The Peabody Award-winning PBS documentary, “180 Days: Hartsville,” premieres on KMOS-TV in March, and the station is hosting free pre-screening events and panel discussions in Warrensburg on Feb. 18; Jefferson City, March 2; and Columbia, March 5.

“180 Days: Hartsville” is a co-production between the National Black Programming Consortium and South Carolina ETV. The film highlights the roles of two elementary school principals and the district superintendent, Dr. Edward Ingram, and the leadership roles that are needed to determine resources and focus for the schools.

A panel discussion also airs immediately following the national program. The panel, which includes Missouri educators, explores in more detail the vision for mid-Missouri schools, and how the state’s rural school districts can learn from the Hartsville experience. It also looks at recent developments in statewide public policy and education issues that need to come together to transform education in this state.

The program, “180 Days: Hartsville,” debuts on KMOS-TV at 8-10 p.m. (part one at 8 p.m. and part two at
9 p.m.) Tuesday, March 17, followed by an hour-long panel discussion at 10 p.m. The documentary and follow-up program will be repeated at midnight March 17 on KMOS-TV and at 1 a.m. Wednesday, March 18.

The free pre-screenings and panel discussions begin Wednesday, Feb. 18 in Warrensburg. The screening takes place in Nahm Auditorium on the University of Central Missouri campus at 2 p.m., followed by the panel discussion at 3 p.m. “Hartsville” also shows at 10 a.m., with the panel discussion at 11 a.m. Monday, March 2, at the Interpretive Center, Missouri State Library in Jefferson City. Rounding out the special community events is the final pre-screening at 10 a.m. and panel discussion at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 5, at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia.

For more information, contact Mary Clevenger at 660-543-8922 or mclevenger@kmos.org. Additional information about the film can be found at blackpublicmedia.org/180dayshartsville/.