Local school board issues are important and relevant to us all. Seven candidates running on the April 2, 2024 ballot for Springfield R-12 School Board were on campus Wed., March 27 to discuss their platforms, priorities and goals if elected. Below is a recording and updated information. This event was free & open to students, campus community and the public.
Forum Recording
Forum Update
Three of the candidates attending the March 27th local election forum are current Springfield Public Schools school board members and needed to leave the forum early to fulfill their board obligations at an SPS event.
The final question that they did not have a chance to answer in person has been posted to them via email:
Our local elections have historically low voter turnout. As an SPS board member, what can you do to help inspire college students to engage civically in local elections and what about this election impacts them directly?
Their answers are provided here:
Scott Crise:
It’s unfortunate that we have had historically low voter turnout for such important elections, like a school board election. Hosting events like the one at MSU for students to learn about candidates’ platforms is one way to inspire college students to engage in local elections. I was so impressed with the turnout, as I’ve never been to a forum that was standing room only. Another way to inspire college students to engage civically in the local elections is to conduct voter drives. I was lucky enough to attend one that Paws to the Polls hosted a couple of weeks ago and was able to interact with students to discuss important issues facing the Springfield Public Schools. This election will definitely have a direct impact on students at Missouri State both now and in the future, as a number of SPS graduates will attend MSU. I strongly believe the success of the community depends on the success of the public education system. If we want to continue growing Springfield, want strong economic development and want to create jobs, we must have a strong public education system that collaborates with businesses and universities. I look forward to supporting these collaborative efforts.
Danielle Kincaid:
Public education is the foundation of a successful community. Only approximately 17% of registered voters voted in April 2023 in the Springfield Public School Board of Education election. We expect a similar voter turnout for April 2024. I encourage college students to register to vote in Springfield, even if it is not where they graduated from high school. Springfield is your chosen home for at least four years (and I hope for longer!). This is your home while you live here, and you should engage in local elections while you live here. If you are registered elsewhere in Missouri (and not in Springfield), you can still encourage others to be an informed voter and encourage others to VOTE on April 2, 2024. You can also educate yourself on the candidates and issues on the ballot, and share your choices via social media to help voters be educated about their ballot. Your voice carries just as far and loud as those who do vote in Springfield. As a community (which you are part of while you attend college in Springfield), we must support our public schools and participate in school board elections. The students sitting in our classrooms are the future of our community, state, and nation, and we each have a vested interest in ensuring our future workforce enters our community as success-ready adults.
Candidates attending this forum included:
- Scott Crise
- Danielle Kincaid
- Landon McCarter
- Maryam Mohammadkhani
- Susan Provance
- Chad Rollins
- Kyler Sherman-Wilkins
Click here to view the Nonpartisan Guide to the Greene County Municipal Election!
Sponsored by MSU’s Paws to the Polls and Office of Public Affairs Support.
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