UPW - Urban Pro Weekly

how to build an institution

The first 47 years of Augusta Mini Theatre

Augusta

founder Tyrone J. Butler

Simon-Butler

A DIFFERENCE COMMENTARY by Ken Makin

We need a more serious approach to Black politics

It is rare that political campaigns contain policies or initiatives that speak to Black people. This is why I initially engaged the “Black Men’s Agenda” on Stacey Abrams’ website with great anticipation. Upon further review, however, the agen da lacked imagination and urgency. There wasn’t a single policy that spoke to the needs of working-class Black men.

This is particularly troublesome, considering that Abrams’ campaign has a nationwide reach. If a Black candidate can’t engage Black people in good faith, what chance do

we have with political parties and non-Black folks overall?

We need a more serious approach to Black politics. What is pain fully clear for my people is that there is no refuge when it comes to electoral politics, regardless of political party. Where Democrats engage Black folks in empty “rep resentation” politics, Republicans don’t engage Black folks at all in a race to bring back the overt racism of the past.

The urgency of our condition requires us to organize and demand more from elected offi

cials. Certainly, we shouldn’t triv ialize local politics. As a matter of fact, we should scrutinize candi dates to make sure their ideals pri oritize the needs of the people, and not big business. Further, we need a revival of Black media, so that candidates can engage platforms that will not only communicate campaign messages, but challenge those messages when necessary.

If prospective candidates are reading this, I implore you to spend the money that you might invest in yard signs on local media, whether it be print or podcast. And I would

challenge local media to treat the need for Black outlets with the utmost priority. Our infrastructure is crumbling fast and it is up to those of us with good conscience to save it.

Ken Makin is the host of Makin’ A Difference and a freelance writ er for ESPN and The Christian Science Monitor, among other out lets. Look him up on Facebook at Makin’ A Difference, and you can also send him an email with your thoughts at makinadifferenceshow@gmail.com.

PUBLISHER

Growing Augusta: Arts, Agriculture, & Agency LLC http://www.growingaugusta.co/UPW

(706) 751-2537

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CONTRIBUTORS

2022 Land Development Conference geared toward smaller investor

This week, the Augusta, Georgia Land Bank Authority (AGLBA) host ed the 2nd Annual Augusta Land Development Conference. The conference ran from Oct. 4 - Oct. 7 at the Augusta Marriott Convention Center.

“The 2022 Land Development Conference, unlike its inaugural year

in 2021, has proven to be better geared towards the smaller investor. We found from attendees is that the information has been more attuned to where they are presently. This is a pleasant sur prise. And actually has worked in our favor as the Land Bank Authority to create opportunities to bring underuti

lized properties back into productive use on a small scale. The introduction of financing options, as well as partner ships through networking, we believe will make Augusta realize its potential at an even faster pace than original ly anticipated,” said Shawn Edwards, executive director, AGLGA

(L-R) T. Chris Johnson, Richmond County Tax Commissioner and Cal Wray, President Augusta Economic Development Authority

Cole Thompson, Davis Beman, Ulysses Mays, Stephanie Clarke, Paul Myers, moderated by T. Chris Johnson

City urges residents to register for direct alerting system

AUGUSTA

Severe weather in the CSRA can develop at any moment. It could be a hurricane, tropical storm, or tropical depression that brings wind and rain to flood our roads and knock out power. Because of these risks, the Augusta Fire/Emergency Management Agency encourages people to sign up for its severe weath er alerting system and start preparing a disaster plan.

The best way to receive quick and effective notification when severe weather impacts our area, is to reg ister for the EMA’s direct alerting sys tem. “Knowledge and awareness are the keys to protecting ourselves from natural disasters.” stated Augusta Fire Chief/EMA Director Antonio Burden.

The system allows Emergency Managers to send citizens text messages, phone calls, or email when the National Weather Service (NWS) issues an emergency notifi

cation. People can register for the alerting system by downloading the Everbridge app, at https://bit.ly/ SevereAlert.

