Aug. 27, 2025

Kindergarten Center reopens just in time for first day of school

Campuses being repopulated with students to kick off a new academic year only told half the story on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

“It’s nothing short of a Christmas miracle,” commented Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center Principal Christy Young as teachers finished moving back into their classrooms the week prior. 

Dille Pollard Architecture had conducted a substantial completion inspection on Friday, Aug. 8, after the building sustained an estimated $5.4 million in damages as a result of the EF-3 tornado.

The 2014/15 school year wrapped up in May under temporary provisions, with kindergartners being relocated to Mark Twain School on North Main Street while alternative school students went to the Tinnin Fine Arts Center at Three Rivers College, as the Missouri United School Insurance Council made its assessment. 

During a two-week extended closure following on the heels of spring break, Chartwells reported serving approximately 32,700 curbside meals, including those provided during the district’s child care service offering to families, along with meals supplied to Boys and Girls Club members. 

Many small decisions were made along the way in order to expedite the rebuilding process, beginning with Cotton Global Disaster Solutions installing a temporary roof over the structure within a week of the March 14 tornado, while ServPro mitigated water damage. 

The Board of Education greenlit Zoellner Construction to serve as general contractor, allowing materials — including 60,000 square feet of metal for the roof — to be ordered early to avoid supply delays. Matt Zoellner, chief executive officer, prioritized the job – with crews working six days a week, even adding Sundays toward the final stretch, despite facing unseasonable rain followed by an extended heatwave.

In true Mule fashion, schools came together to help move multiple times, with Mark Twain returning to its home campus as well. Extra supplies were donated by businesses, organizations, churches and individuals. Minor repair work was also completed on a portion of the roof at O’Neal Elementary School, which sustained wind damage, along with the Early Childhood playground.

Above: Kindergartner Jett Brown settled into Brittany Robertson’s classroom after being dropped off by his mother, Alyson Blair, on the first day of school.

Below: Poplar Bluff Police Department Officer Taylor Harlow takes a selfie while joining kindergartners for breakfast service on Wednesday, Aug. 20.

Education leaders recognized as part of Difference Makers event

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe served as a special guest during the Daily American Republic’s seventh annual Difference Makers banquet Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Black River Coliseum – in honor of the community leaders who came together to rebuild after the EF-3 tornado.

“In tragedy, we witnessed Missouri’s best,” said Gov. Kehoe who, the day after the tornado touched down March 14, visited the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center, which was among the dozens of businesses and organizations, and hundreds of homes that were reportedly damaged in Butler County.

Following the governor’s keynote address, R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman joined Three Rivers College President Dr. Wes Payne in reflecting on losses sustained to educational facilities, yet how the community rallied around its schools to minimize disruptions for students. 

“This experience has shown us that strength doesn’t come from buildings. Strength comes from people. It comes from the unwavering resolve of this community,” Cornman stated. “We are more than a collection of schools. We are a Poplar Bluff Mule family.”

Cornman expressed graditute to legislators, state education officials, county and city leaders, architects and contractors, the Board of Education, his superintendent cabinet, teachers, custodians, maintenance and transportation staff, school social workers and countless volunteers for playing a role in the swift recovery.

Kindergarten Principal Christy Young’s story was spotlighted for riding out the storm in the very campus facility where she was employed as a first-year administrator, attempting to seek refuge in the Kindergarten Center, as the 145-mile-per-hour winds tore the roof off. 

The event proceeded to honor the first responders who assisted families displaced and injured in the storm, with one casualty unfortunately confirmed. Linemen and chainsaw crews through Samaritan’s Purse and Texans on Mission were celebrated for their recovery efforts, while storm spotters and media outlets were commended for keeping the public informed throughout the disaster.

The 2025 Difference Maker of the Year was Jerry Moore, New Covenant Fellowship Church pastor, for his immediate actions in helping to evacuate residents of the devastated Harmony Hills Trailer Park. The DAR donated over $12,000 raised from banquet proceeds toward the Bread Shed’s warming center.

Above: Gov. Mike Kehoe served as the keynote speaker at the Difference Makers banquet for his role in expediting the deployment of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Missouri National Guard and Missouri Task Force One in the wake of the tornado that struck Butler County and other regions of the state.

Below: R-I Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman served as one of 10 featured speakers, representing various sectors of the community involved in recovery efforts in response to the devastating tornado.

Poplar Bluff Schools hosts professional development for education community

Approximately a dozen professional development opportunities were offered to staff members this summer, including a series of larger-scale workshops hosted in-district, open to neighboring school systems.

“Hosting quality professional development has become a hallmark of Poplar Bluff Schools,” stated Patty Robertson, Dr. Rondi Vaughn’s predecessor as assistant superintendent of curriculum, now retired from R-I.

The 12th annual iThink Academy was hosted at Junior High in July, featuring representation from over a dozen area schools. The workshop was organized by R-I instructional coaches Pam Davis and Gretchen Pendley in tandem with their team of building ambassadors from across the district. They, along with partnering presenters, offered around 25 sessions for voluntary participants to choose from. Topics ranged from cutting-edge instructional technology and classroom management tools to mental health and self-care, according to organizers.

