Poplar Bluff Senior High School
The Poplar Bluff School District entered into a capital lease agreement to fund an overall remodel of the interior of the high school. 
The buildings were built in the 1960s and have never had a comprehensive remodeling effort. The district removed all asbestos, installed new drop ceilings and new lighting. This creates a well lit, modern environment for student learning.
Additionally, B building received new windows and air conditioning/heating units and the Peters Gymnasium was air conditioned. The older part of A building will receive new windows and air conditioning/ heating units in the summer of 2009.
In the past couple of summers the buildings had received new floor tiles in the Mule’s colors of maroon and white and new paint in classrooms and common areas.
“They (halls) look a lot better. It really makes it bright. The air conditioner in the gym is nice.” says Julie Wells, Junior. Senior, Victoria Herber, states, “Senior High looks a lot cleaner.”
Senior High teacher, Sally Yarbro, was quoted as saying “In my classroom it has made a world of difference. The lighting is great. It is just a better atmosphere for the students.”
Oak Grove Elementary
The Poplar Bluff District added an (70’ x 150’) addition at Oak Grove during the spring and summer of 2008. The new building houses 8 classrooms and a new computer lab. It also has restrooms and connects to the upper part of the existing elementary building.
This new addition is equipped with built-in cabinets for storage of teaching materials, along with cubbies and hangers for student jackets and lunch boxes. Each room has a teacher’s work station and brand new student desks and work tables for reading groups and instructional centers.
Students, parents and staff are all excited about the new look at Oak Grove.
"I like the Smartboard and I like the way the room is set up and the white color on the wall,” says Oak Grove 2nd grader, Blake Robertson, son of Amy and Berlin Robertson.
Mrs. Barker, parent of a 2nd grader at O.G., says “I think it is a wonderful thing. The rooms are big and all the technology is great. My child loves it. It is a step in the right direction for the future.”
“The room is wonderful and the Smartboard is the best tool. It is such a good learning environment. We have never been such a team (2nd grade teachers) as we are now!” says 2nd grade teacher, Michelle Bates.
O’Neal Elementary
The Poplar Bluff District added a new building at O’Neal Elementary School during the summer of 2008. The addition is the same size as the Oak Grove edition, 70’ x 150’ and houses nine new classrooms for second and third grade students.
The O’Neal addition includes new restrooms for students and teachers, and state-of-the-art storage in each classroom. The rooms are also filled with new furniture for students and teachers.
Karen Hogg, 2nd grade teacher at O’Neal, commented “I’m never leaving this building!”
Becky Lawrence, an O’Neal parent, stated, “I love it. The rooms are brighter and bigger. The technology is impressive and all of the teachers should have technology such as this.”
Third grader Sophia Harrison stated “I think it is great! Our classroom is really cool. The temperature is good. Our bathrooms are done in a good way, our stalls are cleaner. I think everyone who helped out did a fantastic job!”