Once a person is informed of what’s going on, the next step is to execute a plan to protect them selves and their property. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends people who live in hurricane-prone areas, like the CSRA, build a disaster sup ply bag with essential items to help them through the storm. A mini mum of three days supply of food, water, batteries, and medicine is a good starting point.

According to NWS, the last hurricane to cross into Georgia was Hurricane Michael in 2018. Hurricane Michael was a catego ry three storm when it entered Georgia from the Florida panhandle and brought 35 to 40 miles-per-hour wind gusts to Richmond County.

TakeNOTE

Augusta, Georgia launches Community Fall Photo Contest

Fall is here, and Augusta, Georgia, is inviting residents to capture the essence of the autumn in Augusta and enter their best picture in the Fall in love with the Augusta fall photo contest. Here is how to enter: • Photo must be taken in Augusta, Georgia. • Submissions will be accepted between September 26, 2022 –November 14, 2022. • Entries

must be sent digitally to communi cations@augustaga.gov. • Winner will be announced November 21, 2022, and their photo will be fea tured in Augusta’s fall promotional material.

Visit augustaga.gov for a com plete list of rules. Media interetest ed in covering this event should call Public Information Manager Danielle Harris at 706-312-5511.

Augusta Mini Theatre

Augusta Mini Theatre, Inc. founded on October 8, 1975, by Tyrone J Butler, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and offers classes in piano, drama, dance, and visual arts.

HOME OF THE 1970 AUGUSTA RIOT EXHIBIT

UPW: Bring us back to the weeks leading up to October 8, 1975 when the Augusta Mini Theatre first opened its doors. Can you recall the nucleus of the idea of the Augusta Mini Theatre before it actually happened? And what was your situation.

Tyrone BUTLER: I had procrastinated about being an R&B singer, which included dancing and comedy. At the time, I was employed by Augusta Opportunity Industrialization Center (Augusta OIC). This was an adult job prepara tion center. And I was one of several outreach program managers. But a PR job opened, and I applied, but, in my view, I was looked over in favor of a white employee. I was stunned. But it pushed me to go to, where I was already volunteering after work, the Wallace Branch Library. There, I asked Mrs. Gwen Cummings, the librarian if I could do a variety talent show there. And she said, yes.

Thinking this would give me an opportunity to sing, I found myself choreographing routines and writing shows for our students. So, I never did become an R&B singer, but something greater, “a lover of children” to this day.

UPW: Clearly at the very beginning, fund ing had to be a central concern. What made you think that even if you could get this new idea up and running. What gave you

the insane idea that it would last any longer than the typical new venture – five years ?

T. BUTLER: I didn’t think about how long it would last. Looking into the face of beautiful children, I was bitten by the arts bug and didn’t know it. There was no stopping, even though our first budget was zero.

UPW: Do you recall what the first year was like and whether or not you doubted if you could make it to another year, or if you even wanted to make it into another year?

T. BUTLER: The first year was so exciting, I didn’t think about money. Remember, the first year, in 1975, I was still working at OIC and volunteering Mini Theatre’s work after work. That is, until the late Rev. Francis Cook called and gave me a message from the late and Augusta’s first black mayor that I no longer worked for OIC, but for Augusta Mini Theatre.

Mr. McIntyre, has secured funds from Richmond County for me and Earnestine Robinson. Mr. McIntyre was a county commissioner at the time. And, now, out on my own, the road was rough. There were no funds for a building, utilities, etc. Earnestine and I had to raise funds. And not many White nor African Americans supported us. One Black Community leader said, “Tyrone Butler dreams too big.” And he didn’t support.

UPW: I am quite sure that your 47-year-jour ney has made you an expert in the field of fund-raising. At what point did it dawn on you that arts and culture are costly ventures – especially if you are dedicated to serving an under-served community?

T. BUTLER: Yes, we’ve learned a great deal about fundraising for a nonprofit. And espe cially hard for the underserved. Especially if the majority of the underserved is African American. Why? It appears people don’t see their humanness. They see them as a project.

