Education News from Around the Region

BRANSON SCHOOLS

Branson classes begin August 26 - BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

The staff and faculty of the Branson School District welcome Branson Pirates back to school. The first day of School for the 2026 - 2027 school year is Wednesday, August 26.

Start times vary by school.

Branson High School begins at 7:30 a.m. and dismisses at 2:33 pm.

Branson Junior High begins the day at 7:40 a.m. and concludes at 2:42 pm.

Buchanan Intermediate School starts the day at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:31 p.m.

Buchanan Elementary students begin classes at 8:40 a.m. and the school day ends at 3:41 pm.

The Cedar Ridge campus kicks off classes at 8:45 a.m. and concludes the day at 3:46 p.m.

Friday dismissals are one hour earlier than Monday through Thursday.

We wish all Branson students a great day of class and a successful school year.

Coach Chase to be honored in Wall of Honor Ceremony - BY K.D. MICHAELS, Staff Writer

The Branson Pirates will pay tribute to a special coach during the second annual Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony.

Coach John Earl Chase, a revered, longtime coach and Branson Public Schools’ Superintendent, will be the second inductee in the Pirate Wall of Honor. Chase began his coaching career in Branson in 1939, when he served as assistant basketball coach and head football coach. It was Chase that introduced six-man football to Branson.

Chase left BHS in 1948 to coach at School of the Ozarks High School for two seasons, before returning to Branson as the head coach of basketball, baseball and track. Under Chase’s leadership, the Branson High School basketball team made it to the state playoffs a total of four times, winning the State Championship in 1954 and again in 1958.

Chase was Branson’s third superintendent, and left a tremendous legacy behind. He was known, not only for Branson’s excellent athletic department, but also for the school’s tremendous community involvement.

In 1998, Chase was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, posthumously, for his outstanding contribution to Missouri Sports.  

The first person inducted during last year’s inaugural Wall of Honor ceremony was Branson head football Coach Steve Hancock, who led the Branson Pirates for 28 seasons.  

The Pirates Wall of Honor is displayed inside the Pirates Stadium and celebrates coaches, teams and individuals who have made a lasting impact on Branson Schools and the community.

The induction ceremony will be held on Friday, August 28, just before kickoff of the first Branson Pirates Football game of the season, against Harrison. The ceremony will begin at approximately 6:40 p.m. The Pirates Stadium is located at Branson High School, 935 Buchanan Road. The public is invited to attend.

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HOLLISTER

New Beginnings Hollister for preschoolers - BY KIM STEELE

Waiting lists for quality preschools are often lengthy. Tiffany Salomon, Director of Ministries at New Beginnings Church recognized this and saw a need to be addressed in our area.

Tiffany: “Outreach is a part of our DNA at New Beginnings Church. We felt that opening a preschool was another meaningful way to serve families in our community. Creating a place where families could bring their children and know they are safe, loved, cared for and being taught Christian values is something very much needed.”

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New Beginnings Christian Academy Preschool offers a Christian Montessori-style learning environment for children 3 – 5 years of age, that incorporates play-based learning. Creating an environment where children can learn, explore and grow through hands-on experiences while also being introduced to Christian values is vital to children’s development. Not only will these things be offered but enrichment opportunities including music, Spanish and weekly chapel will be incorporated.

Enrollment is open but limited to twenty students. There is one director for the facility and there is one teacher per ten students, allowing to maintain a small class size and provide students with plenty of individual attention. 

Families interested in more information or to tour the New Beginnings Christian Academy Preschool are encouraged to call 417-617-9075 or visit www.mynewbeginningschurch.com/preschool located  151 Elm Street, Hollister.

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REEDS SPRING SCHOOLS

Reeds Spring welcomes new team members for the 2026-27 school year - BY JOELENE POWELL, Staff Writer 

Twenty-five new faces are joining the Wolf Pack as Reeds Spring Schools prepares to welcome students for the 2026-27 school year.

According to the district, new team members reported on Thursday, Aug. 13, that they spent their first day getting to know Reeds Spring Schools and preparing for the year ahead. They also received welcome items from local businesses.

