Frances Nungester Elementary School opened its doors in 1984.  However, the vision for the Braggin' Dragons had been many years in the making.  In 1975, the Decatur City Board of Education purchased 14.54 acres of land on Tammy Street Southwest. By 1977, the Board had employed the University of Tennessee Planning Laboratory to collaborate with local teachers, administrators, and supervisors in planning the new school.  In March of 1978, their report was submitted to the board.

By the early 80's, schools in southwest Decatur were rapidly reaching capacity enrollments.  The board moved ahead with plans for the new school.  Bonds were sold in the spring of 1982 in order to fund the project, and ground was broken on May 24, 1982. 

Miss Frances Nungester, the namesake of the school, made outstanding contributions to elementary education in the state of Alabama.  She served as a teacher, principal, and director of elementary education  for the city of Decatur.  In honor of her 42 years of devotion to children, the Decatur City Board of Education named the new school in her honor.  During the dedication service for the new school, a portrait of Miss Nungester was donated to Frances Nungester Elementary. The portrait now hangs in the school library.  Painted by her sister, Mrs. Mildred Nungester Wolfe, the portrait ensures that Miss Nungester will forever be a loving presence in the building.                                                                    

Frances Nungester Elementary School continues to be a wonderful school in which to teach and to learn.  In 1983, Ms. Rhonda Harris, Ms. Gloria Davis, Ms. Diann Brown, and Ms. Norma Matthews were among the members of the first staff at Frances Nungester, and they are still positively impacting the lives of students daily at the school.