Arts/Education
Questions, accusations and calls for resignations cast a pall on the beginning of the new 2025-26 school year. With $3.96 million bleeding from the local school district's cash reserves over the last two years, the taxpayers of the Willow Springs R-IV School District are demanding answers.
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Walking through the hallways of Willow Springs Schools this Friday felt a little different. The usual sea of maroon and white was replaced by a vibrant, rhythmic wave of red. With staff and students united in red shirts, the district transformed into a living, breathing reminder of a vital cause...
Both West Plains Elementary School and West Plains Middle School will have new leadership next year. At the elementary school, Sarah Land is moving into the principal role from her position as assistant principal, following a vote of the school board on January 29. At the middle school, Amy...
Lifelong Willow Springs Bear Marty Spence will continue his career in education at Fordland R-III schools, beginning July 1. He has been hired as the district’s superintendent. The district announced the hire last week.
Spence has been superintendent at Willow Springs R-IV school district...
The MSU-West Plains math department, along with the Math Educators of South-Central Missouri (MESCM), conducted its annual Middle School Math Relays on Saturday, Jan. 10. Over 140 students from nine area schools competed in this event. Points were awarded for first through fifth places in a...
Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) are seeking nominations for an honorary associate's degree.
The degree will be awarded at the 2026 commencement ceremony at 2:00 p.m. May 9.
It is designed to recognize and honor exceptional men and women who have given a...
The West Plains R-VII School District is excited to announce that Sarah Land will assume the role of Principal for the 2026–2027 school year.
Land currently serves as Assistant Principal and has dedicated more than 20 years to education at West Plains Elementary School. Throughout her...
Winners of Howell County News’ third annual writing contest received their prizes last week. The contest was open to all middle-school age children in Howell County. For the first time, the winners were determined by a panel of judges. Serving as judges this year were Zora Mulligan, Chancellor at...
More changes are coming to the 2026-2027 school year in Willow Springs. In addition to the shift away from the block schedule, a new school calendar makes a four-day school week the norm next year. The school board unanimously approved a hybrid calendar that was overwhelmingly the preference of...
The characteristic for December is "Encouraging". The following students were rewarded with a medal and certificate for being encouraging to others in the classroom.