As Russellville High School takes in seventh- and eighth-grade students this year, it is filling "every nook and cranny."
New leadership must help ease the transition.
The Cole R-1 School District hired a new superintendent and administration team for Russellville High School for the upcoming school year. Jeff Jennewein replaces Perry Gorrell as superintendent and Amy Scroggins replaces David Volkart as principal. Brian Knight will be serving as assistant principal, a new position at the school.
Before accepting the position as superintendent in Russellville, Jennewein served as an assistant principal at Capital City High School in Jefferson City. According to a news release, he also served as an assistant principal at the Simonsen Ninth Grade Center, also in Jefferson City. He has also worked in teaching and coaching roles at DeSoto, West Plains and Vienna schools.
A Sedalia native, Jennewein said his parents' passion for teaching passed on to him.
"Both of my parents were teachers, which is the reason why I got into education," he wrote in an email to the California Democrat. "I witnessed the enjoyment of their profession and (the) influence they made on others and (I) wanted to make the same impact in my profession."
Jennewein said his goals are to build relationships with students, staff and the community; listen and learn from others; and find ways to help others. He said additional goals for the district will be derived from the upcoming Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, or a plan for accomplishing district goals, which is developed from input by staff, parents and community members. It will be unveiled Aug. 18.
As his family acclimated to Russellville, Jennewein said the community has responded with a warm welcome.
"My first impressions were the people and how nice everyone was, not only to me but my family," he wrote. "My wife, Brooke, was invited to social events and my two boys, Tate ... and Trae ... were instantly included with other students, teachers and coaches."
Jennewein's biggest concern for the upcoming school year is changes in administration at the high school. It not only received a new administration team, but will also be growing. Seventh- and eighth-grade students will join the ninth- through 12th-grade classes at the high school building, turning it into a combined junior high and high school building.
"It will be important for us to work hard, listen and learn from others," Jennewein wrote.
Scroggins has been tapped to lead the school into the future. She has 18 years of education experience and formerly worked as an assistant to the director at the Eldon Career Center after teaching in other districts. She is originally from Aurora, received her bachelor's degree in secondary education from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, attended the University of Missouri-Columbia for her master's in educational technology and received a specialist degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Scroggins' husband is principal at California Middle School. The couple's children attend school in the California district.
Scroggins said she is fond of Russellville.
"This community just has some really amazing people and the school has this unique feel to it," Scroggins said. "When you walk the halls and you see our students, I think there's something special here with our kids and our staff. I've been so impressed with our staff that I've had the opportunity to meet with. They are just amazing individuals who are good at their craft but love kids and they love this community, and that is really something I desire to be a part of."
Scroggins said bringing in seventh- and eighth-graders to join the ninth- through 12th-graders effectively turned the high school into a combined junior high and high school building. The move was made by the district to help alleviate space issues.
"We are filled," Scroggins said. "We don't have any open areas. We are utilizing every nook and cranny in the building. ... And they are at the elementary (school), as well. We are full as a district."
Scroggins said her goal for her new role is to celebrate successes and support teachers.
Helping Scroggins is Brian Knight, an assistant principal who brings about a decade of educational experience. He formerly worked in Jefferson City Public Schools teaching technology and English. Before his time in Jefferson City, the Kansas City native taught math in Denver.
Knight said his three goals for his role are to embrace traditions, help junior high students feel welcomed in the building and also support teachers.
"One of the things that drew me to the community was the traditions the community has, and I would love to help our school continue those traditions because a lot of those traditions tie into specifically the school," Knight said. "One of the things we're celebrating this year is the success of the baseball team. It is things like that (which) really help build the community."
"This is a brilliant community," he added. "We have the resources we need to have a very successful school and that's been proven throughout the previous years. One thing I really hope for this year is that we can embrace the changes and look at how positive they can be for our students, staff and community."
Cole R-1 schools will host an open house Aug. 22. The upcoming school year begins Aug. 24.
Amy Scroggins, the new principal at Russellville High School, works at her desk Wednesday (Aug. 3, 2022,) in the office at Russellville High School. While this is Scroggins' first year with the Cole R-1 School District, it is not her first time in education or building administration. Before Russellville, Scroggins worked for the Eldon School District. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller)
Amy Scroggins, principal at Russellville (Cole R-1) High School. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller; taken Aug. 3, 2022)
Jeff Jennewein, superintendent for the Cole R-1 School District, poses for a photo. (Submitted) 
Russellville High School is seen July 18, 2022, in Russellville, Missouri. (Democrat photo/Garrett Fuller — FILE)