Among those returning to Reeds Spring is Thomas O’Connor, who will serve as assistant principal at Reeds Spring Intermediate School. O’Connor previously taught fifth and sixth grades at Reeds Spring before serving as an instructional coach in Willard and an assistant principal in Springfield.

“I’m so excited to be headed back to Reeds. The community and the strength of the district are why I’m so excited to come back. Reeds Spring listens to all stakeholders and makes decisions with intentionality,” O’Connor said.

New team members bring a range of backgrounds and experience to schools across the district.

Primary School

Meleah Bustos joins first grade after four years with the Branson School District, while Kara Copley joins kindergarten after earning her degree from College of the Ozarks. Preschool teacher Misty Harp brings 20 years of experience from Cedar Ridge Primary in Branson, and Yuliana Morales-Schafer has served as a special education teacher with Branson Schools since 2010.

Renee Ramey joins as a Parents as Teachers educator with experience in Nixa, Clever and Springfield schools. Maddie Smith brings four years of kindergarten experience from Mallory Elementary in Buffalo, while Reeds Spring graduate Annie Sullivan joins early childhood special education for her 13th year as an educator.

Elementary School

Sawyer Smith joins fourth grade after four years teaching third grade at Mallory Elementary in Buffalo. Kristen Wells joins as a behavior intervention specialist after 11 years with the Ozark School District as an occupational therapy practitioner.

Intermediate School

Melissa Locke returns to the district in special education. Destiny Marcus joins the fifth grade with seven years of classroom experience in Sparta and Republic, while Christy Morris also joins the fifth-grade team. Darci Schmidt joins as instructional coach after six years with the Hollister School District.

Middle School

Alycia Johnston joins the math department after 23 years with Branson Schools. Robert (Robbie) Pitman will teach social studies and serve as the high school head wrestling coach, bringing nearly two decades of experience in education. Mikayla Williams joins the English language arts department.

Pitman said relationships with students, families and the community are central to his approach.

“I’m passionate about building strong relationships with students, families and the community, and I strive to create a positive environment where students feel supported, challenged and encouraged to grow both inside and outside the classroom,” Pitman said.

High School

Amber Beranek joins family and consumer science after 22 years as an art teacher in Texas. Hadlee Goldberg joins as personalized achievement coordinator with experience in Ozark and Aurora, while counselor Billie Green brings nine years of experience from Neosho and Marionville.

Tim Kirk joins English language arts with two decades of secondary and undergraduate teaching experience, while Rebecca Lowrance brings 10 years of special education experience in Arkansas. Santana McDannold joins science with experience in education and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Tara Ray brings 24 years of high school and college English experience, Olivia Sidwell joins English language arts from Missouri State University; and Lauren Stepp joins the business department with experience at several schools, including Cassville High School and Branson Junior High.

Reeds Spring School District’s Cody Hirschi said, “We are incredibly excited about the outstanding teachers joining Reeds Spring Schools. Welcoming two talented educators who are beginning their careers, along with accomplished veteran teachers from across the region, reflects Reeds Spring’s growing reputation as a premier district where exceptional educators want to work. Their experience, talent, and commitment will strengthen our team and move us closer to our mission of becoming world-class.” 

With new and returning team members in place, the Wolf Pack is ready to welcome students back to classrooms. The 2026-27 school year begins Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Table Rock Community Bank awards grant to Reeds Spring Schools - SUBMITTED TO BRANON GLOBE

Community support helps schools thrive. Students in the Reeds Spring School District will benefit from a grant awarded by Table Rock Community Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. The funding was made possible through the Member Impact Fund, a matching grant program. “At Table Rock Community Bank, our mission is grounded in serving our community,” said TRCB Community Impact Officer Shannon Dotson. “We are deeply grateful to play a small part in directing these resources to the folks doing the real work on the ground.”

Reeds Spring Schools was one of 20 organizations that Table Rock Community Bank supported. While the district has not yet determined the specific use for this funding, it will directly benefit students.

“The Reeds Spring School District is blessed in countless ways, and the support our community dedicates to the success of all our students is simply amazing,” said Cy Bortner, the district’s Community Sponsorship Coordinator. “We are truly grateful to Table Rock Community Bank for its heartfelt commitment to supporting our schools as we strive to provide a world-class education for every Reeds Spring student.”