Letter to the Editor: Hough, Smart will support students to achieve their highest potential

Dear editor,

Springfield Public Schools is the largest and most complex school district in Missouri with 3,400 educators and employees serving 24,500 students in our community. We need a school board with a clear focus on our students, teachers, the administration and staff along with the needed resources and facilities that ensure a strong and healthy school system.

United Springfield’s mission is to endorse our local Springfield Public School board candidates who will serve with skill and commitment to support our students, their families and our educators with excellence and care. Our children really are our future, and they deserve the strongest support to achieve their highest potential.

Sarah Hough and Gail Smart are two candidates with a passion for our students, families, educators, staff and all that is needed to have a thriving SPS. They have personal experience as SPS parents, PTA leaders, volunteers, advocates and fundraisers. Equally important, Sarah and Gail have a demonstrated history of supporting the continued development of SPS. They have a clear focus on serving all students, families and educators to nurture student success and a thriving community. In addition, they bring a wealth of professional, legal and community experience with large, complex organizations. They each demonstrate a clear understanding of the critical role of a board member and the ability to collaborate and track progress. And an added benefit is their experience advocating for our schools at the state level.

United Springfield encourages eligible voters to join us in voting for Sarah Hough and Gail Smart for our SPS Board.

United Springfield steering committee includes co-chairs Jim Anderson and Terri McQueary along with Alexis Childs, Orin Cummings, Steve Edwards, Emily Givens, Jay Guffey, Jeff Johnson, Mark Powell, David Ross, Debbie Shantz-Hart, Carol Taylor and Claire Whitlock.

—United Springfield steering committee