Leroy Watson was driving a Red Clay Consolidated School District van July 22 with six students and two other paraprofessionals headed for the Meadowood Program, when he smelled the faint odor of plastic burning and followed "the rule."
What rule?
"When in doubt, get them out," Red Clay spokeswoman Pati D. Nash said.
Watson pulled over and got everyone off the van a mile away from Meadowood, which houses special education programs, on Kirkwood Highway.
"Just as they were walking away, there was a spark under the hood and the van was engulfed in flames in about two minutes," Nash said.
For Watson's clear thinking and immediate action, the Red Clay Consolidated School District recently honored the Meadowood Program paraprofessional. He received a standing ovation at the Red Clay Board meeting August 20 at Warner Elementary School.
