Municipal elections are next Tuesday.

In the Springfield Public Schools (SPS) district and many surrounding areas, school board elections will be on the ballot.

School board members connect their local communities to the public schools. Who we elect to school boards has a direct impact on the curriculum taught, student achievement and outcomes, composition of the faculty and staff, and facility and financial management of our public schools.

In short, school board elections are very important. I hope you will take time to research the candidates for the school district you live in and vote next Tuesday.

Review candidates

In SPS, we have five candidates running for two spots on the seven-member board.

The Springfield Daily Citizen interviewed and published articles about each candidate:

• Charles Taylor.
• Steve Makoski.
• Chad T. Courtney.
• Brandi VanAntwerp.
• Kelly Byrne.

The Daily Citizen also published a Q&A series titled “Which Springfield school board candidates do you align with?” that provides information about each candidate’s stance on several critical issues, including:

• COVID mitigation.
• MAP and ACT scores.
• Staggered start times.
• Teacher staffing issues.
• And more.

The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce has announced its endorsement of two candidates. The Springfield NEA has also announced its endorsement of two candidates.

Vote April 5

Please take a look at the materials linked above and other information you have at your disposal. Educate yourself and vote next Tuesday.

The Davis-Harrington Welcome Center will once again serve as a central polling location for the April election. If you are registered to vote anywhere in Greene County, you can vote in the Welcome Center or at your regular polling location.

The Welcome Center will be open for voting 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. April 5.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!