Chamber directors endorse 3 school board candidates

Scott Crise

Danielle Kincaid

Jill Patterson

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The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors endorsed three candidates for the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education election coming up in April.

Scott Crise, Danielle Kincaid and Jill Patterson were selected by the chamber's school board endorsement task force, according to a news release, following interviews with the seven candidates that are seeking election. Officials say the task force’s process included a 14-question written survey and in-person meetings.

Chamber board Chairperson Logan Aguirre said in the release that Crise, Kincaid and Patterson rose to the top "based on their qualifications and skills being best suited to complement the current board."

"Underlying this decision is the chamber’s education platform, which is focused on ensuring the region’s K-12 school systems successfully prepare students for higher education and the workforce,” Aguirre said in the release.

Patterson, Title IX coordinator for Missouri State University, is the only incumbent running in the April 6 general election. She previously served as the SPS board's president and vice president.

Crise works as manager of technical services for Associated Electric Cooperative Inc., and attorney Kincaid is a co-founder of The Elder Law Group LLC, according to the release.

The other candidates running April 6 are:
• Kelly Byrne, managing member of Say You Can LLC;
• Maryam Mohammadkhani, a pathologist at CoxHealth;
• Daniel Ogunyemi, director of diversity, equity and inclusion for Ozarks Technical Community College; and
• Brandi VanAntwerp, grant administrator for the CoxHealth Foundation.

Voters in April will select three candidates for the seven-member board, according to a sample ballot posted by the Green County clerk's office.

Board members Gerry Lee and Bruce Renner have chosen not to run again. The third spot up for election is Patterson’s seat.