Junior High is getting a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) safe room via a grant, which will serve as a multipurpose room, allowing for the cafeteria to expand. Additional restrooms will be included. If the plan passes, several classrooms would be added above the safe room, allowing the school to discontinue holding class in the exterior buildings, which were built in 1937 [Below: Legislators observe the state of the shop building during a recent tour of PBJHS].

An intermediate school for grades 4-6 would be created at the present high school, with the construction of an additional 40,000 square feet out front to connect the stand-alone structures. The new square footage would be used for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) classrooms, a library/media center and centralized administrative offices. C-Building, which was erected in 1964, would be removed due to its condition and its consequent high cost to renovate. In its place an enclosed outdoor playground would be designed.

The middle school students would be able to utilize the Kay Porter Theater during the day. The theater would continue to be used by the high school for plays in the evenings. Another FEMA grant is in the pipeline to build a larger auditorium in a penciled-in area at the new high school, though it is pending approval by the government and contingent upon that federal funding to be completed.

Removing the fourth grade from the elementary school configuration would free up needed classroom space and relieve traffic congestion at O'Neal, Oak Grove, Lake Road and Eugene Field. Buildings would be connected at each of the sites to establish a single controlled access point, and increase the safety and security of students and staff. 

Poplar Bluff R-I has the highest number of students in Southeast Missouri and is among the largest school districts in the state, yet its operating levy is lower than 90 percent of Missouri schools, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. 

If the 80-cent per $100 assessed valuation measure is approved, our levy will increase to $3.73, placing us between Dexter and Jackson. The easiest way to determine what the cost would be on personal property is to obtain the value from your tax assessment, then divide the number by 100 and multiply by 0.8. It is important to note that assessed valuation is only 19 percent of the appraised or market value.

 

In January of 2011, a buildings committee of school officials and community leaders toured our facilities to identify our needs.

In May of 2012, Business Information Services-which was solicited by the business community-released the results of a demographics study, concluding that our enrollment will increase by several hundred students over the next decade (it's also increased by several hundred students over the past decade).

Demographer Preston Smith stated: "We are deeply concerned about the level of overcrowding in the district's buildings. We have never performed a demographics analysis in a district where there was such a clear need for additional classroom square footage."

In October of 2012, Patron Insight conducted the first of two surveys of our community, which concluded that the majority of patrons were interested in addressing our overcrowding issues.

One year ago the school board hired professional planners to link up with local architects and devise a facilities master plan.

A 16-person Long-Range Planning Committee of community leaders was assembled, including members from the original group, as well as a diverse 50-person Citizens' Advisory Council representing a microcosm of the community. They met several times over the summer to come up with a recommendation for the school board to approve.

In January, the school board voted unanimously to put the final buildings plan on the April ballot, after being encouraged by the audience to 'Vote Yes.'

Election Day

All citizens living within the Poplar Bluff R-I School District are eligible to vote, if you are registered. Click here for a list of all the polling places. Enter your address here to determine where to vote.