UPW: Economically, arts and culture contribute 4.5% of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP), an amount larger than the share contributed by industries as diverse as con struction, agriculture, and transportation. When the pandemic hit, arts and culture pretty much shut down and we’re still not out of the woods. How did going through the pandemic inform how you plan for the future and did it introduce any new features into your day-to-day operations?

T. BUTLER: March of 2020, Augusta Mini Theatre had about $1,100.00 in the bank and

Augusta Mini Theatre founder Tyrone J. Butler (R) and artistic director Judith Simon-Butler (L) chat with executive assistant Earnestine Robinson (center) in front of the arts center headquarters on Deans Bridge Road. The arts school is celebrating 47 years of service to the community. Robinson has been with the Mini Theatre since it opened in 1975. All Photos by Vincent Hobbs

$11,000.00 worth of bills. Because we’re always low on funds, it didn’t bother me. But when The Church of the Good Shepherd stops its funding, (about $5,000) I knew the pandemic, was going to be bad on AMTs poor economic. And it truly was.

But once we informed the public of our situation, people, including our alumni, board, parents, students and staff responded in a major way and we made it through. A special thanks to them.

UPW: The advent of digital tech nology transformed the land scape of the entire entertainment industry. The industry’s quest for content is almost insatiable. Are there any aspects of the new technologies that specifically impact performing arts and teaching institutions like the Mini Theatre?

T. BUTLER: Yes. Augusta Mini Theatre has been able to conduct our classes virtually, instead of total ly shutting down. Even though, we shut down our teaching program for a year.

Also, letting the world know about our needs was instant and that’s why we survived the pandemic. But we weren’t too fortunate with our people: we lost our piano instructor of 14 years; and two alums (Calvin Moore and Maxine Barnett-Nesbit).

UPW: Tell us about this new 47th cycle. I see where you are offering free classes. Tell us more about what we can expect from Augusta Mini Theatre in 2022-2023?

Because of financial devastation on all of us, we wanted to make participation in the arts even more affordable.

In 2022-2023, we hope to see construction of Phase II-150 Seat Theater. As you know, Phase II was a 250-seater, but its present cost is between $4-5 million. Presently, thanks to City of Augusta and our fundraising, we have $1.7 million, leaving a balance of $800,000.

We’re so close. And we feel people in the CSRA-River Region Area will close the deal.

So, expect to see this 14-year jour ney come to a glorious end – 150 Seat Instructional Theater.

We’ve witnessed our students growth from ele mentary school thru high school and watched them go off to college.

We have witnessed those who barely spoke above a whisper and are now standing in front of their own classrooms

We still stand in the gap for parents when needed

We have reached full circled moments….

We are now teaching and directing many of our former students’ children. And what a joy it is to see that same light of excitement in their children’s eyes. But most importantly, to know that former students

value the training and life lessons learned at the Mini Theatre and want their children to have that same experience.

The pandemic introduced us to a new way of thinking and reaching our students.

Physically, we shut down mid-march 2020, but the wheels in our heads were still turning-what do we do now? Well, we did what we do best-----figured out a way to keep moving.

We eased into virtual learning the next semester and kept right on training and teaching life lessons.

I’ll admit –it wasn’t an easy transition LOL.

“Speaking through the Mask” became our Theme

A. Students were required to wear mask even during virtual learning, in the privacy of their homes.

Lesson 1: the more you wear your mask …..The more likely wearing a mask becomes a habit and more comfortable.

Lesson 2: the mask keeps you and your family safe, outside of your home.

Lesson 3: students were constantly reminded: If you project, enunciate, and articulate, you will be heard and understood through the mask. Needless to say, the students leveled up in these areas.