“I’m always impressed when attending PB Connect and iThink Academy about how incredibly well-planned the events are. Everything runs smoothly, everyone is kind and accommodating,” remarked Clinical Manager Sara Woodard, who presented on behalf of FCC Behavioral Health. “…It’s rare to have school staff from so many districts in one room for PD purposes.”

Earlier in the summer, the district hosted approximately 150 school facility professionals from throughout the state, including half of R-I's buildings and grounds team, for a two-day workshop at PBHS presented by the Missouri School Plant Managers Association with breakout sessions focusing on housekeeping, HVAC, maintenance and repair, and supervision.

Most recently, over 100 bus drivers from nine area school systems, including Poplar Bluff’s Transportation Department, participated in pupil transportation training at the Middle School presented by the Missouri United School Insurance Council, covering best practices and safety standards in preparation for the academic year.

Above: La Keesha Higgs, Family & Consumer Sciences instructor at Junior High, leads a session about easy recipes for busy teachers during iThink Academy on Tuesday, July 29, in her newly remodeled classroom.

Below: Custodial and maintenance personnel participate in a two-day workshop presented by the Missouri School Plant Managers Association in collaboration with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Thursday and Friday, May 29-30, at PBHS.

Community partners host school supply drives for students

The Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center recently organized a school supply drive among its staff to beneift students in need. The collection, based on school supply lists, was directed to district social workers last week to be dispersed this academic year.

Ross Fuel Center also took up a similar collection, while the United Way of Southeast Missouri hosted its annual Stuff the Bus event in conjunction with Missouri's tax-free weekend at Walmart Supercenter earlier this month.

Above: R-I Assistant Superintendent of Business Charles Kinsey and Carla Thompson, administrative assistant to the superintendent, organize a school supply donation personally delivered last week by Clyde Wood, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center chief operating officer.

Labor Day

School will be dismissed for students on Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day, and will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

School Board

The Board of Education will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, in the Administrative Building.

On Thursday, May 22, KBSI Fox23 reported about Dollar General making a generous donation to the Kindergarten Center.

On Friday, May 23, KBSI Fox23 reported about Patty Robertson receiving a proclamation by the Missouri House of Representatives for her 33 years of dedicated service to the Poplar Bluff school system.

On Tuesday, May 27, the DAR recognized our PBHS scholarship recipients through the American Red Cross.

On Sunday, June 1, the DAR reported about Patrick Slack of PBHS being named a Class 5 state champion in the 110 hurdles.

On Thursday, June 5, the DAR reported about Zoë Freeman’s historic wrestling career at PBHS.

On Tuesday, June 17, the DAR reported about enrichment opportunities offered to Poplar Bluff students during summer school.

On Thursday, June 19, KWOC announced the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame’s 2025 class.

The DAR also reported about the HOF induction.

On Tuesday, June 24, KWOC reported about Michaley Krizman of PBHS getting accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy.

On Thursday, June 26, the DAR reported about the special program put on by partners at Eugene Field during the final day of summer school.

On Monday, June 30, the DAR kicked off its Teacher of the Year series recognizing Regina Blalock of the Early Childhood Center.

On Tuesday, July 1, the DAR continued its TOY series with Beth Bliss of the Junior High.

KWOC reported about our back-to-school checklist for families.

On Wednesday, July 2, the DAR featured TCC TOY, Abby Crites.

On Thursday, July 3, the DAR featured Oak Grove TOY, Sheila Henderson.

On Monday, July 7, the DAR featured Lake Road TOY, Taylor Lowe.

On Tuesday, July 8, the DAR featured Kindergarten TOY, Amy Morse.

On Tuesday, July 15, KWOC promoted the district’s back-to-school checklist again.

The DAR featured Mark Twain TOY, Zac Moore.

On Wednesday, July 16, the DAR reported about O’Neal TOY, Laura Beth Smith.

On Tuesday, July 22, KFVS12 reported about the district’s restoration efforts at the Kindergarten Center.

On Wednesday, July 23, the DAR advanced the Kindergarten Center’s open house.

On Thursday, July 24, the MSBA highlighted KVFS12’s Kindergarten Center segment.

KWOC reported about our open house/orientation schedule.

On Friday, July 25, KWOC reported about our Transportation Department’s efforts to build bus routes in preparation for the school year.

On Monday, July 28, the DAR provided a back-to-school guide for patrons.

On Tuesday, July 29, the DAR introduced Assistant Athletic Director Jake Nickelson.

On Wednesday, July 30, KWOC reported about the district’s ParentSquare launch.

On Friday, Aug. 1, the DAR reported about our annual Muleskinner Golf Tournament.

On Monday, Aug. 11, KFVS12 produced a follow-up segment about teachers moving back into classrooms at the Kindergarten Center.

On Thursday, Aug. 14, the DAR picked up its TOY series with a feature about Jennie Randolph, formerly of PBHS.

On Saturday, Aug. 16, the DAR published the district’s 12th annual Mule Prints magazine!

On Monday, Aug. 18, KBSI Fox 23 reported about Eugene Field being named a 2025 Missouri Gold Star School; and Megan Miller being hired as principal of Lake Road.

On Wednesday, Aug. 20, the DAR reported about the first day of school.

On Friday, Aug. 22, the DAR featured education leaders who were a part of the Difference Makers banquet.

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, the DAR reported about the Kindergarten Center’s open house celebration.

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