The original rock building was built in 1932, and housed the high school. Elementary students attended school in the building now used for music education classes. We do not know the age of this building, but we do know that it was rolled on logs, to its present location, from the top of the hill behind it. Later on, in 1958, a high school and gymnasium was built on to the existing building. The barrel roof was unique and was one of the only gymnasiums of this type. About 1966 the building which houses art, math, and agriculture classrooms was built. Later, in 1993, a new agriculture shop was added, along with a new Title 1 classroom, kindergarten classroom, and library. Also, during this time, an old building which once housed an adjacent restaurant and filling station was remodeled into a preschool classroom and superintendent's office.
In August of 1996, the Board of Education, with guidance from the School Improvement Committee, put a bond issue before the voters to construct a new cafeteria and remodel the existing gymnasium and locker rooms. This issue was defeated by only seventeen votes. The Board of Education again placed this issue on the ballot in April of 1997, and it was passed. Shortly after passage, the district began remodeling efforts with a new roof and remodeling the existing gymnasium. In December of 1997, the district began construction on a new cafeteria.
On January 21, 1998 at 1:00 a.m. a citizen driving by the school reported that the main school building was on fire. After the efforts of 11 fire departments for over five hours the fire was finally put out. The building, which housed grades 1 through 12, the old cafeteria and gymnasium, was completely destroyed by the fire. In addition to the building, all contents were lost, including most of the student records.
On Monday, February 2, 1998,
the district resumed classes in mobile units. In
May of 1998, we opened our new cafeteria after serving lunch to our 300
students for 3 months in the Agriculture shop. In December of 1998, we
opened our new gymnasium for student use and hosted our first home game
in over a year on January 22, 1999. Classes began in the new school, which was
scheduled for completion in November of 1999, on December 13, 1999. This
was nearly two years after the destruction of the original school in January
1998. Please go to related web pages for pictures of the new school.
THE DISTRICT
The Dora R-III School District is located in south central Missouri, approximately 22 miles west of West Plains, Missouri. The district covers approximately 179 square miles in Ozark and Douglas counties. Approximately 66% of the assessed valuation and population of the district is located Ozark County. The remaining 34% lies in Douglas County. Of voters who are registered in the school district, approximately 75% reside in Ozark County and 25% are in Douglas County. A large portion of the district includes the Mark Twain National Forest and has a great effect on the assessed valuation of the district.
The district buildings are located in the community of Dora, in Ozark County. Being a rural community, with no incorporated cities in the district, the school is not only an educational institution, but also a center of community activity. The district library is a resource for the community and patrons are encouraged to check out various materials. Access to the district can be obtained from the north and south by Highway 181 and from the east on CC Highway. The district maintains its own public water supply, which is monitored monthly by the Department of Natural Resources. Because of the rural nature of the district, it must rely on its own resources to provide basic services, which may be available to other districts located in cities.
The transportation system is district owned and operates seven regular bus routes, one handicapped route, and one vocational route. Because of the rural nature of the district, only four students are not assigned to a route. This places a great importance on the transportation system and its daily operation.
The district employs a total of thirty certified teachers, and two administrators. In addition, the district employs three secretaries, four aides, one nurse, one nurse clerk, two custodians, one maintenance man, one food service director, three cooks, and seven bus drivers.
ACCREDITATION
The district is fully accredited by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and completed the third cycle of MSIP in January of 2002. Dora High School is an A+ High School and received designation in January of 2003.