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Athens News Matters: Tommy Valentine Discusses Controversy over the historic West Broad School site

accgov.com

For years, the West Broad School site has been the subject of intense controversy for the Clarke County School District.

The site, a historic reminder of the “separate but equal” era in public education, has been the focal point of debate and disagreement between historic preservation advocates and the school district.

Last week, the Board of Education saw two possible plans for the site. Both would preserve the 1939 Minor Street building, but one plan calls for the complete demolition of a 1950s building on Campbell Lane.

After this interview was taped, the Clarke County Board of Education, in a surprise move, voted narrowly to approve neither site plan, and to send the concept back to the drawing board.

WUGA's Alexia Ridley talks with Tommy Valentine of Historic Athens: 

Chris Shupe began work at WUGA as a part time weekend announcer in 2010. At the time Shupe was focused on maintaining a thriving career in Real Estate, as well as balancing his time as a local entertainer. Shupe may be best known as The Athens King, a tribute to Elvis Presley, which often included an 8 piece show band! In 2012, Shupe joined WUGA full time as the station’s Morning Edition Host and Assistant Operations Director, and after 2 years of serving in that role Shupe was hired as Program Director for the station. As PD, Shupe spearheaded a return to more involvement in national conferences and continuing education opportunities through industry professional organizations like the Public Radio Program Director's Association, Public Media Development and Marketing Association, Morning Edition Grad School, the NAB, and the Public Media Journalists Association. This involvement led Shupe to undertake a comprehensive market study in 2015, the first such examination of local audience trends in more than 15 years.
Alexia Ridley joined WUGA as Television and Radio News Anchor and Reporter in 2013. When WUGA TV concluded operations, she became the primary Reporter for WUGA Radio. Alexia came to Athens from Macon where she served as the News Director and show host for WGXA TV. She's a career journalist and Savannah native hailing from the University of Michigan. However, Alexia considers herself an honorary UGA DAWG!
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