I think one 5th grade drama said it best:” Mrs. Butler taught us how to project and speak clearly with the mask on and she kept us safe from that Corona virus” LOL

B. Our Art Instructor, Arthur Youngblood, for mer art student at the Theatre, had just resigned and moved to Baltimore for grad school. So, we were without an instructor. However, because we moved to virtual classes, he was able to help us over the hump from Baltimore. The Art students were excited to have their teacher back and thor oughly enjoyed their weekly lessons and sharing their art work.

C. We held our very first virtual drama, visual arts and piano classroom demonstration, at the end of 2021- Staff, Board of Directors and parents were amazed.

After all these years, I still get excited and feel the excitement everyday around 5:00pm, as our stu dents fill the hallways with love and laughter.

I am so glad that for 47 years – I can honestly say-every single day-I get to do what I love and love what I do.

GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTION

On November 8, 2022, voters in Richmond County will head to the polls to cast a vote in a General and Special Election.

The Voter Registration deadline is Tuesday, October 11, 2022. All persons casting a ballot in the General and Special Election must make changes or updates to their registration by that date to be eligible to vote in the Election. You can check your registration or register online at https://mvp.sos.ga.gov/s/. Voters have many options for casting their ballot, including:

Voting by Mail will begin being mailed on October 11, 2022. Applications are being accepted now. Interested persons must apply by submitting an absentee bal lot request form located on our website at www.augustaga.gov/vote. Applications can be mailed to our office at 535 Telfair Street, Suite 500, Augusta, Georgia, 30901, by fax at 706-821-2814 or by email at richmonde lections@augustaga.gov. Voters can also apply for a ballot by visiting the online absentee portal at securemyabsenteebal lot.sos.ga.gov/s/. The last day to request a ballot is Friday, October 28, 2022. Voters who cast an absentee ballot by mail do not have to provide a reason for voting by mail. In order to be counted, voted mailin absentee ballots must be received by the Board of Elections Office no later than 7:00 PM on November 8, 2022.

Advance Voting will be held beginning, October 17, 2022 in the Linda W. Beazley Community Room in the Municipal Building located at 535 Telfair Street

only. Voting hours will be weekdays from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM daily through Friday, October 28, 2022 and from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Beginning, Saturday October 29, 2022, voting will be available in the Linda W. Beazley Community Room in the Municipal Building, the Henry Brigham Recreation Center, the Robert Howard Community Center at Diamond Lakes, and the Warren Road Recreation Center from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and the following week Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 6:00 PM daily. Sunday Voting will be offered on October 30, 2022, from 11:00 AM- 4:00 PM. All voters vot ing in person during Advance Voting must provide one of the six acceptable forms of photo identification. Voting is not permitted on the Monday prior to the Election.

Election Day Voting will be available from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM on November 8, 2022 and all polling locations in Richmond County will be open. Voters must report to their assigned precinct in order to vote on Election Day. All voters voting in person on Election Day must provide one of the six acceptable forms of photo identification prior to casting a ballot.

Sample ballots will be available at vot ing sites or can be viewed at the Board of Elections Website at www.augustaga.gov/ vote or the My Voter Page at www.mvp. sos.ga.gov/s/. For more information, please contact the Board of Elections Office at 706-821-2340.

The Voter

by Mail will begin being

last day to request

ballot

Voting will be held

Election Day Voting will be avail able from 7:00 AM until 7:00

2022

“MENTAL” slated for Premiere on new APEX Museum streaming platform One-woman stage play and companion documentary dive deep into depression

SIDPo Productions and the APEX Museum TV Network in association with Blue Bistro Creative present the one-woman stage play MENTAL. The full-length show is a transparent re-telling of screenwriter Sid Powell’s lifelong struggle with depression.

Actress Beliria Sims, one of Atlanta’s rising stars, brings emotional depth, veracity, and authentic vigor to the role. Under Powell’s direction, the pair debuted the work in 2016 and move into this upcoming performance with more nuance and artistic profundity.

