News 12 at 6 o'clock, July 8, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---Vernon Redfield learned to read and write at A.C. Griggs Elementary, but his memories of this place stretch beyond the classroom.

"I grew up right behind it. Me and my cousins used to walk to school and have fun together," says Vernon.

The school board has put seven of its properties on the market, including A.C. Griggs. Listed at $155, 000, its only one of the ways the board hopes to balance the budget. With its graffiti covered walls and broken glass, the theater was last listed at half a million dollars.

"There is an itemized list at what the properties are appraised at. All are current except for the theater property, that appraisal is two years old. We have teams that keep the buildings up. The trees and shrubs cut on a weekly basis. We're in close contact with the city/county to makes sure we're not violating any ordinances," says Benton Starks, Director of Maintenance and Facilities for Richmond County schools.

And while the board of education does maintain the landscaping of the property, some in the area say its just not enough.

"Just cutting the grass is not enough. They either need to tear it down or do something with it besides just letting it sit there," says Vernon.

And it will -- until the school board accepts the draft, but for Vernon, that's just not soon enough.

School board attorney Pete Fletcher says he will take a draft of the bidding procedures before the board. The board will then decide when to bring it up for voting.

If and when the draft is accepted, they'll have 60 days to advertise; then bidding can begin.

School board members did not reach a decision tonight but they hope to have this in the works by the next calendar year. They also tells us that members will not be allowed to be involved in the bidding process.