Richmond County Board approves school closures and Josey High conversion to College and Career Academy

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) — The Richmond County Board of Education voted unanimously Monday to approve a long-range facilities plan that will close and consolidate several schools, including converting T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School into a districtwide College and Career Academy.

Nine of 10 board members were present for the vote.

The changes take effect after the 2025–2026 school year and include:

• Barton Chapel Elementary: Will close temporarily for demolition and rebuild on the same site. Students will merge with Glenn Hills Elementary during construction. Once complete, both schools will move into the new building and Glenn Hills will permanently close. (9-0)
• Jenkins-White Elementary: Will close in 2026, with students rezoned and the building repurposed. (9-0)
• John M. Tutt Middle: Will close and consolidate with Langford Middle into the new Langford-Tutt Middle School opening in 2026–2027. (9-0)
• Murphey Middle: Will close as the Murphey and Josey campuses are renovated into a districtwide College and Career Academy serving grades 9–12. (8-1)

Boundary adjustments tied to the closures were also approved.

Josey will temporarily close during construction. When the new academy opens — currently projected for fall 2029 — the Josey attendance zone will be dissolved, and students countywide may apply to attend.

The vote followed three public listening sessions. Alumni and community members have pushed to preserve Josey’s legacy.

“Career Academy is fine, but if they just keep Josey’s name alive,” said alumnus Irvin White. “That’s what a lot of us keep fighting for.”

Some residents argued the shift would erase traditional high school programming and community identity.

“It’s about a community. It’s about the ecosystem that was created from that,” one speaker said at a prior meeting. “College and career academies don’t have traditional high school programming at all. So it will be lost.”

Others noted the school’s history serving Black students during segregation.

Board leaders say they adjusted the plan after hearing public concerns.

“They listened, and they made adjustments,” said district spokesperson Haley LaCuesta.

Board member Shontae Boyd acknowledged skepticism from residents.

“The community does not trust us,” Boyd said. “But I promise we will do what we say we are going to do.”

Board President Shawnda Stovall called the changes necessary “right-sizing” and said the district is preparing for the future.

With the plan approved, the district will form a naming committee for the new College and Career Academy.