Schools report smooth class openings

Mt. Vernon
Good news greeted teachers and administrators at the Mt. Vernon school district as enrollment rebounded with the start of classes. 
“We had a very good start,” said Superintendent Christina West. “We have several new administrators. There was definite excitement in the hallways. Kids and teachers were both eager to get back.” 
West toured all the buildings and said she felt “great energy” among the people she witnessed. 
Bigger changes were evident at the high school campus, where the long-anticipated performing arts center has taken shape on the southwest corner, between the gym and the football stadium. West reported students were able to view the band room, which was ready except for final installations. The front entry, she noted, has some fixes to make as construction reaches the final stages. The auditorium of the performing arts center is now expected to be ready by mid-October. 
First day attendance totaled 1,502, an increase of approximately 50 students, with adjustments anticipated as transfer students’ requests arrive. That was particularly good news after seeing numbers fall by 40 last year, a trend that would have reduced funding from the state had the three-year average continued. 
 
Aurora
Aurora Superintendent Ben Yocum also had an upbeat assessment of the first days of classes. 
“Overall, the first four days of school have gone remarkably well,” Yocum reported. “We have implemented a specific Intervention period to the school day at the high school –– allowing students to receive additional assistance if and when needed, or enrich themselves in various areas. A school year is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s vital that the school must provide consistency while pushing students to ‘Reach New Heights.’”
This year Aurora administrators have expanded on the removal of cell phones among students.
“The personal communication device ban has been positively received,” Yocum noted. “The most challenging aspect of this stipulation is the impact of earbuds and Smartwatches, as many don’t consider this to be a part of the recently passed legislation. However, this is a vital part of the statute and we are fervently working to address/enforce accordingly.” 
Numbers on opening day totaled 1,882, an overall growth of 92 students. That reflects increases on every campus. 
 
Monett
“We had a great first day of school across the district,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark Drake, where the school population comes from both Barry and Lawrence counties. 
The big change this year stemmed from a new travel route into the Monett Elementary campus, bypassing the neighborhood to the north, which has been besieged by daily parental traffic since the campus opened. The new route sends vehicles around the campus from the south. 
 “As expected,” Drake said of the change, “we experienced some first-day traffic during morning drop-off as families became familiar with the new route, but once everyone was directed to the right locations, the car line began moving faster. By the afternoon, pick-up went very well, and we were pleased with how smoothly families were able to navigate the new process. 
“We were also very pleased with how transportation went at the end of the day. Our buses returned earlier than they typically have on the first day of school, which was a great way to finish a successful first day.
“More than anything, it was good to see our hallways filled with students and staff again. We’re glad to see the year off to a strong start and are ready to keep that momentum going. We are grateful to our families for trusting us with their children each day, and we appreciate the patience and support they showed as we worked through those first-day routines.”
The student tally of 2,307 represented an increase of 13 students, rising at every campus except the middle school. The seventh grade class of 145 is the smallest group above kindergarten. 
Drake added, “I also want to thank our teachers, staff, administrators, transportation team, and everyone behind the scenes who worked hard to make the first day a success. We are excited about the year ahead and grateful to have our students back with us.” 
 
Miller
Miller has a new superintendent, Ben Abramovitz. Despite an initial dip in numbers compared to the start of school last year, Abramovitz was encouraged to see enrollment up by four from the end of school in May. 
“The 2026-27 school year has begun with the elementary building holding steady from last year while the high school has had an initial slight decline to start the school year,” Abramovitz stated. “We have added some new faces in each building with our new hires and have been blessed with the opportunity to hire outstanding employees that come to us with knowledge and experience that complements and enhances our outstanding staff. We look forward to another year of serving our Miller students and community.”
First day numbers in Miller ran accordingly, with 281 in the elementary school, a total unchanged from the start of 2025, and 268 at the high school, a drop of six from last year’s first day.
 
Pierce City
Positive reports also came from Pierce City, where classes resumed. Superintendent Matt Street reported, “We were excited to see strong attendance across all grade levels, with 357 students at the elementary, 176 students in the middle school, and 220 students at the high school, for a district-wide total of 753 students.
“The first day went exceptionally well. Our staff and students were full of energy, and it was great to see classrooms already engaged in learning. We’re excited for another successful year and thankful for the support of our families and community.”
Pierce City started the 2024-25 school year with 748, making this year’s beginning up five students, and up 27 from two years ago. 
 
Marionville
Glowing reports on the opening of school also came from Shane Moseman, superintendent at the Marionville school district. “It has been good to see students again after the long summer break!” Moseman stated. “The school year has started smoothly. We are continuing to see increased enrollment and are excited to serve all the Marionville students. The school completed updates to the facilities from the last bond approval and we thank the community for their support.”
Total student count of 804 reflected an increase of 18 students, concentrated in the intermediate and middle school grades. 
Verona
Superintendent Melody Whitehead reported a variety of changes greeted students and teachers as they arrived for the start of classes. 
“We have had a very smooth start to the school year. Before students arrived, we finished our remodeling of the middle school rooms, along with a new elementary roof and all new HVAC units, using the bond money the community voted in favor of. We are looking at doing a tour for the community for anyone who is interested in seeing the remodel once the teachers and students have settled into their school year. The middle school teachers have already commented on the noticeable difference in their room temperatures since the new windows and units were installed. 
“We also were able to pave the parking lot across from the elementary school showing arrows for the parent pick-up traffic patterns. No new administrators, however. Caleb Wheeler, high school principal, is exploring individualized educational routes for all his students instead of a one-size-fits-all. Our staff has been very energetic and enthusiastic about the new school year.”
Verona recorded 285 students. That’s an increase of six from the start of last school year.