News – Monday, March 16th 2026

Congratulations to the players and coaches of the Bunker Eagles Boys Basketball team as Saturday they captured the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 1 State Championship for the first time in school history with a 61 to 54 win over Brunswick at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia at the MSHSAA Show-Me Showdown. Read the entire story under Sports!

The Salem R-80 Board of Education held their regular meeting Thursday at 5:30 in the administration building located at 1409 West Rolla Road. After the call to order, the board approved the agenda and consent agenda. The board recognize several Pre-Kindergarten students from William Lynch Elementary, who lead the meeting through the Pledge of Allegiance. Under communications, Superintendent Nathan Wills shared communication from Heather Whitlock and announced Lion King Jr. was in production at the Upper Elementary. He further shared a letter from District 120 Representative John Hewkin thanking the board for its service, in light of School Board Appreciation Week. The Upper Elementary roof is complete, reported Wills in his Superintendent’s Report, aside from holes revealed during the recent heavy rains that contractors will be returning to fix, along with another leak within the awning connecting the Upper Elementary and the FEMA building. Wills updated the board on the Safe Room Operations Plan for the FEMA building, which he will be discussing with the Dent County Emergency Management Director Derrick Marfitt in order to finalize procedures by next week. Mailers will be sent out to those within a half-mile radius of the building. Wills is working on the budget for 2026-27. He provided legislative updates, including a bill that may impact open enrollment, among other items that may impact school funding. An executive order was signed by Governor Mike Kehoe requiring school districts to have an A through F report card, which will not be tied to the APR score, Wills further updated. Parent surveys were conducted with results presented to the board, with several parents seeking better communication on academics and attendance from staff. Student surveys are currently being conducted and will close next Friday. Laura Hurt has accepted the Mosis/Core Data and Food Service Director position offered, which she will begin in June. During Administration Reports, High School Principal Jodi Heavin reported that staff are working on an automated service coming this Monday which would notify parents when students miss assignments. Under New Business, the board approved the MOU with Missouri S&T, which enables the placement of student teachers within the district, along with an authorization for the administration to approve and process payment of all district bills, due to moving the board meeting’s date. The board also approved summer school dates for May 18th through June 5th, the annual career ladder plan, and the annual Apptegy contract. Finally, the board approved the Show-Me Technology Service Contract, which provides more bandwidth to the district, and extending the special education director’s salary schedule to 205 days. The board held a discussion on vaping policies, agreeing that School Resource Officer Lawrence Rictor should be able to write a probable cause statement and refer to juvenile for a student’s second offense. The board then entered  executive session to discuss personnel and student issues, followed by adjournment after returning to open session. The next meeting of the Salem R-80 School Board of Education is scheduled for April 16th in the Administration Building and will be open to the public.

Explore the newly launched interactive city project map provided by the City of Salem found on salemmo.com, clicking “City,” and searching “Plans and Projects Page.” Through the interactive map, residents are able to see where infrastructure projects like water system upgrades and street improvements are happening across town.