The school board is composed of seven lay citizens elected for three-year terms. They are responsible for the fair and uniform application of all federal, state and local laws in the operation of the district schools. These schools operate for the educational benefit of all school-age children in the district. The board is a policy-making body that determines the direction for the school district. It exercises leadership primarily through the formulation and adoption of policies.
Mr. John Scott, President, is serving his second term. He is a lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff and graduated from PBHS in 1990. Scott furthered his education at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a law degree. He has maintained a law practice in Poplar Bluff since 1997 and is now a partner in Scott Law Group, LLC. Scott and his wife, Kendra, have two children: Jack and Kate. In his spare time, Scott enjoys outdoor activities including distance running, floating various rivers in the area and coaching youth sports.
Mr. Ken Davis, Vice President, is serving his first term. He was born in Xenia, Ohio, and graduated from Westside High School in Memphis. Davis moved to Poplar Bluff in 1974 and attended Three Rivers College. He worked for Dow Automotive for 13 years and has been employed by Con-way Freight since 2002. A former member of the board for the Manufacturers Assistance Group, Davis has also coached and officiated for the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Department. He is a member of the West Side Church of God. Since 1978, Davis can be seen working the chain gang at the Mules football games. He and his wife, Patricia, who is retired, have four children and eight grandchildren.
Dr. Cynthia Brown is serving her fifth term. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Dr. Brown graduated from Fordham University, Columbia University School of Public Health and Mount Sinai School of Medicine, all in New York. Brown has completed residencies in obstetrics-gynecology and preventive medicine. She has resided in Poplar Bluff since 1991. Brown is a Fellow of the American College of Preventive Medicine, a member of the Missouri State Medical Association and a member of the Wheatley Historic Preservation Association. Brown lives with her son, Rex, who graduated from PBHS in 2015.
Ms. Alana Robertson, a lifelong citizen of Poplar Bluff and 1973 graduate of PBHS, is serving her third term. She earned a bachelor’s in education from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and a Master of Education from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. Robertson taught first grade at O’Neal Elementary for 31 years and retired in 2010. Robertson currently serves on the Poplar Bluff Public School Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, Women’s Citizenship Club, Butler County Retired Teachers Association, Bright Futures Poplar Bluff Advisory Board and High School site council.
Ms. Heather Tuggle is an alumni and former athlete of Poplar Bluff Schools. She is a lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff. Tuggle continued her education, after graduating from PBHS, at Three Rivers College and graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design and illustration. She is the manager of the Black River Coliseum Aquatic and Fitness Center and the aquatics supervisor for the Parks and Recreation Department. Tuggle married her high school sweetheart of 20 years. They have two daughters and a new little boy. She is very active in her daughters’ schools, as a room mother and member of the PTO. She also coaches youth sports.
Mr. Roger Hanner is a lifetime resident of Poplar Bluff and graduated from PBHS in 1989. He and his wife, Julie, have four children, one son-in-law and a grandson. Two of Hanner’s daughters, Shelby and Madison, are also graduates from PBHS. His son, Dawson, and his daughter, Savannah, still attend Poplar Bluff Schools. Hanner has been a member of the Palace of Praise Church for the past 16 years where he is active in the children’s ministry. He has been coaching youth sports in the community for over 20 years. Hanner is the inventor of a safety product called the Stabilizer System. He has been working for Corporate America for the past decade and is currently employed as a commercial sales representative for a global company.
Mr. Jerrod Murphy, a
lifelong resident of Poplar Bluff, is serving his first term. He and his wife
Beth have four children: Lauren and husband Austin Williams of Poplar Bluff;
Wyatt and Megan, students at PBHS; and Eva Grace, a future Mule. Murphy and his
family are members of Westside Church of God. With 20 years of executive
experience, Murphy currently serves as president and chief operating officer of
Gamma HealthCare. He is also the vice president of the Academic Assistance
Group. He enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.
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Cutline: (Standing, from left) John
Scott, Ken Davis, Jerrod Murphy and Roger Hanner; (seated, left to right) Alana
Robertson, Heather Tuggle and Dr. Cynthia Brown.