The Richmond County Board of Education (RCBOE) celebrated positive news during its regular meeting, Tuesday night.
Rising graduation rates, SAT and ACT score increases and acknowledgment by the U.S. News and World Report were among the many recognitions by the school board allowed after local Girl Scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Eight Richmond County high schools improved their SAT average scores this year with an overall gain of 26 points, four improving their ACT scores by 1.4 points. Davidson Fine Arts ranked fourth in Georgia in the World Report’s Best High Schools rankings, with A.R. Johnson Magnet School getting 18th place.
Butler, Hephzibah, Laney, Westside, A.R. Johnson, Davidson and Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School (RCTCM) all saw increases in graduation rates for the 2024-2025 school year.
“These recognitions directly support every aspect of our system’s mission vision and beliefs,” said assistant superintendent David Hall. “The progress we recognize this evening reflects our commitment to these goals through targeted objectives and initiatives.”
Assistant Superintendent Aletha Snowberger presented an update on the school district’s school choice options, which now include the Cyber Academy of Excellence on the RCTCM campus, the Marion Barnes Career Center on the Josey High campus, and the Performing Learning Center.
During the preceding committee meeting, Marcus Allen, the school district’s deputy superintendent of operations, presented to the board a proposed initiative to provide mentorship and guidance to suspended students.
The Suspension Recovery Program would be an option for students who have been suspended for five or more days for a single incident. Parents would register their children and be required to provide transportation to the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center at 1903 Division St. There the students would receive academic support and mentoring and receive conflict resolution skills in a special program from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
All board members, save Monique Braswell of District 5, voted to approve the program during the regular meeting.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering general reporting for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com
