The plan to build a new elementary and middle school in North Augusta moved a step closer.
North Augusta City Council approved a request to rezone just over 51 acres near the intersection of Belvedere-Clearwater Road and Old Sudlow Lake Road from planned development to public use.
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The property, owned by the Aiken County Board of Education, will be the location for two new buildings, one for elementary students and the other for middle school students. The buildings will be two stories. The schools will be named Highland Springs.
The schools are part of the $90 million dollar bond referendum voters approved in 2018.
The details were announced in a school district news release following the referendum’s approval: “The growth in two areas of the county (North Augusta and Midland Valley) has substantially exceeded projections. With growth comes students and families to schools already at or near capacity. The school district has been donated land between Graniteville and North Augusta in the area being developed as Highland Springs and will construct a new elementary and a new middle school there. Each will have the capacity for 700 students.”
The expected cost to build the schools is $32 million dollars.
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The district also plans renovations and expansions at four existing schools: Midland Valley High School, Millbrook Elementary, Hammond Hill Elementary and Belvedere Elementary.
Monday night’s North Augusta council vote was the first reading of the ordinance approving the rezoning. It faces a second reading for final approval.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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