Josh Smith Begins Duties as NH Superintendent

Josh Smith began his duties as North Harrison Superintendent this month. He presented district monthly financial and budget updates, announced awarding of the Missouri Quality Pre-Kindergarten grant, and provided information on state-level updates currently impacting education.

The school is doing summer maintenance, including a parking lot/drainage project, roof repairs, HVAC maintenance, and other projects.

The board approved part-time monthly rates for the Early Childhood Center Daycare.

The next board meeting will be August 19th at 5:30 pm. This will include the Tax Rate Hearing.

 

North Harrison Early Childhood Center Facing Deficits

The North Harrison School Board, at its regular board meeting May 20th, 2026, learned that the Early Childhood Center was continuing to increasingly operate at a deficit. The board took no action at the meeting.

The board discussed the 2026-27 budget and how funding from the state will impact the budget. For the current school year, schools are being underfunded by an estimated $138 million in the formula. Compounding this underfunding, the 2026 session saw recommendations from the Governor, House, and Senate that proposed to underfund $190 million in the Foundation Formula and an additional $15 million shortfall in transportation funding. This is before discussions of decreases in lottery and gaming revenues. As it stands, the cumulative underfunding across FY 26 and FY 27 is now estimated at $362.7 million for Missouri schools.

The board approved the 2026-27 Salary Schedule. The board will maintain the same salary schedule as the previous year. The board increased the district health insurance to $650 per month per employee, up from $550 per month. The board approved a $200 increase to the Extra Duty Schedule. The board approved renewing the speech contract with Compass Therapy Solutions.

 

North Harrison Second Semester Honor Rolls

HIGH SCHOOL

High Honor Roll — Lani Briggs, Addison Davis, Lane Graham, Jaxcynn Hansel, Lela Hartschen, Kyler Kimbrough, Alonna Milligan, Andi Nail, Tate Richardson, Stella Rinehart.

Honor Roll — Emma Chandler, Morgan Chandler, Andrew Craig, Jensen Davis, Seth Davis, Gage Fortner, Henry Frank, Dustin Hamilton, Ethan Henson, Raegan Hogan, Lance Jacobs, Wyatt Maize, Addison Milligan, Annabelle Owens, Kathryn Parkhurst, Ava Rinehart, Hali Smith, Rylee Valenti, Becca Welling, Gracie Young.

B Honor Roll — Quincy Akins, Kellan Craig, Ryker Fortner, Creighton Graham, Meric Hansel, Coulson Hartschen, Mason Hicks, Baylor Hoffman, Zayne Kerr, Kaydence Lambert, Cassoday Richardson, Kayson Sims.

JUNIOR HIGH

Honor Roll — Scotty Briggs, Danny Casbeer, Anniston Dale, Draylee Davis, McKenna Hill, Hattie Hogan, Ana Ingsson, Eli Jacobs, Taryn Johnson, Tayley Johnson, Amelia Long, Quincy Norris, Destinee Ochoa, Matt Richardson, Kade Smith.

B Honor Roll — Sadie Edington, Charlie Frank, Myer Gibson, Fred Graham, Conner Hicks, Caleb Ingsson, Cotton Osborn, Coy Osborn, Sierra Renner, Carley Richardson, Karsyn Smith, Dayton Stevens, Hadley Williams, Hayli Young.

Community Service, Life Skills Day Held at North Harrison

On Tuesday, May 12th, North Harrison sixth through 11th graders spent the morning giving back to their community by doing various service projects around town. Projects included picking up bags of trash, helping at the local cemetery, washing the fence at City Hall Park, and other projects.

That afternoon, people from the community came into the school to teach students above life skills. Helping were:

Hilary Castleberry—Harrison County Community Hospital—applying for jobs

Lisa Smith—healthy skin care

Vickie Eastin—Verimore Bank—importance of a savings account

Kaden Bremer—BTC Bank—how to apply for a loan from the bank

Rhonda Taylor—Little Clara’s Garden—how to make a flower arrangement and tie a bow

Victor Rivera—how to be an umpire

Bill and Jenn Hill—Border Buck Outfitters—how to measure deer antlers

Isaac Norsic—Grand Plains Insurance—important info about auto insurance

Tara Milligan—Static Envy—hair braiding

Kaylie Walker—Harrison County Health Department—CPR

 

North Harrison Scholarships for 2026

The following North Harrison students received scholarships for 2026:

Quincy Akins, Andi Nail, Stella Rinehart, Lela Hartschen, Ciera Hilburn, Kyler Kimbrough, and Annabelle Owens, $500 each from the North Harrison Alumni Association.

Stella Rinehart, $500 from the Sara Campbell Memorial.

