Jennifer Scott presents new updates on the West Broad Street School redevelopment at the Clarke County Board of Education West Broad Street School public information session on Dec. 2, 2025. Scott addressed upcoming career pathways through the Athens Community Career Academy, including construction and welding. (Photo/Clarice Henry)
The Clarke County Board of Education announced plans Tuesday to redevelop West Broad Street School into an Athens Community Career Academy, a process that outlines a blueprint for career pathways, an outdoor community space and a commitment to honoring the site’s deep roots in Black Athenians’ education.
The district has made initial stability efforts for the past three months, including increased police patrol and extensive site cleanup, Jennifer Scott, the interim superintendent, said during a public information session. The district anticipates the project will take about two years, she said, though the timeline remains uncertain until the construction pathway receives state approval.
“We must act now, both to preserve an important part of Athens history and to move forward with a plan that gives this space a new life,” Scott said.
West Broad Street School suffered extreme structural damages after a fire in September 2025. Many Black Athenians have pushed to preserve its history and protect the significance of the landmark, following constant weather exposure and vandalism as the building has been unused for more than eight years.
“I went to West Broad Street in second grade, so a lot of people hang on to the history,” said Walter Allen Jr., an on-air personality for WXAG, an urban contemporary radio station. “You can preserve your history, but you also have to look in advance of what’s best for the community.”
Construction, welding and public safety are some of the career pathways planned to provide access to high-demand fields to reflect community needs, Scott said.
There will be three main buildings: the Minor Street Building, Campbell Lane Building and an outdoor community space that is a combined 21,000 square feet with four classrooms. The school will offer hands-on learning opportunities to strengthen the school-to-workforce pipeline by creating a standard lab that meets Corporate Transparent Act requirements.
“I think what they’re trying to do is the right thing,” said Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Dexter Fisher, a 2026 Athens mayoral candidate. “Anything to do with education for our young people, it’s the right thing to do.”
District leaders emphasized creating a committee made up of residents to give a voice to the Black community where neighbors can shape and influence major decisions. This community-led involvement is intended to ensure equal representation to address local needs, preserve its legacy and maintain strong communication between the neighborhood and school district, Scott said.
The renovations will include a Heritage Room designed to honor former students, educators and families who attended the school. The space will feature a hallway display of historic artifacts, photographs and stories that reflect its legacy, similar to H.T. Edwards building.
The district plans to use E-SPLOST funds for the West Broad Street School renovations, said Scott, who said a cost or completion date is not determined yet.
Clarice Henry is a journalism major in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.
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