Poplar Bluff School District

FACS instructor Candace Hovis (forefront) stands beside a donation of shelving units and materials arranged by substitute teacher Donna Woods (back) for the new sewing elective to be offered at PBHS next year.

Throwback teacher to reintroduce dedicated sewing class at PBHS

A Poplar Bluff educator has built a legacy around reintroducing the practical arts she can recall learning back when she was a student in the district. Candace Hovis, who teaches Family and

April 30, 2026

(From left) Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Roderick, Ayema Ahsan, Levi Ferguson, Hattie Scobey, Jackson Kennedy and Dr. Valerie Ivy pose in the JROTC wing of PBHS. Not present for the photo was Victoria Pennell, who is also Washington-bound.

PBHS JROTC academic team to vie in National Championship

The Pvt. Billie G. Kanell JROTC Battalion has qualified to vie in the 2026 Leadership & Academic Bowl Championship for the first time in the 29-year history of the Poplar Bluff High School

April 30, 2026

TCC student Milly Hampton is pictured wearing her first-place SkillsUSA T-shirt, alongside instructor Alex Nicolini and TCC Director Dr. Leigh Ann Cornman.

TCC student produces first-place brand design for SkillsUSA Missouri

A Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center senior made local history by winning the secondary brand design category for the first time in the decade-long SkillsUSA Missouri contest, while several

April 30, 2026

Addison Hutson, PBHS junior, displays a certificate she received on Wednesday, April 1, for winning an essay contest and qualifying to participate in the Missouri Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., at the end of spring.

PBHS student wins D.C. trip with successful essay

A Poplar Bluff High School junior will experience an all-expense paid week-long trip to the nation’s capital as the result of winning an essay contest Wednesday, April 1, through Ozark Border

April 16, 2026

ugene Field Elementary is shown from the southeast corner, where the district also owns acreage on the other side of Cross Street.

District awarded $1.5M grant for FEMA safe room at Eugene Field

Over $1.5 million has been awarded to the Poplar Bluff School District to construct a tornado safe room designed to withstand winds of up to 250 miles per hour at Eugene Field Elementary

April 2, 2026

Adam Moeller, PBHS counselor, presents senior Claire Funke with a certificate of merit on Friday, March 6, for being selected as a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

PBHS siblings named back-to-back National Merit finalists

Poplar Bluff High School has produced its second consecutive National Merit Scholarship Program finalist, and they happen to be siblings. PBHS senior Claire Funke was presented a certificate of

March 19, 2026

Kindergarten students and staff gather to say thank you for prioritizing repairing their building on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Educators reflect one year after tornado devastated Kindergarten Center

March 19, 2026

Runner-up Cohen Wilkerson (right) congratulates spelling champion Tony Webb on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Fox Radio Network.

Lake Road captures CRC title, top R-I spellers advance

A Lake Road student won the third grade battle for Butler County, bringing back the spelling championship trophy to the lower elementary school for the first time since 2019. Tony Webb Jr. was

March 6, 2026

Eugene Field Elementary School Principal Kristen Spain earned a regional award as an outstanding early career principal this week in Osage Beach.

Spain named 2026 Missouri Exemplary New Principal

With Eugene Field recently honored among the state’s top elementary schools, it should come as no surprise that the building is being led by a regional standout. Kristen Spain was named the 2026

March 5, 2026

Black History Month celebration features national speaker

Poplar Bluff Junior High marked the centennial of Black History Month commemorations while striking a balance between a talent-rich, educational program topped off by a high-energy keynote

February 20, 2026

Pictured during the Powerful Learning conference are (left to right) Dr. Karla Eslinger, education commissioner; April Sandlin, teacher; Dr. Rondi Vaughn, assistant superintendent of curriculum; Jennifer Morin, speech instructor; Mary Schrag state BOE pre

Eugene Field named Blue Ribbon School with asterisk

Poplar Bluff has had a third elementary school earn the highest honor achievable for an educational institution in America, a National Blue Ribbon, only this time the accolade comes with an

February 19, 2026

Before staff members break off into workshop sessions during PB Connect last month at PBHS, keynote speaker George Couros shares his story.

