Education
Education

Henry school board approves contentious land deal

Attorney A.J. (Buddy) Welch, Jr. AJC FILE PHOTO
Attorney A.J. (Buddy) Welch, Jr. AJC FILE PHOTO
By
Nov 15, 2016

Henry County school board members voted Monday night in favor of a proposal to spend about $5.3 million to purchase about 90 acres to build two schools from the family of an attorney who does work for the school district.

The proposal was criticized by some, such as state Sen. Emanuel Jones, as a conflict-of-interest. The attorney, A.J. "Buddy" Welch Jr., said he gave ownership of the land to relatives to avoid such concerns when he realized the school district was seriously considering purchasing the property.

The school district wants to build a high school and middle school in McDonough to deal with the population growth in that area.

About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

Follow Eric Stirgus on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

HBCUs nationally will get $438 million, according to the UNCF, previously known as the United Negro College Fund. Georgia has 10 historically Black colleges and universities. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta HBCUs win millions from White House — but it could be at others’ expense

The additional allocation from the Trump administration will bring federal HBCU funding to a total of more than $1.34 billion in fiscal year 2025.

Georgia teachers on leave for Charlie Kirk social media posts

Cobb school employees join a growing list of people fired or suspended from jobs across the nation for allegedly inflammatory social media posts.

Atlanta HBCUs lift shelter-in-place order after threat

Clark Atlanta, Morris Brown, Morehouse and Spelman issued now-lifted shelter-in-place orders Thursday after a threat to CAU.

The Latest

HBCUs nationally will get $438 million, according to the UNCF, previously known as the United Negro College Fund. Georgia has 10 historically Black colleges and universities. (Daniel Varnado for the AJC)

Credit: Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta HBCUs win millions from White House — but it could be at others’ expense

Georgia teachers on leave for Charlie Kirk social media posts

Atlanta HBCUs lift shelter-in-place order after threat

Featured

The city of Atlanta opened Azalea Fresh Market downtown to help residents find affordable groceries. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Metro Atlanta consumers grapple with higher prices on food, other goods

Inflation recently reached its highest level this year, with prices increasing for food, housing and other necessities.

Raffensperger, who rebuffed Trump in 2020, runs for Georgia governor

He was the Republican who told Donald Trump no. Now the secretary of state is telling Georgia voters he wants to be their next governor.

South Georgia football coach resigns after 0-5 start

Wayne County’s John Mohring resigned Tuesday afternoon, becoming the third GHSA football coach to step down since the season began.