Longtime New Madrid County R-1 employee will lead District

Bridgett Masterson, right, the new interim superintendent with the New Madrid County R-1 School District, sits with Kay Rebstock, R-1 Board of Education president, after signing her contract for the 2024-25 school year. Masterson, a longtime employee with the District in numerous capacities was named to her current post in June. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

NEW MADRID, Mo. — During the past 30 years, Bridgett Masterson has filled many roles in the New Madrid County R-1 School District.

She was a teacher, a coach, a principal, the director of elementary and secondary education and most recently the District’s director of special education. In June, she was named to her newest position as interim superintendent.

A lifelong resident of the community, Masterson began her career in the R-1 District in 1994 as an assistant teacher. She would go on to teach fourth, fifth and sixth grades and would later work with seventh and eighth grade students with learning disabilities as well as coach Middle School girls volleyball and basketball.

In 2004, Masterson was appointed assistant principal at Matthews Elementary and the next year served as principal at Lilbourn Elementary. Her career continued in administration as she worked as assistant principal at Central High School, principal at New Madrid Elementary and served as director of elementary and secondary education for the District. In 2016, Masterson assumed the role of director of special education.

She also knows what it is like to be a parent of students attending R-1 schools. Masterson is married to Russell Masterson and they have two daughters, Brittany Garner and Courtney Masterson.

Her background working throughout the District has enabled her to ease into her new post as the District’s superintendent. She noted as director of special education she has worked with the District’s leadership team on curriculum and attended school board meetings with her predecessor, Dr. Sam Duncan.

“I’m very excited to take on this new role,” Masterson said. “I am excited about taking the District forward.”

But there is also a lot to learn. In July Masterson attended trainings for new superintendents and on federal programs. There were also meetings on how to improve attendance, a problem faced by Districts throughout the state.

Her focus as the New Madrid County R-1 superintendent will be on student achievement and academics, she said.

“I want us to provide a good environment where students can feel safe and learn,” Masterson said.

Also she said she will strive to work closely with parents and encourage more parental involvement in their child’s education and attendance.

“The more parents are involved, the better their kids will do,” she added.

With her first school board meeting as the District’s leader under her belt, Masterson said she is looking forward to a good working relationship with the R-1 School Board.

“We have a great Board,” Masterson said. “We have a Board who listens and wants to do best for the students, parents and the communities.”

Kay Rebstock, Board president, said they are pleased with the choice of Masterson to serve as interim superintendent.

“She is enthusiastic and more than willing to learn,’ Rebstock said. “She knows probably 99 percent of the people in the District. We are looking forward to working with her.”

Masterson emphasized in her role as New Madrid County R-1’s superintendent, she wants to be available to even to that 1 percent she may not know.

“My door is always open if they need me,” she said. “I am here for everyone.”