Educators apply best practices acquired during annual PB Connect

The Poplar Bluff School District hosted its 11th annual PB Connect, featuring 140 professional development breakout sessions led by 85 presenters for faculty and staff to choose from. The internal

February 6, 2026

Dr. Valerie Ivy (center) receives surprise recognition from Drs. John Boyd, Jr. and Jamie LaMonds on behalf of MoASSP prior to the keynote address during the 11th annual PB Connect on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at Poplar Bluff High School.

Dr. Ivy named first statewide Principal of the Year for PBHS

Poplar Bluff High School’s first female principal in history has become the district’s first-ever statewide secondary Principal of the Year. Dr. Valerie Ivy was named the 2026 Dr. Jim L. King High

January 23, 2026

Nick McDaniel, PBHS drama teacher, holds a published copy of his original play, “The Green Murders,” while standing next to the promotional poster displayed in the Kay Porter Theater.

Script published that debuted with PBHS students at Kay Porter Theater

Drama teacher Nick McDaniel has become a published playwright of an original production that debuted with Poplar Bluff High School students on stage at Kay Porter Theater. The Poplar Bluff native

January 15, 2026

Michelle Adams helps Blake Erwin sew a stocking while Jocelyn Burkhart waits her turn at the new sewing machine on Thursday, Dec. 18, at Eugene Field.

Foundation funds several thousand in grants across district

The Poplar Bluff School Foundation has approved $5,700 toward five grants covering a range of building projects, with the potential to double its investment depending on alternative funding sources

January 15, 2026

The Student Lighthouse team at Eugene Field poses with Principal Kristen Spain around the elementary school's Blessing Box in December.

Blessing Box quickly gains popularity at Eugene Field Elementary

Nickey Street has become a busy two-way thoroughfare for both giving and receiving with the new addition of the Blessing Box that is serving the campus community in front of Eugene Field

January 15, 2026

(Left to right) CRC Prevention Specialist Alexus Joplin announces Lucas Riggins as the winner, while finalists Preston Pinkerton, Dhanish Patel and Denton Rines display good sportsmanship.

Math Counts champion follows in sister’s footsteps

This year's Math Counts champion may have had an extra motivator: a friendly sibling rivalry. Lucas Riggins was the first to slam his computer shut, followed closely by fellow Middle School

December 11, 2025

TCC culinary arts students Maria Maize and Miles Newcomb portion out the ready-to-heat take-home family dinners.

TCC students feed campus community through grant initiative

Culinary arts students of the Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center recently prepared 450 meals for the student body through the Kids Feeding Kids program. This marks the second year that the TCC

December 11, 2025

Poplar Bluff Junior High students gather to walk to River Radio in honor of Civil Rights leader Ruby Bridges.

PBJHS participates in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

A lesson was taught at Poplar Bluff Junior High School last week about how young people too can make a lasting impact on the world. Local students joined hundreds of thousands across the nation who

November 20, 2025

Tony Seabaugh, McDonald’s area supervisor, presents Eugene Field teacher Alexa Everett with a certificate for being named a 2025 Outstanding Educator.

McDonald’s awards second consecutive Outstanding Educator from Eugene Field

Eugene Field Elementary had a teacher recognized last week as a McDonald’s Outstanding Educator for the second year in a row. Special education instructor Alexa Everett was selected out of over 480

November 6, 2025

The Hon. Judge Patricia Breckenridge puts on her judicial robe as she shares with students the most common alibi heard in court: “I was home with my mother.”

Former Missouri Supreme Court justice discusses role with PBHS students

When the Honorable Judge Patricia Breckenridge puts on her black robe, she is no longer “Patty from Nevada, Mo.,” she says, her duty is to uphold the rule of law. Breckenridge, former chief justice

November 6, 2025

Jenna Blackmon is pictured while receiving training over the summer of 2024 to be onboarded as a first-year teacher at the Poplar Bluff Middle School.

