JONESBORO — For decades, the Jonesboro Rosenwald School was a haven for local African-American children to get an education in the segregated South.
Now, the Clayton County Public Schools will be preserving that history as a groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday for the Rosenwald School Rejuvenation Project.
“We honor the legacy of those who built this school and those who attended this school,” CCPS Chief of Capital Improvements Ronick Joseph said.
The building on Smith Street will be renovated into a model classroom, museum and meeting hall.
Joseph said that as a student at nearby Lee Street Elementary in the 1980s, he didn’t know the school existed and was unaware of its history.
One of the goals of the renovation is to make sure the community will always remember the legacy of the Rosenwald School — also known as Jonesboro Colored School.
“We are not just restoring walls and roofs — we are preserving memories, honoring traditions and reconstructing a space where the community can thrive once again,” Joseph said.
Clayton County Board of Commissioners Chair Jeffrey Turner grew up in Clayton County and graduated from Morrow High School, but like Joseph, was not aware of the Rosenwald School.
“That’s a shame,” Turner said. “The only way for us to know about our history, where we came from and to reflect on where we’re going is to know our past and those people who laid the foundation for us to be here where we are today.”
The effort to renovate the building came about because of a community effort — including CCPS, the City of Jonesboro, the Jonesboro Historic Preservation Commission, former educators and leaders and other local residents.
“I’m glad Clayton County Public Schools, the city of Jonesboro, and the great county of Clayton have all connected together to make sure we preserve a tremendous part…
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