Comprehensive Facilities Plan

Dear Families and Neighbors,

Over the past several weeks, we have had the privilege of listening to you. We have heard your stories, felt your passion, and gained a deeper understanding of the profound heritage that T.W. Josey High School represents.

Thank you for your patience as we navigated recent schedule changes due to inclement weather. This brief pause has ensured that we do not rush this vital process and that every voice has the opportunity to be heard. We invite you to join us for our rescheduled public hearings on February 9 and February 12. Consequently, the Board of Education has moved the final vote on the Master Plan to Monday, February 23.

We want to emphasize that the concerns raised during our meetings — including student cohesion, facility usage, and campus safety—are challenges we have been proactively addressing for months. Our staff has worked tirelessly, evaluating complex logistics and data to ensure a seamless transition. Our strategy has always centered on putting students first, which includes our commitment to keeping the Josey attendance zone open until the new school is ready for its debut.

Our planning also involves critical issues such as supporting the sports infrastructure already in place — this included the turf on the existing stadium, the baseball facility and the competition gym— which would offer the students the ability to continue competing in sports. We have also been considering factors behind the scenes, specifically regarding Georgia High School Association (GHSA) implications. We have meticulously considered how these shifts affect athletic eligibility, region alignment, and school classification. We understand how these decisions ripple out to impact not just Josey, but all schools within the district. We have planned accordingly to prioritize fairness and maintain a competitive environment for all our student athletes.

When we meet on February 23, if the Board moves forward with the Master Plan, it is our intent to introduce a formal motion to keep the T.W. Josey High School student body and staff together as one unit. This proposal facilitates a move where the Josey family transitions together into the Murphey campus facilities during the construction of the new academy. This was a complex, calculated decision. We have weighed every variable— from fiscal responsibility and logistical impact to construction timelines, which may extend from two years to three to accommodate this transition—but our priority remains doing what is right for our students. While the right path is not always the easiest or most popular, preserving the social, athletic, and academic cores of the Josey community is, and has always been, our North Star.

Regarding the name and history of the school, let us be clear: our intent has always been to honor the legacy of Dr. Thomas Walter Josey. To ensure this is handled with the respect it deserves, we will follow established policy by forming a Naming Committee, and we will follow the initial motion with a second motion to make this effective immediately. This committee will be comprised of you: alumni, students, staff, and community stakeholders. You will have a direct seat at the table to ensure that as we build for the future, we continue to honor the history that defines us.

As we chart the future of our school system, our goal is not just to change buildings, but to amplify the excellence that already exists. The Board and the Richmond County School System are committed to walking this path with you. By focusing on both innovation and community cohesion, we will emerge stronger. As we continue through this process, we encourage the community to attend the public hearings. You can also join us online if you cannot come in person, review frequently asked questions and more at rcboe.org/masterplan.

Thank you for your continued partnership,

Shawnda Stovall

President

Richmond County Board of Education, on behalf of the Richmond County Board of Education

The Richmond County Board of Education (RCBOE) has amended its schedule for public hearings regarding the proposed 2026 RCBOE Long-Range Facilities Master Plan. The initial change was due to inclement weather. These meetings provide an opportunity for community members to offer input on the district's future infrastructure, including proposed school consolidations and new construction.

Our updated meeting schedule is as follows:
- Public Hearing: Community Conversations: Feb 9. at 6:00 p.m., Barton Chapel Elementary School, 2329 Barton Chapel Rd., Augusta, GA 30906.
- Public Hearing: Community Conversations: Feb. 12, at 12:00 p.m., Central Office Board Room Auditorium, 864 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901.

A final vote on the 2026 proposed facilities master plan has been rescheduled to Feb. 23, 2026.

Public Access and Information These meetings are open to the public and will be livestreamed at rcboe.info/rcsslivestream. Detailed information regarding the 2026 Long-Range Facilities Master Plan, including frequently asked questions about school consolidations and the new Barton Chapel Elementary facility, is available on the Richmond County School System website at rcboe.org/masterplan.

The Richmond County Board of Education (RCBOE) announced updates to the public meeting schedule for the proposed 2026 RCBOE Long-Range Facilities Master Plan. Due to projected inclement weather, the public hearings originally scheduled for Monday, Jan. 26, and Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, have been canceled. Both public hearings will be rescheduled.

A formal notice regarding the rescheduled dates and times for 2026 proposed master plan hearings will be released soon. These meetings remain open to the public and will be broadcast live via livestream.

The Long-Range Facilities Master Plan outlines critical infrastructure improvements and future growth strategies for the Richmond County School System. Community members are encouraged to stay informed by visiting the Richmond County School System website for further schedule updates and to review master plan documents prior to the hearings.

The Richmond County Board of Education voted Tuesday to approve three public hearings on the district’s long-range facilities master plan. Beginning in January, residents are invited to attend hearings where district leaders will present proposed school consolidations and future investments aimed at expanding academic and career opportunities for students. 

“This is about creating learning environments that support student success today and into the future,” said Board of Education President Shawnda Stovall. “Consolidating schools helps us ensure equitable access to high-quality programs, extracurricular opportunities, and the strongest staff possible across our system. These decisions allow us to use our resources responsibly while keeping students at the center of every choice.” 

The Board will host a series of public hearings to answer questions and gather feedback from families, staff, and community members. All meetings are open to the public: 

• Jan. 15 — T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School, 1701 15th St., Augusta, GA 30901, 6 p.m. 

• Jan. 26 — Barton Chapel Elementary School, 2329 Barton Chapel Road, Augusta, GA 30906, 6 p.m. 

• Jan. 27 — RCSS Central Office, Board Auditorium, 864 Broad St., Augusta, GA 30901, noon 

The proposed plan also includes the development of a new college and career academy for high school students across the district. The academy would expand access to career pathways, hands-on learning experiences and workforce-aligned programs. District leaders have identified the existing joint campus of T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School and Murphey Middle School as the proposed site, which would require the closure of both schools at the start of the 2026–27 school year to allow for development of the new facility. 

In addition, Barton Chapel Elementary School will close at the end of the 2025–26 school year and consolidate with Glenn Hills Elementary School in anticipation of a new elementary school facility planned for the Barton Chapel campus, expected to open in fall 2028. As part of the broader facilities plan, Jenkins-White Elementary School is also proposed for closure beginning in the 2026–27 school year. 

Community input will remain central as the Long-Range Facilities Master Plan is refined. Feedback from these meetings will help guide final recommendations. No decisions will be made until the conclusion of the final public hearing, when the Board is expected to vote on a finalized plan Feb. 10. 

As we continue planning for the future, we want to reassure our families, employees, and community members that there will be no school closures or facility changes this spring. Over the next several months, we will re-engage with stakeholders—including families, staff, and school board members—to refine our long-term plan. Discussions about facility planning will resume later this summer and fall, and we encourage you to join the conversation.

Our Focus: Safe, Supportive, and High-Quality Learning Environments

Providing high-quality educational opportunities while being fiscally responsible requires thoughtful decision-making. Last spring, we gathered valuable input on our proposed five-year consolidation plan, and we remain committed to ensuring community voices guide our next steps.

Currently, our district operates more schools than needed, which impacts our ability to fully invest in student programs and opportunities. Careful planning is essential to maximizing resources and providing the best possible education for all students.

As we approach the end of the academic year, we want our families and staff to feel confident and settled about the state of our schools. This allows us to keep our focus on academic excellence and student success. While this process takes time, we appreciate your patience and partnership in shaping the future of our school system.