Richmond County School System announced today that it is one of four districts across the state to benefit from a new education equity initiative, funded by Georgia Power, designed to support impactful local programs in communities of color and facilitate holistic generational change. The program, which also includes Clayton County Public Schools, Dougherty County School System and Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, represents a $3 million investment that will address specific needs and opportunities identified by the school community focused on improving career readiness and multigenerational economic stability.   

Beginning this summer, Richmond County School System will expand student participation in its Students2Work program, which provides high school students with job skills training and work experience. In the 2022-2023 school year, schools in the T.W. Josey High School and Westside High School communities will use targeted funds to support growing stronger readers, K-12 education and workforce readiness. Future plans include support for access to an early reading program for all children in Richmond County. The school system is also planning to restart its Parent University Program to help parents complete up to six credits to earn a high school diploma.

“Partnerships like this one with Georgia Power are key for the school system to meet the needs of our children before they reach the school system and to prepare them for future success while they are in our classrooms,” said Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw. “We appreciate the vision of Georgia Power to invest in our children and help us make sure they build the skills today to be ready for tomorrow.”

“Building on Georgia Power’s longstanding partnership with Richmond County School System through programs such as Learning Power and the success of the Marion Barnes Skilled Trade Center, we’re proud to continue to support local programs that prepare students for the careers of the future,” said Jason Cuevas, Vice President, East Region, Georgia Power. “We believe that investments in education generate opportunity for real, inclusive economic growth and, through strong local programs such as Students2Work, help provide Augusta-area students with meaningful opportunities to grow academically, professionally and personally.”

School districts participating in the new initiative were selected by Georgia Power based on interviews with key influencers in the education space and on research on family poverty rates, unemployment, access to early learning, Kindergarten readiness, postsecondary preparedness and postsecondary attainment. Enhancing education equity – spanning multiple areas such as early childhood, K-12, higher education and promoting equitable education policy – is one of Georgia Power’s social justice pillars, with the company committed to improving and strengthening education in underserved communities to help students of all ages build brighter futures. 

Georgia Power’s longstanding commitment to improving education and supporting the state’s educators include workforce development programs, power plant tours, partnerships with various education nonprofits, and the company’s marquee Learning Power program. Learn more at www.GeorgiaPower.com/Education.