Every Richmond County school slated for closure has its share of notable graduates, and Glenn Hills High School is no exception.
Sen. Harold Jones, D-Augusta, is speaking out about the proposed closure of his high school alma mater with a reminder: Glenn Hills produced multiple students who achieved “firsts” in their fields.
“Glenn Hills has produced numerous distinguished graduates, including Judge David Watkins, the first African-American state court judge for Augusta, Georgia; Judge Kelli (Kenner) McIntyre, the first African-American female solicitor and state court judge; and the late Edward Tarver, the first African-American U.S. Attorney for the Southern District,” Jones said in a statement.
Rep. Brian Prince, D-Augusta, also graduated from Glenn Hills, he said.
Glenn Hills, which opened in 1967, is the only high school of eight currently slated for closure as the district copes with population shifts and declining enrollment.
Also intended to close are Tutt and Spirit Creek middle schools and A. Brian Merry, Jamestown, Meadowbrook, Gracewood, Jenkins-White and Glenn Hills elementary schools.
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The only closures formally approved by the board, to go into effect this fall, are Spirit Creek and A. Brian Merry. Tutt will close after Langford Middle School students occupy it while a new Langford is built.
Jones, the Democratic caucus whip in the General Assembly, said he hopes options remain open to keep the other schools from closing.
“Glenn Hills and all schools on the recommended closure list have been instrumental to the growth and development of our county,” he said. “It is my sincere desire that we can explore other options and preserve these schools, as each one contributes a unique and rich history to our city.”
Glenn Hills High School students would be divided between the Academy of Richmond County and Hephzibah High School if the closure goes through, according to a system handout.
Overall, enrollment in Richmond County schools has dropped about eight percent since 2014, to 28,032, and is projected to decline to 25,111 by 2033, the handout said.
Compared to 1995 enrollment, Glenn Hills High School currently has only 72% the student body, or 852 students. Butler High School has 52%, Lucy Craft Laney High School is at 85% of 1995 levels and ARC is at 99%, it said.
T.W. Josey High School, where students are slated to move next door into the new Murphy Middle School building, only has 46% of the students it had in 1995.
According to the system, half of Richmond County high schools are below the enrollment needed for minimum state program funding. Sixteen of 28 elementary schools and six of eight middle schools also fall in that category.
