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

WUGA | By Tommy Valentine
Published September 10, 2021 at 8:43 PM EDT
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: 
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Chris Shupe
Chris Shupe was the Program Director of WUGA from 2014-2022. Shupe may be best known as The Athens King, a tribute to Elvis Presley, which often included an 8 piece show band! After two years as a part-time announcer, Chris Shupe joined WUGA full time as the station’s Morning Edition Host and Assistant Operations Director. He was later promoted to PD in 2014.
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Alexia Ridley
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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Jeanne Davis
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