Camden County Schools have decided to prolong the temporary relocation of St. Mary’s Elementary after the discovery of over 200 bats inhabiting the school premises, as confirmed by the Camden County Superintendent.

Students and faculty will continue their classes at the College of Coastal Georgia, located at 8001 Lakes Boulevard in Kingsland, from Tuesday, January 20, to Thursday, January 22. Schools in the district will be closed on Monday, January 19, to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The St. Mary’s Elementary campus will remain off-limits through January 22, 2026, as extensive remediation work is carried out, according to district officials. A teacher workday is slated for Friday, January 23, to give staff time to organize classrooms and educational spaces. Students are scheduled to return to the school campus on Monday, January 26.

The district assures that bus transportation will continue for current bus riders and will be extended to students who usually walk to school. School hours will remain unchanged. While morning extended day program services will not be available, the after-school Extended Day Program (EDP) will continue as planned. Both breakfast and lunch will be served daily, and recess will remain part of the daily schedule.

Bus transportation will continue for students who currently ride the bus, and transportation will also be provided for students who typically walk to school. School hours will remain unchanged. Morning extended day program services will not be available, though after-school EDP will continue. Breakfast and lunch will be served daily, and recess will remain part of the school schedule.

Students who do not attend school during the temporary relocation will be administratively excused. Make-up work will be provided when students return following the weekend on Jan. 26.

District leaders said removing a bat infestation is a highly regulated, multi-step process designed to protect student and staff health while complying with environmental laws. The district is working with licensed wildlife removal and facilities professionals and consulting with state and federal agencies because bat populations are protected by law.

Before the building can be reoccupied, St. Mary’s Elementary must receive clearance following inspections by certified air quality technicians and the local health department. Those inspections are required to confirm indoor air quality meets safety standards and poses no health risk.

Remediation includes a top-to-bottom cleaning and sanitation of the entire school, specialized cleaning of impacted areas, removal and replacement of damaged ceiling tiles, and replacement of gutters and other exterior components affected by the bats. All work must be completed, inspected and verified before the campus can reopen.

Camden County Schools said the additional time is necessary to complete the work thoroughly and responsibly, emphasizing that the safety and well-being of students and staff remains the district’s top priority.

District officials thanked families and staff for their patience and said additional updates will be shared as they become available. The district also expressed gratitude to the College of Coastal Georgia and local community partners for providing support and space during the temporary relocation.