News 12 First at Five -- July 28, 2010

AUGUSTA, Ga. --- In just a few weeks, Richmond County students will be heading back to school -- and some will be looking at a brand new makeover.

Of their schools, that is.

Twelve schools across the district are currently undergoing construction, most of which will not be completed by the first day of school.

But students at one high school will be coming back to a new look.

Greg Thompson is opening doors to a new day at Butler High School. Starting this year, students will be playing in a new gymnasium, complete with new locker rooms, restrooms, concession stands and a new track.

It's been in the works for more than a year, and that's not all. Butler has also received a new flashing marquee board and remodeled school building. The entire makeover totals more than $11 million.

"We've gotten some nice upgrades here at Butler High School," Thompson says. "It's exciting. It's something the kids can take pride in and call their own."

The Butler gym may be completed, but other sites are still hard hat areas. And they'll still be under construction when kids head back to school.

Maintenance and Facilities Director Benton Starks surveys the progress at National Hills Elementary. The school is undergoing a series of renovations and additions, set to be completed by December.

"This is kind of what you have to do when you have a construction project you're running up through the summer," Starks says. "We run it up until the last minute, then we scrub it down and clean it up and make it safe for the staff and students."

Students at Westside, Richmond Academy, AR Johnson, Hephzibah High School and Hephzibah Middle School will also see changes, while several projects ones will begin this year. The price tag for the ongoing projects is $50 million.

The halls at National Hills Elementary will be transformed by the first day, but students will still see a work in progress.

"They may hear some bulldozing or a tractor passing by, but they won't be hearing people jackhammering the sidewalk outside the classroom," Starks says.

And at Butler, Thompson is excited to see kids enter their new school.

"We had a tough year last year. When I first got here, people were complaining they were doing stuff for all the other schools except for Butler," he says. "But at this point they can't complain, because it looks like they've really done Butler a good job."

Renovations range from roof work and new air conditioning units to additional classroom wings. Starks says most of the remaining construction is away from the main building and the area will be safe for students.

He adds during test days, workers are contractually obligated to stop construction to avoid making any distracting noises.