BOWLING GREEN R-I APPROVES LATER START FOR 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR

BOWLING GREEN, MISSOURI — Students in the Bowling Green R-I School District will begin classes later and finish about a week later during the 2026-27 school year after the Board of Education approved the new calendar at its February 17 meeting.

The first day of school will be August 24, with the last scheduled day set for May 21.

The current school year began August 18 and is scheduled to conclude May 15. Superintendent Nick Larson said the later start is required under Missouri law, which prohibits districts from starting school earlier than 14 calendar days before the first Monday in September.

In previous years, districts could request a waiver from the Missouri State Board of Education to begin earlier. This year, however, the state board has denied more than 130 waiver requests and has indicated it will deny all future such requests.

In other action, the Board approved two new high school courses beginning next school year. Industrial Math will replace Consumer Math and is designed for students attending vocational school or entering the trades or workforce. Ag Communications and Marketing will be offered for students planning to pursue agricultural occupations or related post-secondary training.

Board members also voted to hire EGL Association to guide development of a new strategic plan. The year-long process will gather input from stakeholders throughout the district and result in a five-year Continuous School Improvement Plan, or CSIP, which is required of all Missouri school districts.

Summer School will begin June 1 and run through June 30, with classes offered on all four district campuses.

Assistant Superintendent Stephen Hunter also presented an evaluation of district safety programs, noting improvements made to school buildings to enhance safety for students and staff.

The Bowling Green R-I School Board will meet again March 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the district office.

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