Augusta, GA
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 feedback 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.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
TikToker cleans father’s hoarded house – and goes viral
Madison Lovelle posts videos online while going through and cleaning her childhood home after her father died.
Housing costs are often the biggest Georgians deal with every month, so it’s important to try and save money where possible.
Last week, WalletHub released its ranking of the most affordable cities to buy a home. It analyzed 300 cities based on 10 metrics, with the biggest weight going to housing affordability and cost per square foot.
Best city to buy a home in Georgia?
Augusta ranked the highest among Georgia cities, ranking 8th overall and 3rd best in the midsized cities list.
Augusta real estate prices
According to Zillow, as of March, the median list price for a house in Georgia is $205,000 with a median sale price of $187,283. About 57% of sales are under the list price.
The average rent, as of April, is $1,365 per month.
Augusta cost of living
The MIT Living Wage Calculator reports the hourly pay needed to support yourself and/or your family, assuming full-time employment. For Richmond County (Augusta), it’s $20.31 for one adult, $28.16 for a two-adult household with one working, and $14.08 for a two-adult household with both working.
Children obviously increase the wage needed. Depending on how many adults are working, the necessary pay figures may increase by up to $13 for just one child, with more needed for additional children.
Worst city to buy a home in Georgia?
The Georgia city with the lowest ranking on the list overall was Sandy Springs. However, with 300 cities, landing at No. 151 doesn’t make it nearly the worst in the nation. Sandy Springs was No. 56 on the small cities list.
What are the best cities to buy a home in US?
- Flint, MI
- Detroit, MI
- Surprise, AZ
- Yuma, AZ
- Akron, OH
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Memphis, TN
- Augusta, GA
- Indianapolis, IN
- Cleveland, OH
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Senate candidate Derek Dooley made several visits to the area on Friday.
Dooley had stops in both Lincolnton and Augusta on May 29 and was joined by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp for his “Georgia First” tour. He spoke about one of the issues he finds in politics.
“But the other piece of it is the corruption. People sit on these committees. They have access to information that none of us have. And then you look up 2 or 3 years down the road and their wealth is just skyrocketing,” Dooley said. “You’re outperforming every investor out there. And I think it’s shameful. I think it erodes trust. It’s something that I will never do.”
“Politicians were out there getting paid. They were coming back home. They’re raising money and campaigning while the government shut down,” Kemp said. “What Derek’s saying, if he’s up there, we’re not going to allow legislators to get paid. We’re going to take away their benefits. That way, you won’t ever have another shutdown again.”
Dooley is facing Congressman Mike Collins in a runoff for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate.
The winner of the Republican nomination will face incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A man has been arrested after he was accused of hitting two women at Piedmont Hospital in Augusta.
The incident happened on May 14 around 12 a.m.
According to arrest warrants, Bruce Bland struck one victim with a closed hand several times in the face. Bland also threw a garbage can at the victim, hitting her in the head.
The warrant states the victim suffered a bruise on her face.
Bland also hit another victim with a closed hand on her mouth, according to the warrants. She suffered swelling and a bruise on her mouth.
Bland is charged with battery and simple battery, according to the warrants. Both charges are misdemeanors.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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