Poplar Bluff educators reflect one year after tornado damaged Kindergarten Center
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., (KBSI) — Educators in Poplar Bluff are reflecting on recovery efforts one year after an EF-3 tornado caused extensive damage to the district’s Kindergarten Center.
The storm, with winds reaching 145 mph, caused an estimated $6.7 million in damage to the building, destroying parts of the roof and mechanical systems and impacting multiple schools across the district.
Despite the damage, classes were disrupted for only two weeks before students were relocated to temporary sites. Kindergarten classes moved to Mark Twain School, while other programs were held at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center with support from Three Rivers College.
District officials said approximately 770 students and hundreds of staff members were affected by the storm.
Cleanup and recovery efforts moved quickly. By the end of March, water damage had been mitigated, and a temporary roof was installed. Construction crews worked extended schedules to complete repairs, allowing students to return to the Kindergarten Center ahead of the new school year.
Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman announced in July that the building would reopen, and teachers returned to classrooms in early August. Students resumed classes at the facility at the start of the school year.
Assistant Superintendent Charles Kinsey said the district and community came together in an unprecedented way to complete the project in just over four months.
Principal Christy Young, who was inside the building during the tornado, said the experience strengthened both her leadership and the school community.
“As a staff, we became closer,” Young said. “It grew me as a leader and brought out qualities I didn’t know I had.”
Officials said the recovery effort was supported by businesses, organizations and neighboring districts, helping restore the school and allow operations to return to normal.
District leaders have since shared their recovery efforts with education organizations across the state as an example of disaster response and rebuilding.
