Bob Curtis knows the halls of Community R-6 well. The names and faces, the alumni, the accomplishments – it's all familiar. Of course, he has been at the school for 17 years and is entering his seventh year as principal of the middle and high school.

Curtis attended high school in Sturgeon, where he was a golf champion and went to the final four in basketball. No wonder he doubles as the Trojans girls basketball coach and has been named coach of the year 10 times. Curtis holds a bachelor's degree from Central Methodist University and a Master of Education from William Woods.

1. What's it like being a principal in a pandemic?

It was challenging. I would say it's reinventing the wheel. We came up with a checklist for teachers and there was a lot of communication.

2. How well did the school do?

I think for it being thrown at us we did the best we could. We're way more prepared now once we've seen it.

3. As a rural school was distance learning a challenge?

We have WiFi on our buses. We parked them in communities so kids could connect.

4. WiFi on your buses?

We went to that a while back so kids could do homework on the bus, on the way to road games. For students who were limited in access it was an option.

5. When you are both coach and principal, do your players treat you differently?

I don't think its any different. We have really good kids who are respectful. They don't operate any differently. But definitely I know if an athlete has been in trouble.

6. What makes your girls team so consistently strong?

I think we've had good people in place when the kids were young. You can't start when you're a freshman. And there's stability. I've been here 17 years. We have our program where we want it.

7. Do you miss having the football agreement with Van-Far?

It gave our kids another opportunity. The more opportunity for kids the better. I'm hoping at some point we can give them another option.

8. It's always fun to hit the traffic circle and see a school in the middle of fields.

We're the only thing around here. But we do have four communities around us.

9. Is there a strong bond between community and school?

We have great community support and a willingness to help us improve. We have a lot of good kids. It's a good school.

10. When you retire, which will be harder to leave – being principal or coach?

You know, I do love both. I'm passionate about instilling confidence, to have the confidence that you are good at something. I love the kids. I get to work with students who may need someone to help change their lives for the better and be successful. I don't know which will be harder because I like them both.