“As a filmmaker, primarily a writer, I decided to use my craft to com municate to the masses how mental illness has affected me along my life’s journey. Being in the public eye, I felt that it would be useful to share my story in the hope that someone just might see fit to seek help for similar trials and tribulations in their own life.” ~ Siddeeqah ‘Sid’ Powell

The intimate performances will be held in the Museum’s main gallery with four shows over two weekends in October 2022.

October 8th and 9th at 6 PM October 15th and 16th at 6 PM

A gifted writer, Powell’s accolades include receiving an NAACP Image Award nomination for the TV movie, “Somebody’s Child.” Other writing credits include the TV movies The Dempsey Sisters, What Would You Do For Love?, and Love Will Find A Way Dan Moore Jr., the Director of Operations for the museum stated, “We are excited to have the phenom enally creative Sid Powell be a part of

this new phase of what we are doing at the Museum. This presentation will support much-needed conver sations in the community around depression and mental health overall.”

The performances will be record ed before a live audience and will be released on the streaming plat

The APEX Museum is located in the historic Auburn Avenue business district at: 135 Auburn Avenue, NE Atlanta, GA 30303

form along with a companion docu mentary film. The documentary will examine Sims’ and Powell’s journey toward bringing such a personal performance to audiences.

Anthony R. Page, one of the pro gram directors for the streaming platform, stated “We are curating content that aligns with the muse

Dan Moore, Jr - Director of Operations APEX Museum / APEX Museum TV Network -

Smith

um’s core mission and their 40-year legacy. There are a series of projects in development for the streaming platform that will be integrated with unique in-person experiences at the museum.”

Page and his collaborative team at Blue Bistro Creative will produce the documentary film.

Studio Blue seeking actors for inaugural class

With the creation of Studio Blue, we are looking for actors and aspiring actors to be a part of our inaugural class. In the class, we are taking more of a conservancy approach versus a class or workshop approach. Therefore, each session will be conducted in 60-90 day cycles.

For Phase 1, the weekly classes will be much longer than usual (6 – 9 hours) and will be abstract, immersive, and unorthodox. Each inten sive class will challenge actors emotionally, mentally, and physically. Students will be exposed to

various styles and methods of acting including Stanislavsky, Brecht, Grotowsky, Kabuki, Meisner, Method, Shakespearean, and Chubbuck among others.

There will be mini-master classes, with visiting professionals who are gifted in various focus areas.

One of the primary goals of Studio Blue is to help build a generation of outliers in Atlanta that are prepared to work with the most gifted auteurs and industry professionals, consistently

delivering original, rare, ground-breaking, and legendary performances.

At the end of each session, the students will present in front of active professionals, who are creating a certain caliber of work for a chance to be cast in their upcoming productions.

To be considered for our inaugural ses sion, send resumes, reels, and references to BlueBistroCreative@gmail.com to set up a consul tation.

The first session begins later this fall.

Sid

Anthony

Lecture to highlight battle waged by black physicians in Augusta

The Augusta African American Historical Society will host Dr. Leslie Pollard, Sr., retired pro fessor of history from Paine College, on Thursday, November 3 at 6 pm, for a lecture on his book Segregated Doctoring: Black Physicians in Augusta, Georgia, 1902-1952 The event is free and open to the public and will be held at Augusta University Health Sciences (EC) Building 1222 1482 Laney-Walker Boulevard, Augusta, Georgia 30912, behind the Cancer building off of Laney-Walker Boulevard. The Augusta African American Historical Society’s “mis sion is to document, preserve, and extoll the rich Black history of the Augusta-Richmond County area.”

Segregated Doctoring discusses the arrival of thirty-four Black physicians between 1902 and 1952 to Augusta (the first having arrived in the mid-1880s), who were initially afforded privileges at the city’s black public hospital but were later excluded from public care for decades as they competed with white physicians to even serve their own communities. Describing their experiences on “both sides of the color line,” Pollard discusses their maintenance of status in African

American communities, responses to segregation, and the structure of medical practices in Augusta’s history. Autographed copies of the book will be for sale at the lecture.

