Ozarks Profile - Phyllis Chase

What is your job?

As chief of staff for Springfield Public Schools, Phyllis Chase is responsible for the school district's instructional program and day-to-day operations. "Our board of education recently set two challenging goals: raise student achievement, and reduce the dropout rate," she said. In response, the schools are implementing an accountability plan to monitor performance and ensure increased student achievement. "While Springfield public school students are doing very well on average, we believe with focus and support they can achieve at even higher levels," Chase said.

Please tell us about your company or department?

Springfield Public Schools, the state's third largest district and largest fully accredited district, has about 25,000 students, Chase said. "With over 3,000 employees we maintain 54 attendance centers, serve 12,900 lunches daily and transport 6,859 students over 7,000 miles every day."

What prepared you for work in your field?

During a 25-year span, Chase has been a teacher, counselor, college professor and administrator. These experiences and the acquisition of several education degrees, she said, have provided her with "a broad range of expertise."

Are developments in the economy having any effect on your field?

"Due to the fact that the Springfield Public Schools tax levy is one of the lowest in the state for schools of our size, the district is very vulnerable to state and local funding," Chase said. Although the schools have not been notified of any immediate re-duction in state funding, Chase said, "We anticipate that will happen in the near future. At that time, this community ... will need to make tough decisions regarding finances."

What trends can you see now and anticipate seeing in your field?

"Our publics across the country are requiring evidence that the money they are investing in public schools is yielding results," Chase said. "In Springfield we are having this conversation ... in terms of who is accountable for student achievement. This dialogue has yielded the framework for our district accountability plan."

What's the best part of your job?

"Working with a terrific staff," Chase said. "They are the reason that Springfield has some of the highest test scores in the state."

Can you tell us something about your personal life and family?

"My husband David, a Springfield dentist, and I celebrated our 30th anniversary this year and also saw two daughters get married," Chase said. "Kimberly, an attorney, and husband Ryan live in Chicago. Stefan, a broadcast journalist, and husband Michael live in Denver. Our son David, an information technologist, lives in Kansas City."

How to you like to spend your leisure time?

"I very much enjoy reading," Chase said. "I am currently reading Katharine Graham's autobiography, Personal History.'"

by Frank Shipe