Governor Mike Parson ordered all public and private schools to remain closed throughout the rest of this academic year due to the COVID-19 pandemic during his daily press briefing on Thursday, April 9.
Marshall Public Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Carol Maher says she understands, but it’s sad.

Dr. Maher says the first thing she thought about was the district’s graduating seniors.

Dr. Maher says the district also is saddened by the students not being able to take part in prom. She says “We’d like to find a way to hold prom. If at all possible, we’ll do it whenever we can. Those celebrations are very, very important; so we want to make sure we continue those traditions.”
A news release from Dr. Maher says- in part- “There are some districts turning on the athletic field lights this evening as a tribute to the graduating seniors. Our MHS administrators have decided not to do that during the stay-at-home order, since it may appear we are inviting groups of students or others to gather at our facilities. Instead, we will be turning on the athletic field lights the week of graduation and the previously scheduled last week of school. They will remain on through that week. Our “M” flags will be flown at half-staff until the end of school, communicating our disappointment for the way school ended. At the end of the scheduled school year, however, the flags will return to full-staff to communicate our resilience and strength, and our OWL PRIDE.”