WRDW-TV News 12 / EducationTeam 12 - School news for Augusta, Georgia

Richmond County School officials look into cutting Senior tax exemption
The Richmond County School System is looking into pulling the tax exemption from seniors to try to make up for millions of dollars in budget cuts. This is one of many ideas that were looked at in a breakfast between Richmond County School officials and state legislators.
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School zone signs up one day after News 12 report
News 12's Ashley Jeffery reported November 4 that there were no school zone signs near Byrd Elementary on Bettis Academy Road. On November 5, those signs went up.
Georgia launches 'Apply to College Week'
Nearly 45 high schools across the state will participate in the event starting Monday.
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Only on 12: School zone non-existent at Byrd Elementary
As parents pick up and drop off their students at Byrd Elementary, they're asking some serious questions about safety.
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Schools improve certification for school lunches
The report to Congress says that in 2008-2009, 78 percent of schools identified eligible students by using government records of households already getting aid.
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Augusta school asks "Pull your pants up"
Many students find it stylish to let their pants sag low, but one counselor is pushing for students to dress appropriately, especially as they get ready to enter the workforce.
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Stimulus saved, created 16K education jobs in Georgia
A new federal report shows that more than 16,000 Georgia education jobs were saved or created through stimulus funding.
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Only on 12: Student mentions killing teacher in note; RCSS investigating
A Davidson Fine Arts school student allegedly circulated or planned to circulate a note questioning if a teacher should be killed. The Richmond County School System is now investigating whether administrators followed proper procedures.
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Only on 12: District 5 school board candidates speak out
It's the fight to take an open seat on the Richmond County Board of Education. Election Day is just around the corner and News 12 spoke to the district 5 candidates.
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Only on 12: Former drug user talks to Greenbrier students for Red Ribbon Week
It's been an important week in our local schools. All week students have been hearing lessons and stories about the importance of staying drug and alcohol free. Greenbrier students heard the story of one local man who made some bad choices as a teenager. Doctors say he shouldn't even be alive to tell his story.
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Only on 12: MCG interim president says he's "not a place holder"
There's a new man in charge at the Medical College of Georgia...at least for now. Interim president Dr. James Thompson spoke exclusively to News 12 about his new post.
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Only on 12: Student allegedly assaulted by after-school teacher speaks out
The Burke County Sheriff's Office is looking into an incident involving an after-school teacher who allegedly assaulted a 12-year-old student in the hallway of Burke County Middle School.
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Subway's Jared visits CSRA to talk childhood obesity
Jared congratulated fourth grader Macey O'Neal for drawing a picture in Ms. Kelly's class for the Subway Fresh Fit video poster competition.
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Enrollment at Georgia tech colleges zooms past 100K
Enrollment has skyrocketed at Georgia's technical colleges since last year, hitting an all-time record.
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Augusta native named President of Georgia Southern University
An Augusta native is the new head man at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.
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Only on 12: Glenn Hills freshmen commit to graduate
The message was clear Friday for the freshman class of Glenn Hills High School: Make the commitment now to stay in school and graduate.
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South Aiken High School hit with graffiti
Vandals left about 39 messages on the walls, windows and other outdoor property at South Aiken High School.
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SRR awards $15,000 in educational grants
The grants are awarded directly to area elementary schools to provide funding for innovative approaches to teaching science and mathematics.
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After-school programs rallying to survive
Hundreds file into the Laney High School Stadium with hopes to show the need for after-school programs even during tough times. Senator Ed Tarver wants the community to start setting education as a priority.
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Drunk driving obstacle course part of alcohol awareness at ASU
According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, every year about 1,700 students die from incidents involving alcohol.
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Only on 12: Accused teacher's father talks about sexual misconduct arrest
38-year-old Tammy Joy Key of Graniteville is accused of several counts of sexual misconduct with a 14-year-old boy. Her father spoke only to News 12 about the charges.
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Author calls today's youth "The Dumbest Generation"
In "The Dumbest Generation", Dr. Mark Bauerlein argues this generation wastes their opportunity in exchange for a social life. News 12 compares a 78-year-old woman and an Augusta State University student.
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Ga. Regents suing former med school foundation
The state Board of Regents has filed a lawsuit against a private foundation for continuing to use the Medical College of Georgia's name even though the campus has severed ties with the organization.
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Former local teacher arrested for criminal sexual conduct
An Aiken County woman has been arrested on four counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor and four counts of lewd acts.