‘Lunch lady’ returns to school to become teacher at Poplar Bluff

A cafeteria worker of several years in the Poplar Bluff school system enjoyed serving students so much that she returned to college after 13 years to finish her teaching degree, becoming a

October 23, 2025

O'Neal instructor Trish Carpenter displays the Prodigy leaderboard that she updates daily in her classroom, while students have computer time on Monday, Oct. 20.

O’Neal competes for top placement statewide in Prodigy Math

The computer lab instructor at O'Neal Elementary has been utilizing an online game to reinforce math concepts, rewarding top-performing students with such consistency that the spirit of competition

October 23, 2025

(Clockwise, top left) Justin Alford, Rena Brown, Slug Hefner and Stephanie Faith of the Poplar Bluff Hall of Fame Class of 2025 all attended PBHS.

Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inducted

A group of record-setting individuals were honored Thursday, Oct. 2, during the 37th induction banquet of the Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame as Justin Alford, Rena Brown, Stephanie Faith and Slug

October 13, 2025

Robotics Coach Chris Wheat displays a matching donation from alum Bill Burton and his company Boeing on Friday, Sept. 5, with Iron Mules members Gage Sikes (left) and Cody Grobe.

PBHS alum sponsors Robotics Club for third consecutive year

An alumnus has donated a total of $6,500 to the Poplar Bluff High School Robotics Club over the past three years, having more than doubled his portion of the contribution with matching funds through

October 10, 2025

(From left) Missy Cox and Candace Hovis pick up an Agriculture in the Classroom grant award on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Butler County Farm Bureau insurance office.

FACS teachers awarded $500 for farm-to-table project

A $500 Agriculture in the Classroom grant has been awarded to a pair of Poplar Bluff High School teachers partnering on a food sustainability and waste management project involving Family and

October 10, 2025

(From left) R-I Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Dr. Rondi Vaughn, Kindergarten Center Principal Christy Young and Patty Robertson, now retired from the school system, stand with Chief Operating Officer Craig Yantis in front of a donation from Pitsc

Pitsco Education donates over $30K in supplies toward tornado relief

A hometown connection recently led to a donation of classroom materials in excess of $30,000 made by a curriculum company to aid in tornado recovery efforts at the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten

September 25, 2025

During a long-range planning meeting in March before the tornado caused a reset, Brandon Dake of Dake Wells Architecture leads a grade-configuration exercise with one of multiple teams that included (clockwise) Patty Robertson, Sara Woodard, Lanny Corcimi

Poplar Bluff Schools considers consolidating grade spans

District officials are exploring the most efficient way to reduce the number of grade-level transitions for students within the Poplar Bluff school system, following the solicitation of both

September 19, 2025

Missouri Retired Teachers Foundation Region 12 Vice President Mark Cook (at podium) presents Keith Burson one of 84 checks the organization awarded across the state during the back-to-school convocation Thursday, Aug. 14, at PBHS. Also pictured is John Mo

PBHS math teacher successfully seeks out two classroom grants

A teacher new to the profession has successfully sought out funding in order to expedite equipping his classroom, not being afforded the time a career educator may have toward accumulating

September 12, 2025

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

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

August 28, 2025

Patty Robertson’s contract was extended over the summer to help onboard her successor, Dr. Rondi Vaughn (pictured), as the district’s next assistant superintendent of curriculum.

Dr. Vaughn chosen to succeed long-time assistant superintendent of curriculum

Dr. Rondi Vaughn is a lifelong learner who has been honored by her peers as an educator and administrator both locally and at the regional level. Having advanced through the rank and file at Poplar

August 18, 2025

Eugene Field Principal Kristen Spain is shown visiting with first grade student Kaylynn Williams on the first day of the 2024/25 school year.

