Latest news with #CrossCreekHighSchool
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
School leaders discuss online bullying prevention tool, as former RCSS parent speaks on daughter's two-year-long dilemma
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A Richmond County parent recently decided to take her child out of the school system because of what she calls a two-year-long bullying problem. Dr. Denise Granberry says she's been homeschooling her daughter for the past two months after a bullying problem that spanned more than two years at Cross Creek High School. Richmond County School leaders hope an online tool they've put in place will make it easier for them to address bullying. Granberry says her daughter's bully was a former boyfriend. What started as name calling turned into harassment and cyberbullying—for her daughter, it became too much. 'I feel like—I was heartbroken, and as a concerned parent, the school system failed me,' said Granberry. Georgia state law requires parents to be notified of bullying situations. Her daughter brought her concerns to school leaders, but Granberry says they did not take proper action. Her daughter then pepper-sprayed the alleged bully in what Granberry says self-defense, resulting in a 10-day suspension. 'We did proper protocol and reached out to the principal, and the principal just swept it under the rug. By him doing that, it made it unsafe for her,' Granberry said. 'She had no one to talk to about it, and by them not doing anything about it, she took it upon herself to protect herself. My daughter was not protected, and my daughter was not safe. So, for me as a parent, I took her out of the school system.' Since Granberry started homeschooling her daughter, she says her situation has improved tremendously. 'She's doing wonderful,' said Granberry. 'My daughter loves homeschool.' To help with bullying prevention, the school system is using an online tool known as SPRIGEO. Parents and students can find it on the school district's main website, and can use it to submit anonymous tips about a bullying problem. Interim Deputy Superintendent Marcus Allen says they've used the application for the last two school years, and the results have been positive. 'Parents and students feel very confident in being able to get that information in and getting a response as well. So that's where we've seen the improvement for students and staff to have a voice, and for parents to have a voice in putting bullying out. Sometimes, they don't want to tell someone, or they're concerned about the response. SPRIGEO gives them a chance to do it anonymously or with their name as well,' said Allen. He says parents and students can send requests for tips even outside of bullying. 'It could be bullying—which is the focus of SPRIGEO—but it could also come down to I'm just feeling like I'm not prepared for school tomorrow,' Allen said. 'They will put in a tip that requires general information, and that goes to leaders in that school—but also leaders at the school district as well to help monitor that process all the way through.' While bullying is a nationwide issue, Allen says Richmond County schools are safe learning environments—but improving safety must be a collective effort. 'We have a major part in making sure the kids are safe. The community has a major part in that as well. The students have a major part in that as well. No matter what tool you have in place, there has to be some level of announcement of the issue as well,' said Allen. 'I really do pray that they do something about it, and they listen to what we're saying, so that nobody's child will have to go through what my child went through,' Granberry said. School leaders say Granberry's experience motivates them even more to do everything they can to prevent bullying and ensure safety for all students. 'The ultimate way that we fix the uniqueness of each situation is by fair and clear communication. When you have two-way communication, you understand a person's need. When you have a plan to address that concern, we can begin to build that relationship to ultimately serve students best—and that's why we're all here,' said Allen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rich. Co. parents react to school board's recommendation on homestead exemption at 2nd public hearing
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Local school leaders are continuing discussions about the homestead exemption. Richmond County School Board members started their public hearings two weeks ago before the snowstorm, where we heard former Augusta mayor Bob Young share his frustrations about the recommendation. During Monday night's meeting, more Richmond County parents are saying the same. 'As a disabled veteran and homeowner, I don't need any more burden placed on me to be able to stay here in Richmond County,' said one parent. House Bill 581 was signed into law by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp last April to provide tax relief to homeowners. But Chief Financial Officer Bobby Smith is recommending opting out of the exemption because the millage rate cap is already in place, along with existing homestead exemptions. 'It doesn't affect assessed values, so it's not an additional exemption for the taxpayers and homeowners who pay taxes. But it does actually reduce our millage rate that the board sets, and because of that they're actually saving money because we are capped at what we can set,' said Smith. Some parents also taking to the podium to show support of this recommendation. 'Your community lives and breathes on the quality of your schools. Monitoring this, many counties across the state are opting out because it is so important to keep that money there for your students,' said Lisa Martin. The school board also discussed improving school safety at the regular board meeting. School leaders will soon be working with the school's public safety and climate departments to add metal detectors in three high schools in the county. Interim Superintendent Dr. Malinda Cobb confirmed this during her Superintendent's update. Last fall, Deputy Superintendent Horace Dunson confirmed to parents they would be installing metal detectors at Cross Creek High School. Now they will soon look to add them at Laney and Butler High Schools as well. Based on results, the school system could consider installing metal detectors at all high schools in the county. It is unclear when this process will begin, but count on NewsChannel 6 to provide more information as soon as we get it. Here is the full list of remaining public hearings on House Bill 581 for local school districts: Richmond County: Tuesday, February 11th at 3:30 PM at 864 Broad Street *Adoption Public Hearing* on Tuesday, February 18th at 6:30 PM at 864 Broad Street (during regular board meeting) Columbia County: Tuesday, January 28th at 6:00 PM at 4781 Hereford Farm Road Wednesday, January 29th at 8:00 AM at 4781 Hereford Farm Road Wilkes County: Tuesday, January 28th, 2025 at 6:00 PM at 313 N Alexander Ave Monday, February 10th, 2025 at 8:30 AM at 313 N Alexander Ave Warren County: Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM at 115 Gibson Hwy Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
