New year begins at state's only unaccredited school district

NIANGUA, Mo. -- Classes are back in session at Missouri's only unaccredited school district -- and despite the obstacles facing Niangua's schools, officials said they are confident that they can avoid a state takeover.

In the meantime, the Southwest Missouri district must deal with a depleted bank account, lower enrollment and high staff turnover -- while finding a way to bring up students' scores on the standardized Missouri Assessment Program tests.

Officials said 57 students transferred to accredited schools in Marshfield, Conway, Hartville and Lebanon, dropping Niangua's enrollment to about 270.

That's where the financial hit comes in.

Wiping out reserves

Under state law, Niangua must pay about $5,000 in tuition this year for each student who opted for an accredited district and pay for busing to a designated district.

"It's going to totally wipe out our reserve," said superintendent Don Peebles. "It's a shame that we had the high number of students electing to leave, because we've got a lot of neat things going on. Kids are going to learn."

Peebles said that because of the enrollment drop, he let a staff member go on Friday. He declined to say if the staffer was a teacher.

Earlier this month, voters rejected a proposed 35-cent tax levy hike to boost salaries and increase resources.

"We needed it," said eighth-grader Alexis McCall, 13. "If we want people to stay, we have to pay them more."

Still, many students and staff said they were hopeful about the future and happy to be back at school.

"I was kind of excited to see what would happen and what the changes would be -- who would be here," said eighth-grader Melissa Morse, 13, who had a handful of friends leave.

Not everyone was thrilled to start school in Niangua, though.

"If I was younger, I wouldn't have come back," said 16-year-old junior Amy Ledford. "I went here all my life, and if it does close, it will be after I graduate."

Lower grades were the hardest hit. Some classes dropped below a dozen students.

Revamping curriculum

Niangua's plan for salvaging the district hinges on revamping curriculum, helping struggling students, updating technology, boosting staff training and retaining quality teachers.

"Anything we can do to keep kids in school will give them the best chance of succeeding," said Kevin Johnson, a Niangua coach and teacher of at-risk students. "I'm real positive about this year and want the school to get back on track."

Johnson, who has two children in the Niangua district, let them decide if they wanted to transfer.

"You have to do what is right for your kids," he said. "They wanted to stay here."

Rachel Roberts, 15, moved to Niangua this year from Tennessee. Talk about the district's unaccredited status wasn't going to scare her off.

"I like the small-town atmosphere," said Roberts, a junior. "It's more one-on-one."