The Restoration Effort at West Broad Street School Gains Momentum with New Funding
The Clarke County School District Board of Education has taken decisive action to address the aftermath of a recent fire at the historic West Broad Street School, allocating $142,000 for cleanup efforts. This move aims to rehabilitate the site after the fire incident, which raised concerns about the school’s condition.
On October 2, the Athens-Clarke County Fire Department responded to a fire at the school, identifying arson as the cause. To deter future acts of vandalism, the fire marshal recommended an interior cleanup. Additionally, the school requires asbestos abatement, a critical step in ensuring safety and preservation.
Previously, in 2021, the Board of Education had plans to demolish parts of the site but did not move forward with those plans. Now, with renewed focus, the board is working to secure and maintain the historic site.
Historic Athens, an organization committed to preserving local heritage, highlights the significance of the West Broad Street School as one of the pioneering educational institutions for African-American students in the area, dating back to the late 1800s.
Linda Davis, a board member representing the district where the school is located, emphasized the need for diligent care of the property. She stated, “It does not look like anything I would want to hang my little hat up and say, oh yeah, this is great CCSD property. I need for it to look better. I need for it to be more functioning… We will never be able to buy a piece of property on that street ever in the history of the school district so it has to remain ours, and we need to take care of it as if we value it.”
In a show of unanimous support, the board members approved the funding, signaling a commitment to preserving the historic site for future generations.
