Josey High demolition marks turning point in school’s legacy

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The walls of T.W. Josey High School are starting to come down, marking the next big step in a controversial but closely watched transformation of the historic campus.Demolition crews have moved in less than six months after alumni filled the halls for a “final walk” of the building in May.Many who returned that day were from the school’s earliest classes, including members of the 1966 graduating class, who helped choose the Eagle mascot and school colors.The teardown clears the way for the new Josey College and Career Academy, a districtwide workforce hub that’s part of Richmond County’s long-term master plan. All staff and classroom materials were moved to Murphey Middle School ahead of the project, and former Josey students are being housed there during construction. District leaders hope to open the new academy in 2029.The change follows months of public meetings where community members pushed to preserve the T.W. Josey name.The Richmond County School Boar