Tornado leaves Poplar Bluff Kindergarten Center's future uncertain as assessments begin

A tornado that struck Poplar Bluff on Friday night has left the future of the Poplar Bluff Kindergarten and Early Childhood Center in question. Superintendent Aaron Cornman has confirmed that structural engineers are on their way to assess the damage and determine the viability of the building. The safety and stability of the structure remain uncertain, and the school district is actively exploring alternative locations to resume classes. The facility serves more than 500 students.

Assessing the Damage

The tornado's impact on the kindergarten and early childhood center has prompted immediate action from the Poplar Bluff School District. Superintendent Cornman stated that the district is in the process of evaluating the extent of the damage. "We're still in the process of working that out," Cornman said, emphasizing the need for a thorough assessment before making any decisions regarding the continuation of classes at the current location.

Commitment to Resuming Classes

Despite the uncertainty, Cornman is committed to resuming classes as soon as possible. He acknowledged the importance of returning to normalcy for both students and parents. "Parents need that return to normalcy," Cornman affirmed, highlighting the district's dedication to minimizing disruption to the educational experience of the young students.

As the community awaits the engineers' evaluation, the Poplar Bluff School District is actively working on contingency plans to ensure that education continues with minimal interruption.

This is an evolving story and will be updated as information becomes available.

Reporting by DAR staff writer Joe McGraw.