At the February 5 board meeting, the Mt. Vernon Board of Education hired Mr. Zack Kleine as the new Middle School Principal and Mrs. Ashton Botts as the Assistant High School Principal for the 2026-2027 school year.
Mr. Kleine has a combined 11 years of classroom experience and leadership. He has taught Physical Education for five years in Monett, Physical Education and Character Education for two years in Cassville, one year of Physical Education in Clever, and has served the last three years in Pierce City as the AD, Alternative Learning Director, and part time Elementary Assistant Principal.
Zack is a Mt. Vernon graduate and is looking forward to coming back to give back to the school community here. He has a strong desire to continue to cultivate the culture of the staff in the building and be a support to students, staff, and families.
Mrs. Botts has 12 years of classroom experience. She taught High School Science at Monett for three years, 7th-9th Math in Miller for two years, and has spent the last seven years at Mt. Vernon teaching 5th grade and 7th grade Science.
She has also served as the Middle School AD for the past two years, as well as holding other leadership roles within the building.
Her deep roots in the community, as well as her consistent leadership qualities, will help support a strong transition in the leadership roles taking place next year.