Students return to the Drexel R-IV hallways

Students and teachers in Drexel and surrounding
areas were back in their classrooms last week. For Drexel, Friday, August 21st denoted the first day of the 2009-2010 school year.
The start of the school year was uneventful in the Drexel R-IV school and most other systems in the region. “We had a nice, clean start on Friday,” says Dr. Judy Stivers, superintendent of schools. She explained that no big issues arose, at least none that the
administration didn’t already expect.
Tears, smiles, hugs and traffic jams were in style Friday morning as students arrived for the start of a year when their teachers and administrators are coping with financial restraints caused by budget cutbacks.
The local school system consolidated a bus route this year to save money during the recession. Although the district doesn’t note any significant budget cuts, they have managed to cut all excess expenditures in pretty much all areas. The food service area was hit with a position eliminated, as well as transportation.
At right, Kevin Gunnels of Gunnels Bus Service,
transported many students to the Drexel R-IV on the first day of school. He met many new and familiar faces during his route and sent each off with well-wishes and positive attitudes. Photo by Stacy Rice