Andi Nail, $500 from the Cameron Regional Medical Center.

Lela Hartschen, $1,000 from the Harrison County Cattlemen’s Association.

Lela Hartschen, $500 from the North Harrison Class of 1976.

Lela Hartschen and Kyler Kimbrough, $750 each from the Harrison County Farm Bureau.

Lela Hartschen, Kyler Kimbrough, Andrew Craig, Ethan Henson, Dustin Hamilton, and Stella Rinehart, $500 each from the North Harrison FFA Booster Club.

Kyler Kimbrough, $500 from the Grassroots Ag Literacy Organization.

Lela Hartschen, $2,000 from GRM Networks.

Andi Nail and Stella Rinehart, $500 each from Hallowed Grounds Outdoors.

Kyler Kimbrough and Lela Hartschen, $250 from the Northwest Missouri State Fair Foundation.

Andi Nail and Lela Hartschen, $1,000 each from the Royce Edgar Smith Memorial.

Kyler Kimbrough and Lela Hartschen, $1,000 each from the Howard and Leah Trullinger Memorial.

Andi Nail, $1,000 from the Kenneth and Rosemary Williford Foundation.

Stella Rinehart, $1,000 from the Martha Fouts Wollums Memorial. Ms. Wollums was a teacher at North Harrison from 1967-1976.

Kyler Kimbrough and Lela Hartschen, $500 each from the Wyant Family Ag Leadership Award.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josh Smith Closes Out 16 Years of Service to Worth County

On Friday, Principal Josh Smith closed out 16 years of service to Worth County. He started off as an Ag teacher and FFA sponsor. He helped coach football, coached the junior high girls basketball team, and track. He became the Athletic Director and rose to become Principal. He had a passion for curriculum development, always showing off the work that Worth County students were doing in school.

He graduated from North Harrison, where he joined the 1,000 point club. While coaching at Worth County, he was always chill along the sideline when coaching basketball, but always got worked up when playing his alma mater, always wanting to beat his old school.

While he taught and coached at Worth County, his children went to North Harrison. His daughter, Hali, wore a sweatshirt in junior high that said, “Torn between two hearts,” with a Worth County and a North Harrison logo on it. His son, Kade, idolized his dad and wore his Worth County football gear to school at North Harrison even though the Shamrocks were playing football with Pattonsburg at the time. And Hali would tag along with her dad to Worth County games every once in a while when she was done with practices.

The 2017 District Championship game between Worth County’s girls saw the family caught in the middle, with Josh working for Worth County and his wife, Kara, working for North Harrison. “We cheer for whoever signs our paychecks,” said Mr. Smith at the time. Josh sat on the Worth County side and Kara sat on the North Harrison side.

“Throughout his time here, Josh has worn many hats and impacted countless students along the way. He began his journey as an Ag teacher and FFA sponsor, helping students develop leadership skills, work ethic, and a passion for agriculture. Over the years, he also dedicated his time to coaching football, basketball, and track, investing in student-athletes both on and off the field. He later served as Athletic Director and ultimately finished his Tiger career as our principal.”

“No matter the role, Mr. Smith led with dedication, care, and a commitment to our students and school community. His influence and leadership have helped shape Worth County for the better, and his impact will be felt for years to come,” said the school’s Facebook page Friday.

 

Twelve Graduate from North Harrison

Twelve North Harrison students graduated from school Sunday at ceremonies. They were:

—Addison Davis, daughter of Colby Hosman and Taylor Davis;

—Andrew Craig, son of Bryan and Kara Craig and grandson of Ken and Marilyn (Lynch) Craig;

—Andi Nail, daughter of Brad and Angie (Mathes) Nail and granddaughter of Paul Mathes;

—Ciera Hilburn, daughter of John and Amanda Hilburn;

—Lela Hartschen, daughter of Tracy Hartschen;

—Ethan Henson, son of Joe and Leah Baker and C.J. and Sarah Henson;

—Kyler Kimbrough, son of Keith and Tabrey Kimbrough and grandson of Norman Kimbrough;

—Dustin Hamilton, son of Dave Hamilton and Kris Hamilton and grandson of Barb Butler;

—Kayson Sims, son of Amanda Owens and Tim Miller, grandson of James Owens and Peggy Nunn, and great-grandson of Karla Zerke, Bill Stanley, and Andy Owens;

—Quincy Akins, son of Alicia Newman;

—Stella Rinehart, daughter of Ashley and Heath Ledgerwood;

—Annabelle Owens, daughter of Andrea Kain, granddaughter of James and the late Cyndi Owens, and Peggy Nunn, and great-granddaughter of Karla Zerbe, Bill Stanley, and Andy Owens.

