Poplar Bluff students returning to school at new locations due to storm damage

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo., (KBSI) – Poplar Bluff R-I School District students are returning to school, Monday, March 31, after two weeks off following the EF-3 tornado that tore through the city on March 14.

O’Neal Elementary School and the Kindergarten Center were damaged in the disaster, the latter being too severe for students to return. School officials are working with structural engineers to plan the extensive repairs needed to re-open. They hope to re-open in August, but said it could take until December.

In the meantime, Kindergarten Center students are being moved to Mark Twain School.

The students who attended Mark Twain School are being relocated to Three Rivers College, according to Communications Director Tim Krakowiak.

Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman held a news conference inside the Kindergarten Center, Thursday, addressing the damage to the schools, the repairs that must be made, and the logistics involved in resuming school at modified locations for the rest of the school year.

He said 442 families were in the impact zone of the tornado, meaning approximately 770 students were in the direct line of impact.

“That’s a large number to try to navigate,” he said, “to get back into instruction.”

Details are being communicated to parents regularly. Parents told FOX23 they appreciate how well the school district has worked with them.

Despite the two week interruption in classes, parent Morgan McIntosh said she trusts things will work out.

“I’m confident in our school district that our kids will receive the education that they need to move forward to the next grade,” she said.

At Mark Twain School, teachers have been working fast – preparing for classes to resume on Monday. They’ve been decorating the hallways and classrooms, as well.

The Lansfords are one of the families that will be adjusting to the modified school locations. Their home was significantly damaged by the tornado – forcing them to move out until it can be repaired.

While facing these big changes in both their home and school lives – parent Craig Lansford said he’s confident in the choices being made by the school district.

“Parents will have to really come to work together,” he said, “and work with the transition for the children as well.”

His kindergartner daughter Brynlee has mixed feelings about going back to school — some excitement about the new school and some sadness about what’s been lost.

“I’m sad we have to move because I really love that school,” she said.

Brynlee said she’s not sure what to expect at her new school, but she hopes it’s great.