You may reserve a seat for this event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ segregated-doctoring-black-physi cians-in-augusta-georgia-1902-1952-tick ets-420007272057. Please contact Dr. Lillie Johnson, President of AAAHS, at 706-863-1391 or augustablackhisto ry@gmail.com with questions.

What manner of man

by Thurman K. Brown

What good comes from the works of a man? Spiritually speaking, man is only human flesh and he is not pure. It has been shown and proven that man is capable of failures and mishaps. For example; just look at all that is going on in society at the moment. Evil is everywhere amongst us. The world advocates the right way as being the wrong way; and the wrong way as being the right way. How did we get things so messed up? It’s simple: Doing things our way; and not doing those things God’s way. Yes, there is a difference. Don’t get caught up in what society dictates to you.(How you should look, how you should be, and how you should feel).

There is someone who is stronger and much mightier than man. Who is that, you ask?

Jesus Christ! Mind you, Jesus Christ is not a man; he is a spirit, and has all the power that ever was and will be. Those who worship him; worship

him in spirit and in truth. Who else on this earth would die for you; and pay for your sins? The beauty of this sacrifice is that Jesus has already done so for all of us. Where is man in any of this? Man has become too dependent on himself, rather than depending on God. That’s what’s wrong with society. God has been replaced with other things.

Man would rather you be socially accepted; whereas Jesus declares:

“Come as you are!” How does one endure spiritually with the ways of the world? One simply can’t do so. It doesn’t have anything to do with being religious. It’s all about having a fervent spiritual relationship with God. He is pure and the only one without sin. The sad reality is that normality is natural, and only serves as a “quick fix”. It won’t last or satisfy us. Abnormality, on the other hand, is spiritual and everlasting. Enjoy the benefits of Jesus Christ; rather than those of man because only what you do for Christ will last.

Spiritual

in Augusta and Richmond County, Georgia.

Historic Augusta’s six teenth annual Walk with the Spirits will include two cemeteries this year, the Summerville Cemetery at 2301 Cumming Road and the Fitten Street Cemetery at 2301 Fitten Street. Actors in period costumes will bring the “spir its” to life as they raise awareness about Augusta’s history. Current residents and visitors will be introduced to the peo ple and buildings that still influence us today and remain a part of Augusta’s cultural legacy.

Tours take place every 20 min-

utes beginning at 2:00 pm with the last tour at 5:00 pm each day. Each tour will last approximately 45 minutes. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children (K – 12) and should be purchased in advance at www.historicaugusta. org/walkwiththespirits. Please call 706.724.0436 to reserve your time slot. Comfortable shoes are encouraged. All proceeds benefit the projects and programs of Historic Augusta, Inc., a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve historically or architecturally significant sites and structures

Walk with the Spirits is sponsored in part by: Gold Sponsors: Kruhu; the Augusta Press; Cadence Bank; MAU Workforce Solutions; and Historic Meadow Garden; Silver Sponsors: Merryland Properties; Mr. and Mrs. William C. Hopkins; Dr. and Mrs. Walter E. Johnson, Jr.; Mary and Tennent Houston; 2KM Architects; Piedmont Augusta; Fulcher Hagler, LLC; Booker + Vick Architects; Sherman and Hemstreet; Robertson Restoration; Cheatham Fletcher Scott Architects and Designers; Rex

Property and Land, LLC; Landmark Preservation, LLC; Dickinson Architects; Mr. and Mrs. W.L.M. Knox, Jr.; Gate 5 Self Storage; and Bronze Sponsors: Gary Foundation; Delta Engineering; John and Alice Little Caldwell; Vilma Colon-Oliver; Mr. and Mrs. William Barrett, Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Glascock; Mr. and Mrs. Peter Vagovic; KAMO; Dr. and Mrs. William Clark, Jr.; and Dr. Lee Ann Caldwell and Mr. Richard Swann.

