DANDRIDGE, Tenn. — Update (12/14/21)
Jefferson County Schools said all schools, including Dandridge Elementary, would be open and on a regular schedule on Tuesday morning.
Original Story
Jefferson County Schools said Dandridge Elementary School students are being dismissed immediately after a fire in one of the bathrooms on Monday.
The school closed in response to the fire that began just prior to the start of the school day, according to a release from the school district. The incident began at 7:50 a.m. in a restroom on the 2nd-grade hallway after a student used a device to set toilet paper on fire in one of the stalls.
The district said students were just arriving for class when a staff member noticed a student exit the restroom and smelled smoke. When the staff member went into the restroom, they found a fire in one of the stalls where the toilet paper had spread to the plastic molding that holds the paper and onto one of the partition walls.
Staff members notified the school administration and started fire evacuations, according to the release. One staff member used a portable fire extinguisher to try to contain the fire.
The district said Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Coffey and his staff immediately opened space at the nearby Jefferson County Justice Center to help place children in a warmer environment and to ensure better supervision of the student population.
Students were relocated to the Jefferson County Justice Center for dismissal where parents could pick them up, according to a post on the district's website. Bus riders were also dismissed from the Justice Center.
Director of Schools Shane Johnston said no one was hurt.
The administrative team and local law enforcement have identified the student that set fire in the restroom, according to the district. The student has been appropriately disciplined and will not be on campus "the balance of the first semester."
“Thanks to our faculty and parents for pulling together in dealing with a situation that was unexpected. With everyone working together, the students and adults were safe and all students were able to be safely delivered back to their respective homes," Dandridge Elementary Principal Jim Hodge said.
The district said the closure affects only Dandridge Elementary School. All other Jefferson County Schools will remain in session.
Jefferson County Schools said a decision on resuming school for Dandridge Elementary will be made Monday night after cleanup crews give an estimated timeframe for the work to be completed.
“We also would like to thank Sheriff Jeff Coffey and all the various offices associated with the Jefferson County Justice Center for opening their doors to keep our students warm and safe. Using this building for a reunification center worked well and everyone’s efforts to help our teachers and students is greatly appreciated,” Johnston said.