have more than enough schools, we don’t need any new schools, merging is one thing but we have to get to the core of the problem. We have to have a learning environment, a safe learning environment,” said Green.

SEE RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT:

What has been emphasized is this process is still ongoing, and the community is asked to be a part of the process.

Braswell said: “I think as a community, I think everyone needs to come out of all the appropriate times and be a part of the rest of the process because this is not over yet. This is definitely not over yet.”

Here is a list of dates and locations for each meeting:

• March 4 at 6 p.m. at A. Brian Merry Elementary School
• March 5 at 6 p.m. at Spirit Creek Middle and Gracewood Elementary School
• March 6 at 6 p.m. at Langford Middle and Tutt Middle School
• March 7 at 6 p.m. at Richmond Hill Elementary and Middle School
• March 11 at 6 p.m. at Belair Middle School
• March 12 at Central Office

Braswell says it’s important to make your voice heard.

“Come if you think that your school is in jeopardy of being closed, you need to come out,” said Braswell.

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