Lela Hartschen, Five Others Get GRM Networks Scholarships

GRM Networks places great importance on the opportunity for higher education for rural youth. Each year, the company offers six scholarships to area high school students in Missouri and Iowa through the GRM Networks Scholarship Program. A combined total of $8,000 in scholarships was awarded this year to the following recipients:

Lela Hartschen, Eagleville, Missouri, North Harrison R-3 High School - $2,000

Alivia Rhoades, Lucerne, Missouri, Putnam County R-1 High School - $1,500

Mylie Holtman, Ravenwood, Missouri, Jefferson C-123 High School - $1,500

Megan Young, Leon, Iowa, Central Decatur Community School - $1,000

Sari Rogers, Princeton, Missouri, North Mercer R-3 High School - $1,000

Kinsley Allnutt, Galt, Missouri, Grundy County R-5 High School - $1,000

GRM Networks founded the scholarship program in 2016 to support area high school students who wish to further their education. Eligible applicants must:

—Be a graduating high school senior with at least a “C” or a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 point scale;

—Have a parent or legal guardian who is an active member of GRM Networks in good standing at the application deadline;

—Be accepted as a full-time student by an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, trade school or other post-secondary institution.

Scholarship recipients will receive their award upon completion of their first college semester, which must be within the first year of their high school graduation. Recipients must also submit an unofficial transcript within 60 days of the end of their first semester showing proof of maintaining a 2.0 grade point average on a 4.0 point scale.

Lela Hartschen will graduate from North Harrison R-3 High School in May and plans to attend Iowa State University. She is the daughter of Tracy Hartschen.

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North Harrison Joins Princeton Football Cooperative

North Harrison will join the Princeton football cooperative effective immediately following a school board vote Wednesday. Previously, Winston had applied to join the Pattonsburg football cooperative in January. The matter was tabled until last month, when Pattonsburg ousted Gilman City from the cooperative in favor of Winston. North Harrison subsequently followed Gilman City out the door with Wednesday's vote. 

The Princeton school board had already extended an invitation to North Harrison at its meeting this month. The Grand River Conference West approved the moves. Princeton wasted no time in hitting the ground running with its new partner; all the coaches as well as a few players came to North Harrison to visit their new team members.

Reasons cited by people from North Harrison included lack of stability, less expense, lack of communication, better facilities at Princeton, a better field, and more opportunities for young people interested in playing football. Princeton already has a youth football program in place and North Harrison kids can play on the team. Several years ago, a small group of people held a series of community betterment meetings in Eagleville, and one of the main concerns was a lack of opportunities for elementary-level kids to play football. Princeton having a youth football program fills a big hole. Current North Harrison players were on board with the move.

Driving distance from Eagleville to Princeton will be similar to Pattonsburg. The only expense that North Harrison will incur will involve transporting players to practices and games. They do not have to supply coaches, although it was encouraged by Princeton.

Gena Gilpatrick and Linda Woods reported on a trip they and several other teachers took to the Lake of the Ozarks for professional development. They learned about ways to discipline students, creating a positive culture, ideas for keeping kids learning, and new ways of evaluating students. Recent research has focused a lot on the importance of play for kids. One recent study that came out found that kids spend 2 1/2 to 3 hours facing a screen. There were around 1,800 teachers at the conference.

Kara Smith reported on gaps in mental health care at North Harrison and what the school was doing to fill them. They have someone come from Harrison County Community Hospital who sees six kids once a week for just over three hours. They have someone else who comes from North Central Mental Health who comes to the school for 30 minutes a week and sees 2-3 students. They have a youth behavior liaison who the school can contact in a mental health emergency, but they are 1 1/2 hours away. 

Burrell Youth Services reached out offering to help; they serve the eastern half of the state and are looking to expand to Northwest Missouri. The school jumped at the offer, and they send a person once a week for half a day. They also offer professional development training. 80% of kids who receive a mental health intervention get it at school. 95% of such cases involve home issues. The gap that the school is looking to fill involves students who are not eligible for Medicaid. 

The school held a Literacy Night in which 63% of elementary students and their families participated.

40 elementary students went to the recent Willford STEM event in Bethany. 

Board member Eric Richardson said he had heard a lot of positive comments regarding the Pops & Pie Concert, including the choir performance. 

The board authorized bids for repairing drainage issues near the cafeteria as well as doing the north elementary doors and the sidewalk. The school is in the process of putting together capital improvement projects. Another need that was brought up was a door which has the potential to blow open during a tornado and another which is difficult to lock and is easy to open even when locked. 

