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.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Students showcased drones they built during a two-week summer camp at Augusta Regional Airport on Friday.
12 junior and high school students attended the camp, where they learned to fly and build drones designed to help others.
Anderson Puryear, a student, said the camp focused on delivering small medical supplies.
“It was focused on delivering small medical supplies like an EPI pen or glucose packet for like diabetics and for people with allergies in need in the real world that could obviously help save lives, and if people are like in a place in a boat or like in the desert or in the forest where they can’t easily access those supplies it can save their lives,” Puryear said.
The airport partnered with Georgia Tech, state troopers and the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Department for the Air Edu Summer Camp.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th annual Juneteenth Augusta Festival brought families to the Augusta Fairgrounds on Friday despite the muggy heat.
Cultural and community-focused events, live music performances and food trucks were available at the celebration.
Tonia Hill, attending the Juneteenth celebration, said she loves the holiday and is supporting the community, though she acknowledged the weather conditions.
“I love Juneteenth. And I’m supporting everybody. It’s hot. It’s hot. It’s hot,” Hill said.
The festival runs until 10 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center is seeing more families turn to its food pantry this summer as children lose access to school lunches.
Organizations like the Augusta Dream Center see a surge in families who relied on school lunches during the academic year, according to Hallie Kohan, assistant director.
“We see a lot more families that have young kids who are in need that simply don’t have those meals they are normally getting,” Kohan said. “We see an influx of families that come through.”
Demand is up, but the food supply is not keeping pace.
“Right now we are having some food distribution issues so while we are seeing an increase in families, we are seeing a decrease in the amount of food coming through our doors,” Kohan said.
The center is asking the community to host food drives or donate kid-friendly items such as mac and cheese and oatmeal.
Every Sunday the Dream Center opens its doors for a hot meal, serving as many as 120 people.
“Families can come in and get their hot meal. They sit down, it’s dignified, it’s a diner,” Kohan said. “It’s a welcoming experience for kids to come in and not feel like they are in need.”
No paperwork is required to receive help.
“Just because you think someone is in a great situation, in today’s economy you never know,” Kohan said. “It could be your neighbor, mom, or best friend.”
The Augusta Dream Center food pantry is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Thursdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Hot meals are served Sundays from 5 to 6 p.m.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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