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.