There is something special about the beginning of a new school year. 

After an unusually long 110-day summer break, we are excited to welcome our students back to Cassville R-IV Schools. Hopefully, the extended summer provided plenty of opportunities for our students, staff and families to rest, relax, travel and enjoy time with family and friends. 

A new school year always brings a unique mix of emotions. There are new school year jitters and a little anxiety about what lies ahead, but those feelings are accompanied by hope, excitement and optimism. Students will reconnect with friends, meet new teachers, settle into new routines and begin another year filled with opportunities to learn and grow. At the same time, fall sports and activities are getting underway, bringing an energy to our campuses that signals another school year is officially here.

While our students have been away, our staff has been working hard to prepare our schools for their return. We have also continued investing in facilities and opportunities that will benefit our students and community. One of the most exciting additions is the Wild C Research Farm, which will provide students with hands-on opportunities to learn about agriculture, research, science and the many career possibilities connected to our region’s agricultural industry. Other improvements include a new paved parking lot south of the Middle School and Primary School, new concrete projects at our soccer and softball facilities, and numerous other upgrades and improvements throughout our campuses. 

We are proud to continue taking care of the facilities our community has entrusted to us while looking for practical ways to make them safer, more functional and better for our students.

Most importantly, the beginning of school reminds us that our schools are about people. They are about the relationships between students and teachers, teammates and coaches, families and staff, and the people that make up the communities within our district boundaries. Those relationships are at the heart of what makes Cassville such a special place. 

Thank you to our parents, families, businesses, organizations and community members for your continued support of Cassville R-IV Schools. Your investment in our students and staff makes a tremendous difference, and we never take that support for granted.

We are also looking for additional bus drivers. If you are interested in joining our transportation team, or know someone who might be, please contact Jake Kloss at the Cassville R-IV Bus Garage at 417-847-2221. Our bus drivers play an important role in safely getting our students to and from school each day, and we would love to add a few more great people to our team. As the buses begin running their routes again and our classrooms and hallways fill with students, we look forward to the possibilities that come with a fresh start. 

There will certainly be challenges along the way, but we begin with hope, optimism and excitement for what the 2026-2027 school year can become.

Merlyn Johnson is the superintendent of the Cassville school district. He may be reached at [email protected].