Dr. Golden’s contract not renewed at Mountain Grove R-III

A long list of Mountain Grove R-III School District administrators had their employment contracts renewed for the 2025-2026 school year during closed session of the School Board meeting held on Feb. 19.
One administrator’s name not on that list was Mountain Grove Middle School Principal Dr. Lori Golden. During the same closed session, School Board members voted 5-0 to not renew her contract. Her husband and Board member, Joe Golden, did not vote. Board member Ryan Morris was not present for the meeting.
Since it is a personnel matter, district administration is unable to comment further on the matter. As news spread of the Dr. Golden’s contract not being renewed, who has served in her hometown district since 2010, a lot of support has been expressed on social media on her behalf.
Many have expressed a desire to request a special board meeting or have plans to express their concerns at the upcoming March 19 School Board meeting.
Any discussion on the matter in a meeting setting for the public though would likely need to be made in closed session due to it being a personnel issue.
Dr. Golden herself took to social media and has said that pursuant to RSMo. 168.101.6, she has requested a hearing with the school board.
According to that statute, if certified and reemployed five times in the same district, she can request within in 10 days of the notice in writing a statement of reasons for the Board’s decision on her employment. Golden may also have counsel at a hearing and offer a testimony of witnesses.
Right after informing Dr. Golden of the decision, the district began advertising to fill the administrator role she still serves in through June 30. Dr. Golden offered some comments on a social media account as she referenced the outpouring of support she’s received from the community and her fellow MGMS teachers and staff.
She noted that she is proud to have worked at MGMS for 15 years and also said she is just three years away from retiring with 25 years of service.
Dr. Golden went over the success the school has enjoyed with 10-of-10 in test scores being above state average and with MGMS being first in the SCA Conference.
In last year’s review comments, it reportedly said, “Dr. Golden will need to demonstrate that she is a cooperative member of the district leadership team while continuing her strong leadership skills for the next school year.”
In this year’s comments she says they include a note, “Dr. Golden was given very specific areas that needed to be addressed if she wanted to receive a contract for this year. The school board has decided that those concerns were not addressed and has decided to not renew.”
Dr. Golden went on to say the common thing she’s hearing is, “if they are willing to fire you, they are willing to fire anyone.” (This story will be updated as more information becomes available.)