Hancock County schools close after snakes spotted on campus

District shuts down schools through Friday as environmental inspection is conducted after multiple snake sightings

HANCOCK COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – All schools and offices in the Hancock County School District are closed through Friday due to an environmental safety concern.

District leaders say two snakes were spotted outside on one of the school’s campuses, and one was reportedly seen inside a building. Interim Superintendent Latrasha Palmer says that discovery prompted the district to take immediate action.

Palmer says while nothing dangerous has been confirmed, the district is not taking any chances.

“We did see snakes, two snakes on the outside of the perimeter, we did, but when I saw one was reported on the inside I knew expeditiously I had to ensure what type of snake it was,” Palmer said. “So once I found out that it has the potential to be poisonous, we consulted with a licensed environmentalist who’s going to come in and check all of our schools. Not one school, not two schools but all of them.”

According to the district, a licensed environmental specialist will inspect every school building as a precaution.

Palmer says the district plans to return to a normal schedule on Monday, August 10, pending the results of that full inspection.

She says the district will share updates once the inspection is complete and wants families to know student safety remains the top priority.