The Richmond County School Board’s proposed facilities plan includes closing several schools and converting the T.W. Josey Comprehensive High School and Murphey Middle School campus into a district-wide college and career academy starting in the 2026-27 school year.​
Key School Closures
T.W. Josey High School (opened 1964) and Murphey Middle School (opened 1953), sharing a campus at 1701 15th St. in Augusta, GA, face closure to enable new construction for the academy offering career pathways and hands-on training open to high schoolers district-wide. Additional closures include Barton Chapel Elementary at the end of 2025-26 (consolidating with Glenn Hills Elementary ahead of a new school in 2028) and Jenkins-White Elementary starting 2026-27.​
Student Reassignments
Students from feeder elementaries like Bayvale, Wheeless Road, and Wilkinson Gardens will shift to nearby middle and high schools such as Langford-Tutt Middle, Academy of Richmond County, Butler High, Hornsby Middle, and Laney High. These changes aim to optimize resources and expand program access.​
Public Engagement Timeline
Public hearings occurred on Jan. 15 at T.W. Josey, with more on Jan. 26 at Barton Chapel Elementary and Jan. 27 at RCSS Central Office; no final decisions until a Feb. 10 board vote. Community feedback shapes the plan, which addresses excess schools for better fiscal responsibility and equity. No changes happen this spring.
