Fordland school district hires Willow Springs superintendent as next leader 

provided by Fordland R-III School District 

Marty Spence says he is excited to join Fordland after 23 years in Willow Springs. 

The Fordland R-III School District board has hired Marty Spence as its next superintendent. He will start July 1. 

Spence, superintendent in Willow Springs since 2022, will replace Stephanie Vickers, who accepted a job as assistant superintendent of academic services in Marshfield. 

“My educational philosophy is to love, serve and educate, and that’s what I hope to bring to Fordland,” Spence said in an interview with Springfield Business Journal. 

Spence has spent his entire 23-year education career in Willow Springs. He taught English and served as an assistant principal and high school principal before he was named superintendent in 2022. 

The Willow Springs district has made difficult decisions in the past year, cutting staff and spending after an enrollment decline, according to an email the district sent families in August.  

Spence said the district has positive momentum, which he hopes will continue under its next superintendent. Jon Johnson, principal of Willow Springs Middle School, has been hired for that role effective July 1. 

The starting salary for Spence in Fordland has not yet been finalized by the school board.  

Spence, who has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Missouri State University, has a doctorate in educational administration from Lindenwood University. Spence and wife Megan have three daughters.