ATKINSON COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — Atkinson County School System officials dismissed all students and staff Friday after the school system received a bomb threat.

According to the school system, all students and staff are safe. Out of an abundance of caution, all schools were dismissed for the remainder of the day as officials followed established safety protocols and worked with law enforcement.

Parents and guardians were asked to make arrangements for someone to be available to receive their children when school buses arrive at home.

Atkinson County School System Superintendent Melissa Willbanks said the district has protocols in place to respond to situations like this.

At this time, no one is allowed on campus except parents and law enforcement, according to the school system.

The district is also asking parents to “please make arrangements as soon as possible for someone to be available to receive your child when the school bus arrives at home.”

WALB reporter Taylor Lewis spoke with a parent at the scene who was picking up their child. “I hope whoever did this, pays,” the parent said.

Willbanks said she will continue to provide updates as officials learn more.

WALB has reached out to law enforcement and school officials for additional information and is awaiting responses.

The school system said the safety of students and staff remains its highest priority and thanked families and the community for their patience, cooperation and understanding.

The school district said there will be a debrief with law enforcement on Monday to discuss what happened in this incident, review the response, and determine whether any additional safety measures are needed. The district will continue to provide updates to families and staff.

This is a developing story. WALB will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and X. For more south Georgia news, download the WALB News app and add WALB as a preferred source on Google.

Copyright 2026 WALB. All rights reserved.