The school voted to renew the health insurance policy with Missouri Educational Trust and add a second plan that involves a 100% school match. Rates will go up 4.6% next year. 

The next meeting date will be April 15th at 5:30 pm. 

North Harrison Honor Roll for Third Quarter 2026

HIGH SCHOOL

High A Honor Roll — Lani Briggs, Addison Davis, Lane Graham, Jaxcynn Hansel, Lela Hartschen, Alonna Milligan, Andi Nail, Tate Richardson.

A Honor Roll — Morgan Chandler, Andrew Craig, Jensen Davis, Seth Davis, Gage Fortner, Henry Frank, Dustin Hamilton, Ethan Henson, Raegan Hogan, Kyler Kimbrough, Wyatt Maize, Addison Milligan, Annabelle Owens, Ava Rinehart, Stella Rinehart, Kayson Sims, Hali Smith, Rylee Valenti, Becca Welling, Gracie Young.

B Honor Roll — Quincy Akins, Emma Chandler, Kellan Craig, Ryker Fortner, Meric Hansel, Coulson Hartschen, Mason Hicks, Lance Jacobs, Zayne Kerr, Kadence Lambert, Kathryn Parkhurst, Cassoday Richardson.

JUNIOR HIGH

A Honor Roll — Anniston Dale, Draylee Davis, Hattie Hogan, Ana Ingsson, Eli Jacobs, Taryn Johnson, Tayley Johnson, Amelia Long, Quincy Norris, Carly Richardson, Matt Richardson, Kade Smith, Hayli Young.

B Honor Roll — Axel Barnhart, Scotty Briggs, Danny Casbeer, Sadie Edington, Charlie Frank, Myer Gibson, Fred Graham, Conner Hicks, McKenna Hill, Caleb Ingsson, Destinee Ochoa, Cotton Osborn, Coy Osborn, Sierra Renner, Karsyn Smith, Dayton Stevens, Hadley Williams.

 

 

Josh Smith Hired as North Harrison Superintendent

The North Harrison R-III Board of Education announces that Josh Smith has been selected as the new Superintendent for the North Harrison R-III School District, beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

Mr. Smith is currently employed as the Principal of Worth County High School in the Worth County R-III School District. He has been employed in that district since 2010 as an Agriculture Education Instructor, Curriculum Director/Athletic Director, and currently as the High School Principal at Worth County.

The North Harrison R-III Board of Education interviewed a pool of qualified candidates and selected Mr. Smith for the position. According to Board President, Matt Graham, “The board believes that Josh has the qualifications and skill set that we were looking for in a new Superintendent. We look forward to the stability Josh brings, while helping the district move forward in a positive direction.”

Mr. Smith shared that he is looking forward to joining the North Harrison R-III School District. He stated, “As a proud North Harrison graduate and a long-time Shamrock supporter, I look forward to working with the dedicated staff and Board of Education in the district as we navigate the opportunities and challenges of providing a quality education for our students in our community.” He will assume the role of Superintendent on July 1, 2026.

 

Cynthia "Cyndi" Owens 1966-2026

Cynthia Ann Owens, 59 of Eagleville, MO passed away in her home on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Cyndi was born June 9th, 1966, to Will and Linda Brown in Santa Anna, California.

Cyndi married Rick Davis on November 15, 1986, and they had two children, Amber and Kari. Later, on August 16, 2002, she married James Owens, which brought four bonus children into her life: Amanda, Tara, Andrea, and Kevin. Cyndi and James also welcomed their granddaughter, Annabelle, into their home and raised her as one of their own.

Cyndi worked as a cook at a school for over 25 years, caring for every child who came through her line as if they were her own. She loved to celebrate holidays and special events by decorating the kitchen to reflect the occasion. There was never a child who left hungry or without feeling her love in some way. Outside of work, she enjoyed supporting her grandchildren, attending car shows, and spending time with James, her family, and friends.

Cyndi is preceded in death by her grandparents, Joe and Kathryn King, and father-in-law, Andy Owens.

Cyndi is survived in the home by her husband, James Owens and granddaughter, Annabelle; daughters, Amber (Jr) Anthony, Kari (Cody) Parkhurst, Amanda (Tim) Miller, Tara (Caleb) Name, Andrea (Cress) Kain; son, Kevin Owens; grandchildren, Jay, TJ, Jordyn, Kathryn, Emily, Rollan, Lily, Kayson, Daxon, Tristen, Ethan, Hailey, Dakota, and Jemma; parents, Will and Linda Brown; brothers, David (Meggan) Brown and Rodney (Dawn) Brown; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Her memory will be carried in our hearts forever.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 27 at the North Harrison High School, Eagleville, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Blythedale, MO. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday at Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com.