Students will be welcomed back to Gasconade County R-2 campuses during open house nights Aug. 18-20 before classes resume Aug. 24 for the 2026-27 school year.

All grades are encouraged to attend their building’s open house and meet teachers, pick up informational packets, drop off school supplies, complete online registration and free and reduced lunch applications.

Open house nights are arranged by building and include:

• Owensville Elementary School (OES) from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18

• Owensville Middle School (OMS) from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19

• Owensville High School (OHS) from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19

• Gerald Elementary School from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20

If online registration and free and reduced lunch applications are completed before school starts on Aug. 24, students will be entered into a drawing for a free smart TV (one per building). Eligibility for meal assistance is not a requirement to win the drawing.

Tax Free Weekend will be held Aug. 7-9 as families prepare to buy school supplies. Lists are available in stores and on the district’s Facebook page, Gasconade County R-2.

As the Gasconade County R-2 Board of Education began its July 20 meeting, they approved with a 6-0 vote one new hire, one retirement and four resignations for the school year, including: Shawn Ragain was hired as an OES building aid for the 2026-27 school year;

Pee Wee Howard will retire as lead custodian, effective on Dec. 31, 2026;

Resignations were Brianna Martin, paraprofessional at OES and Nikkole Foster, OES childcare aid, both effective July 15, 2026; Samantha Popejoy, evening custodian at OHS, effective July 31, 2026; and Bill Williams, evening custodian at OES, effective July 16, 2026.