The Prairie Home R-5 Board of Education entered into sports co-op with the Cooper County School District in Bunceton for the 2026 spring baseball and softball season.

The board approved this arrangement during its meeting on February 18th. Superintendent Jordan Hoecker says the co-op gives students from a smaller school like Bunceton an opportunity to play this spring.

 

The districts have previously partnered up with sports co-ops on an as-needed basis, but this is the only co-op approved for the 2025-2026 school year.

The board also approved its health insurance renewal with the Ozark Schools Benefits Association (OSBA).

 

In other news from Wednesday’s meeting, the board approved a three percent increase to the salary schedules for certified and classified staff for 2026-2027. The district calendar for the next school year was also approved, with classes beginning on August 24th and releasing on May 13th. Hoecker says the calendar includes 162 student built in for the next school year.