Eugene Field Elementary named 2025 Missouri Gold Star School

For the third time in recent history a lower elementary campus within the Poplar Bluff School District has been named a Missouri Gold Star School. Eugene Field is one of only eight schools in the

August 18, 2025

Joe Brown has been hired to succeed Kent Keith as athletic director for Poplar Bluff Schools.

Brown brings lifetime of experience in athletics to Poplar Bluff

Brown brings lifetime of experience in athletics to Poplar Bluff The next athletic director for the Poplar Bluff Mules is a lifelong educator, having amassed 28 years of coaching experience in

August 18, 2025

Megan Miller spent the month of June visiting Lake Road and meeting staff members before officially starting her principalship the following month.

Miller returns to her hometown to lead Lake Road Elementary

Megan Miller went out and gained over a decade of principal experience only to return to her hometown of Poplar Bluff to apply it as the leader of one of the district’s Blue Ribbon schools.

August 18, 2025

After being a part of the PBHS administrative team for several years, Stephanie Hillis has advanced to leading the Middle School.

Second-generation Poplar Bluff principal promoted to lead Middle School

The Poplar Bluff Middle School will welcome its first Poplar Bluff native in 15 years to serve as principal for the upcoming school year. Stephanie Hillis of the High School Class of 2007 was hired

August 18, 2025

Maddy Ringer was hired by the Board of Education in April to succeed Aaron Burton as the next principal of Mark Twain School.

Mark Twain restructured to meet evolving needs under new leader

The staff at Mark Twain School has been restructured to meet the evolving needs of students as the nontraditional school enters its sixth year under new leadership. Maddy Ringer brings to Poplar

August 18, 2025

Latest Headlines

2025-2026 Headlines

Throwback teacher to reintroduce dedicated sewing class at PBHS

PBHS JROTC academic team to vie in National Championship

TCC student produces first-place brand design for SkillsUSA Missouri

PBHS student wins D.C. trip with successful essay

District awarded $1.5M grant for FEMA safe room at Eugene Field

PBHS siblings named back-to-back National Merit finalists ​

Educators reflect one year after tornado devastated Kindergarten Center ​

Lake Road captures CRC title, top R-I spellers advance ​

Spain named 2026 Missouri Exemplary New Principal

Black History Month celebration features national speaker

Eugene Field named Blue Ribbon School with asterisk

Educators apply best practices acquired during annual PB Connect

Dr. Ivy named first statewide Principal of the Year for PBHS ​

Script published that debuted with PBHS students at Kay Porter Theater

Foundation funds several thousand in grants across district

Blessing Box quickly gains popularity at Eugene Field Elementary

Math Counts champion follows in sister’s footsteps

TCC students feed campus community through grant initiative

PBJHS participates in Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

McDonald’s awards second consecutive Outstanding Educator from Eugene Field

Former Missouri Supreme Court justice discusses role with PBHS students

‘Lunch lady’ returns to school to become teacher at Poplar Bluff

O’Neal competes for top placement statewide in Prodigy Math

Poplar Bluff Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 inducted

PBHS alum sponsors Robotics Club for third consecutive year

FACS teachers awarded $500 for farm-to-table project

Pitsco Education donates over $30K in supplies toward tornado relief

Poplar Bluff Schools considers consolidating grade spans

PBHS math teacher successfully seeks out two classroom grants

Education leaders recognized as part of Difference Makers event

Dr. Vaughn chosen to succeed long-time assistant superintendent of curriculum

Eugene Field Elementary named 2025 Missouri Gold Star School

Brown brings lifetime of experience in athletics to Poplar Bluff ​

Miller returns to her hometown to lead Lake Road Elementary

Second-generation Poplar Bluff principal promoted to lead Middle School ​

Mark Twain restructured to meet evolving needs under new leader

PBHS siblings named back-to-back National Merit finalists

Educators reflect one year after tornado devastated Kindergarten Center

Lake Road captures CRC title, top R-I spellers advance

Dr. Ivy named first statewide Principal of the Year for PBHS

Brown brings lifetime of experience in athletics to Poplar Bluff

Second-generation Poplar Bluff principal promoted to lead Middle School