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College tuition costs rise again this fall
The average price of public colleges rose 6.5 percent this fall to slightly more than $7,000.
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Richmond Co. school buses bringing kids late to and from school
Students at Roy E. Rollins Elementary School who ride the bus to school have been late to and from school for the majority of the school year, according to their principal. The district's transportation is trying to put a stop to the problem.
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Officials: 250,000 teaching jobs aided by stimulus
A White House report released Monday concludes that money from a $787 billion stimulus package has helped states fill budget gaps that would have cost teachers their jobs.
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SC residents can review textbooks
The state education board is set to approve textbooks and other material for algebra, geometry and technology classes on Dec. 9.
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South Carolina teachers trained to identify child sexual abuse
A national group says thousands of South Carolina teachers have completed training to prevent, identify and react to child sexual abuse.
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Georgia 8th graders catching up in mathematics
Georgia is catching up to rest of the country in eighth-grade mathematics.
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USC-Aiken students revisit New Orleans for rebuilding effort
Nearly 50 USC-Aiken students have just returned from New Orleans after helping to rebuild a home in the lower 9th Ward. They share their stories and pictures with News 12.
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Atlanta police to boost college presence
Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington says that the department will put four uniformed officers at the AUC and four more at Georgia Tech.
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Richmond County schools weigh banning sagging pants at sporting events
The Richmond County School System has banned sagging pants during school hours. Now at least one school board member doesn't want to see them at football games, either.
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Ga. teachers sue for bonuses promised under law
A group of Georgia teachers are suing the state for cutting the salary bonuses they received for getting extra certification.
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Update: Girl injured after bullet strikes bus
A spokesperson for Richmond County Schools says someone shot a bullet through the window of a bus as it was returning from a trip to Atlanta. An 11-year-old girl was injured from shattered glass.
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SC's GED passing rate reaches high of 73 percent
South Carolina's passing rate for students seeking a high school equivalency diploma has reached an all-time high.
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Aiken County kids "Walk to School" for the day
Just before daybreak, parents, students and teachers made their way to Belvedere Elementary...but this time, more of them were walking.
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Commission, school board hopefuls speak to voters
Voters head to the polls in less than a month in Richmond County. On Tuesday night candidates talked some of those planning to cast ballots in hopes of trying to win votes.
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Richmond County school board announces furlough days
The Richmond County school board met Monday to discuss furloughs for teachers and bus drivers.
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ASU grant to help recruit African American male students
When it comes to getting a college degree, African American males continue to rank last. That's why Augusta State University is hoping that a $20,000 "African American Initiative" grant will help.
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CDC: Fewer schools selling candy, soda
The study did not report the total number of schools that have changed. Instead, it looked at the proportion of schools in each state.
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Schrenko accomplice's appeal denied
The Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal of a man's conviction for helping GOP gubernatorial candidate and state schools superintendent Linda Schrenko steal more than $600,000 in Georgia public education funds.
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Bands Across the River
The sixth annual Bands Across the River competition took place at North Augusta High School Saturday. It's a battle of the bands event that brings out the best of the best from both sides of the Savannah River.
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Only on 12: Columbia County bus drivers organize to fight policy
A new payroll policy has some Columbia County bus drivers fired up. It's changed how they get paid, and for some it means big bucks.
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Georgia's high school graduation rate rises again
New state data released Thursday show that the state's graduation rate rose to 78.9 percent this year.
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MCG breaks ground on dental school; first class pledges $25,000
The Medical College of Georgia broke ground on a new dental school Wednesday. The Sophomore class is pledging $25,000 to the project.
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First on 12: Several Richmond County schools reach AYP goals
News 12 has learned that several Richmond County schools have met or exceeded government goals for Adequate Yearly Progress. This includes CRCT testing, and graduation rates.
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Only on 12: Greenbrier high school student remembered by close friends
His Facebook page has hundreds of messages--messages he will never get. On Tuesday students at a Columbia County high school learned a classmate is dead after collapsing while running on the school track.
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Only on 12: New policy hits Columbia County bus drivers in the paycheck
Some Columbia County school bus drivers are upset about a new policy they say is cutting into their bottom line. But the school system says, it's just trying to make things fair. News 12 is on your side as we take a closer look at new payroll policy.
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9 in 10 high school students short on fruits, veggies
Health officials say only 13 percent of U.S. high school students get at least three servings of vegetables a day and just 32 percent get two servings of fruit.
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