BRANTLEY COUNTY, Ga. – As the smoke grew heavy and flames spread in Brantley County on Tuesday, Waynesville Primary School and Atkinson Elementary School were evacuated.
Dr. Kim Morgan, superintendent of Brantley County Schools, spoke to News4JAX on Thursday and described how quickly the situation unfolded.
“Our operations director actually had the discernment to go ahead and work alongside the transportation director and get some buses ready and routed to those schools, just in case we needed to evacuate,” Morgan said.
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Within about 20 minutes, a call from the county sheriff and county manager ordered an immediate evacuation of both schools. Teachers and administrators loaded students onto buses, leaving their personal vehicles behind — some of which remain at the schools.
Among those homes caught in the fire’s path was Waynesville Primary School counselor Jay Sweat. He lost his home during the evacuation — but refused to leave until every student was reunited with their family.
“I said to him, ‘You can go. You can go, you need to go,’” Morgan said. “And he said, ‘No, Dr. Morgan, my house — I can’t help my house right now, but I can help these children. I’m going to stay until all of them are back with their families.’”
A school bus driver faced a similar heartbreak. While driving her afternoon route, her home was burning, the driver later learned.
Brantley County schools remain closed as wildfires continue to burn across the region, forcing the emergency evacuation of two schools and leaving some students and staff without homes.
At least 54 homes have been destroyed by the wildfire that has scorched more than 5,000 acres, officials said. `
Morgan said schools that closed on Tuesday will remain closed on Friday.
Despite the widespread destruction, Morgan said school properties have been spared.
“Our schools are still staying safe. There’s been no damage to any school or property, and praise God, there’s been no lives lost during this devastation,” Morgan said.
With two school buildings potentially off-limits, Morgan said district leaders are already working on contingency plans and have a meeting scheduled with administrators to determine what school could look like next week.
Morgan also expressed gratitude for emergency responders working tirelessly throughout the crisis.