BRANTLEY COUNTY, Ga. – School is just days away in Brantley County, where many families were left without homes after the Highway 82 Fire in April destroyed tens of thousands of acres and burned more than 100 homes.
Students return to class on Aug. 4, the earliest start of any of our local school districts.
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Nothing is normal about what students and families are dealing with in Brantley County — but a return to school could be a chance to bring back a little normalcy.
A community shaken, a girl who brought joy
It was the end of the school year in April when students and families helplessly watched as parts of their community burned.
“We’re Brantley Strong,” said Aleahaa Croft, a young student whose spirit stood out even in the most uncertain moments.
Brantley County School District’s new superintendent, Walker Todd, saw the toll firsthand.
“There were over a hundred something kids displaced at one time,” Todd said.
More than 100 homes burned. Thankfully, Croft’s was not one of them — but we met her family in a raw moment on Highway 82 and State Road 110 West as the area was being evacuated while first responders and planes rushed in.
Back together, months later
Things have changed since the fire. Aleaha and her family met with us in the parking lot of a Family Dollar, where flames once burned not far on Browntown Road. She and her brother had a pretty good summer.
“It was really fun. We’ve been going to daycare Thursdays and Fridays, and they have like water slides there sometimes,” she said.
The last time News4JAX saw Aleaha, she was heading home after her first day back to school before the year ended.
Now, she and her brother, Jason, are heading back for the new school year — Aleaha moving up to a new school, Jason staying where he is.
Aleaha and her brother still have their house, but they know other students were not so lucky.
“Yeah, my friend, his house burnt down,” she said.
When asked what she would say to other kids heading back to school after going through something so hard, Aleaha didn’t hesitate.
“I tell them to just keep praying and everything, and maybe you’ll get a new house and something and just try helping out your parents because you know it’s hard for them too because they’ve probably been to that house their whole life and now, they’ve got to get new money for it and everything, and that’s really hard,” she said.
New superintendent, same mission
Perhaps no one understands the weight of this new school year more than Todd, who is stepping into the role of superintendent for the first time.
“It’s just not knowing if every student is going to be able to make it back into Brantley County,” Todd said.
When asked whether the school district would be ready for families whenever they are ready to return, Todd was direct. He said the doors are open whenever families are ready to walk through them.
“It’s exciting; for 29 years, my 30th year, this is what I’ve been doing. It’s what I love, and I’m just ready to get another year started,” Todd said.
With students set to return Aug. 4, it is a new day, a new year and a new leader — but the same familiar smiles.
“I just want to make sure that our kids know that we’re here for them, we have empathy definitely for what happened but also knowing that school and public education is extremely important and just giving them that opportunity to learn, to do new things, and just to be able to have what they need in order to be successful in life,” Todd said.
And in classic Brantley County fashion, Aleaha and Jason closed it out together.
“We are Brantley Strong!” they said.
Resources for Brantley County families
For those needing help with food, clothing or toiletries, Brantley County Georgia Family Connection has assisted dozens of families in the aftermath of the fire. The organization recently reported that most people who were without homes or displaced are now in campers.
Services include access to toiletries, food, and washer and dryer facilities. Resources and donation information are available on this website.