Richmond County school leaders give update on Belair Middle School
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Richmond County School District is providing an update on the construction of Belair Middle School.
Officials say due to unforeseen construction delays, there is a possibility that Belair Middle School, 150 Potential Way, may not be ready for students by the first day of school on Aug. 6.
“We are making this announcement now to ensure families have ample time to prepare for any potential adjustments,” the district said in the news release.
Leaders say the plan remains for all students to attend Belair Middle School next school year. However, they are prepared to temporarily send students to another school until Belair Middle is ready for students.
Piles of dirt and workers covered in paint is what you’ll see in the area where Belair Middle is supposed to be.
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“I just feel like they are unprepared,” said rising eighth grader, Alona McMillian.
The new school has some parents excited.
“I love that they are building a new middle school, which means my daughter will be the few newbies in a brand-new school,” said a parent, Christonia McMillian.
But Richmond County school leaders are concerned the construction workers might not make their deadline, and it’s causing a feeling of uncertainty for students like Alona.
“I feel uneasy because I do not really know where I am going to be at if that school is not done in time for the new school year,” said Alona.
Belair Middle is only a seven-minute ride from Alona’s old school, Belair K-8.
She says she wishes they’d started sooner on her new one.
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“If they knew they was going to split Belair K-8 into two different schools, they should have already started the preparation on the second school so it can be ready for this school year,” said Alona.
Alona says she knows there’s a need. She says her old school was crowded.
“It was already overflowing when it was a K-8 school,” said Alona.
Christonia said: “I am just excited to see what it looks like when there finally done and hear about her first day and her first week in a brand-new school.”
Officials say they are coordinating with transportation staff, cafeteria workers and school faculty to ensure a smooth transition.
According to the release, impacted families will be notified at least two weeks in advance if they determine the school will not be ready for students.
“We understand the importance of this new facility for our students coming from Bel Air K-8, Copeland, and Langford middle schools, as well as rising 6th graders from Sue Reynolds Elementary School. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to provide the best possible learning environment for our students,” the release states.
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