![FOR SALE: OLD SUE REYNOLDS ELEMENTARY <BR> Location: 3713 Wrightsboro Road <BR> Appraised value: $335,000 <BR> Condition: Average, according to the most recent appraisal, with no apparent roof leaks or need for major maintenance repairs. The second building is considered to be in "extremely poor condition" and hasn't been maintained.<BR> Of note: Built in 1927, the school had a second building added later, bringing the total square footage to 27,822. Michael Holahan/Staff](http://chronicle.augusta.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/editorial/images/spotted/75/759699.jpg "FOR SALE: OLD SUE REYNOLDS ELEMENTARY <BR> Location: 3713 Wrightsboro Road <BR> Appraised value: $335,000 <BR> Condition: Average, according to the most recent appraisal, with no apparent roof leaks or need for major maintenance repairs. The second building is considered to be in "extremely poor condition" and hasn't been maintained.<BR> Of note: Built in 1927, the school had a second building added later, bringing the total square footage to 27,822. Michael Holahan/Staff")
Once again, Dr. Bedden is right: Every little bit would help the RCBOE's current financial crisis.
A 75-year-old school building will now have a second life as a residential property or return to its educational roots.
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Augusta Capital bought Martha Lester School for more than $240,000 last month from the Richmond County Board of Education. The building will be renovated as part of the revitalization of the Harrisburg neighborhood, said Augusta Capital project manager Anne Catherine Murray.
The building on Broad Street is one of seven the school board put on the market last year to help ease a budget shortfall of more than $13 million. Martha Lester and Floyd Graham School on Windsor Spring Road are the only ones that have sold.
"It's a really great building, so we wanted to make sure that we keep it from being destroyed," Mrs. Murray said. "We don't know exactly what we're doing with it yet, but we are actively involved in preserving it."
The school board applied the more than $475,000 from the two school buildings to the original budget passed in June, said school board attorney Pete Fletcher. Another building, Old Hornsby Elementary, is being sold for $300,000, with the close expected by December. Money from that sale could help the school board alleviate part of the $1.1 million deficit, but it likely won't affect the estimated $6.5 million in cuts ordered by the state earlier this week. Selling the remaining four properties would provide more than $1 million to the school system.
"I think the school board is counting on selling all of these properties in the next year, but I know that won't help them deal with what the state's asked for," Mr. Fletcher said.
Every little bit would help, Superintendent Dana Bedden said. In addition to reducing the shortfall, selling the property would also save money and manpower used to maintain the buildings.
"We're pulling from different pots, and that's going to be a help," Dr. Bedden said. "If we close these deals, that's one less thing on our plate."
Large classes, furloughs and pay cuts remain on the school system's plate, so selling the remaining properties is more crucial than it was a year ago, said Frank Dolan, the school board finance chairman. Richmond County's economic state could stifle the sale of the properties.
"We're competing with South Carolina and their tax incentives, so it's a tough situation right now," Mr. Dolan said.
Potential buyers have shown interest in A.C. Griggs School, Old Sue Reynolds Elementary, Old John S. Davidson School and Regency Exchange 8, a property donated to the school board, Mr. Fletcher said.
Reach Stephanie Toone at (706) 823-3215 or stephanie.toone@augustachronicle.com.
PROPERTIES UP FOR SALE
A.C. GRIGGS SCHOOL
LOCATION: 1924 Grand Blvd.
APPRAISED VALUE: $155,000
CONDITION: It has deteriorated, and environmental issues must be addressed.
OF NOTE: It was built in 1934 to replace Turpin Hill School and was named Emma Stoughton School. It was renamed A.C. Griggs School in 1958.
OLD SUE REYNOLDS ELEMENTARY
LOCATION: 3713 Wrightsboro Road
APPRAISED VALUE: $335,000
CONDITION: Average, according to the most recent appraisal, with no apparent roof leaks or need for major maintenance repairs. The second building is considered to be in "extremely poor condition" and hasn't been maintained.
OF NOTE: Built in 1927, the school had a second building added later, bringing the total square footage to 27,822.
OLD JOHN S. DAVIDSON SCHOOL
LOCATION: 1102 Telfair St.
APPRAISED VALUE: $360,000
CONDITION: In need of extensive repair and has environmental issues. Repairs to the roof are estimated at $650,000. Demolishing the building would cost an estimated $375,000.
OF NOTE: Named for John S. Davidson, considered the father of public education in Richmond County. It closed in 1997 when the current Davidson opened.
REGENCY EXCHANGE 8
LOCATION: 2413 Jennings Road
APPRAISED VALUE: $500,000
CONDITION: Generally good with an intact roof, but there has been a vandalism, including graffiti and broken glass.
OF NOTE: The property was donated to the school board in 2002.
SOLD
MARTHA LESTER SCHOOL
BOUGHT BY: Augusta Capital LLC in June
USE: School building or residential property
LOCATION: 1688 Broad St.
PRICE: $241,000-plus
CONDITION : Good
OF NOTE: The site, which sits on the banks of the Augusta Canal, once housed the school system's orchestra program.
Augusta Capital paid $240,000 for the Martha Lester School - one of only two properties the school board has sold. The board put seven properties up for sale last year to ease a $13 million budget shortfall, and the money from the sales of Martha Lester and Floyd Graham schools went toward the budget passed in June. Hornsby Elementary's sale is expected close in December.
FLOYD GRAHAM SCHOOL
BOUGHT BY: City of Hephzibah in March
Use: Building will be demolished. Land will be used for cemetery parking.
LOCATION: 4790 Windsor Spring Road
PRICE: $235,000
CONDITION: Extremely poor. The roof of the school, built in 1949, is partially caved in.
OF NOTE: The facility operated as a school until about 2002. It has since been used for storage.
UNDER CONTRACT
OLD HORNSBY ELEMENTARY
LOCATION: 415 Laney-Walker Blvd. Extension
PRICE: $300,000
CONTRACT WITH: Fellowship Church of the United
CONDITION: Good
OF NOTE: The facility was in use as a school until May 2008.
Sources: Richmond County Board of Education and Historic Augusta Inc.
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