08/30/2026
Jefferson Davis County School District Community
Statement from Superintendent Ike Haynes
The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff is, and will always be, my highest priority.
On Friday, August 28, J.E. Johnson Elementary School was dismissed early as a precaution due to a concern regarding a possible gas leak on campus. Out of an abundance of caution, students were evacuated from the building to ensure the safety of everyone on campus.
Following the evacuation, we immediately contacted a professional vendor to conduct a thorough walkthrough of the campus. The vendor determined that there was no gas leak on the J.E. Johnson Elementary campus. During the inspection, they identified an uncovered valve that was causing a gas-like odor to be present in certain areas of the building.
However, we did not stop there. To provide an additional level of assurance that our students, faculty, and staff would return to a safe environment, I worked with our maintenance team and the gas company again today, Sunday, August 30. Another walkthrough and inspection of the campus were conducted, and we have received confirmation that the building is safe for students and staff to return.
Therefore, J.E. Johnson Elementary School will resume normal operations on Monday, August 31.
I sincerely appreciate the patience, understanding, and cooperation of our students, parents, faculty, and staff throughout this situation. I want our families to know that we will always err on the side of caution when it comes to the safety of our children and employees.
Thank you for your continued trust and support as we work together to provide a safe and secure learning environment for every student.
Superintendent Ike Haynes
Jefferson Davis County School District
