Comprehensive Facilities Plan

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.