For more information, please call Historic Augusta at 706.724.0436, or visit our website at www.historicaugusta.org

RICHMOND COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PROPOSAL NUM.: B-21-028-0197 Bond Issue Program PROJECT NAME: Glenn Hills Middle School HVAC Upgrades

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION OF RICHMOND COUNTY INVITATION TO BID

Sealed proposals from Contractors will be received for the Glenn Hills Middle School HVAC Upgrades, Project by the County Board of Education of Richmond County at the address below until 3:00 p.m local time, November 3, 2022, at which time the bids will be publicly opened and read. No extension of the bidding period will be made.

A Pre-Bid Conference will be held October 20, 2022 @ 2:00 p.m. local time at the Glenn Hills Middle School, 2941 Glenn Hills Drive, Augusta, GA 30906.

Drawings and project manual on this work may be examined at the Department of Maintenance and Facilities, Richmond County Board of Education, 2956 Mike Padgett Highway, Augusta, Ga 30906.

Bidding documents may be obtained at the Office of the Engineer: ING Consulting, 550 11th Street, Augusta, GA 30901. Applications for documents together with refundable deposit of $ 100 per set should be filed promptly with the Engineer. Bidding material will be forwarded (shipping charges collect) as soon as possible. The full amount of deposi t for one set will b e refunded to each prime contractor who submits a bona fide bid upon return of such set in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bids. All other deposits will be refunded with deductions approximating cost of reproduction of documents upon return of same in good condition within 10 days after date of opening bid.

Contract, if awarded, will be on a lump sum basis. No bid may be withdrawn for a period of 35 days after time has been called on the date of opening.

Bid must be accompanied by a bid bond in an amount not less than 5% of the base bid. Personal checks, certified checks, letters of credit, etc., are not acceptable. The successful bidder will be required to furnish performance and payment bonds in an amount equal to 100% of the contract price.

In accordance with the Davis-Bacon Act, and the General Wage Determination’s available from the DOL for Richmond County (www.wdol.gov), the Contractor will be required to comply with the wage and labor requirements and to pay minimum wages in accordance with the schedule of wage rates established by the United States Department of Labor. The highest rate between the two (Federal and State) for each job classification shall be considered the prevailing wage.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and to waive technicalities and informalities.

To promote local participation, a database of Sub-contractors, Suppliers, and Vendors has been developed by the Program Manager, GMK Associates. Contact Jeanine Usry with GMK Associates at (706) 826-1297 for location to review and obtain this database.

Bids shall be submitted and addressed to:

Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw County Board of Education of Richmond County Administrative Office 864 Broad Street Augusta, Georgia 30901 c/o: Mr. Bobby Smith, CPA

2022 RCSS SAT test takers surpass prepandemic scores

The Richmond County School System shared highlights of its Class of 2022 SAT Score reports.

Class of 2022 test takers earned higher SAT mean scores than pre-pandemic test takers continu ing the trend of overall growth in SAT performance.

The number of SAT test takers increased compared to 2021.

“Congratulations to the Richmond County School System Class of 2022 for achievement growth over 2020 pre-pandemic SAT test takers,” said Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw, Superintendent of Schools.

“Though there was a slight decrease from 2021, this year more of our students showed up to take the SAT, applied the knowledge they are learning in the classroom, and prepared for opportunities to continue their success after graduation.”

Several Richmond County Schools reported notable test results.

A.R. Johnson and Davidson Fine Arts School students scored above the state and national average in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and SAT Math.

Davidson Fine Arts School stu dents scored in the Top 5% of the State at 16th of 393 schools.

A.R. Johnson and Richmond Career Technical Magnet School students overall scores increase for 2021 and 2022.

Glenn Hills High School test takers saw gains in SAT Combined Scores and in SAT EvidenceBased Reading for 2022.

The Academy of Richmond County had record test scores in 2021. Test takers from the Class of 2022 outperformed pre-pan demic scores reported in 2020.

“Richmond County students made gains in some areas, and there is still work to do to build on the upward trend in SAT scores. We will review these results and use them to identify areas of focus to expand student growth and achievement,” said Dr. Bradshaw.