Two new members elected to SPS board

Two new members are set to join the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education following the April 8 election.

At the polls, the winning candidates for three-year terms were Sarah Hough and Gail Smart, according to the unofficial election results from Greene County Clerk Shane Schoeller's office.

Voters, who were asked to select two of four candidates on the ballot, put 29.3% of the tally toward Hough and 27.9% for Smart. The winning candidates collected 11,407 and 10,848 votes, respectively. Schoeller said election turnout was 14.2% of registered voters.

Incumbent board member Kelly Byrne received roughly 23% of the tally, or 8,931 votes, while candidate David Myers picked up nearly 20%, or 7,700 votes.

Hough, senior manager of community and outfitter engagement for Bass Pro Shops, spoke to a crowd of supporters last night at new Mayor Jeff Schrag's election watch party at Mother's Brewing Co.

“I think it’s so important that we have strong schools in our community, we have strong leadership at the city level – but schools really are the bedrock and foundation of our community,” she said.

In an interview following her remarks, Hough said her priority is making sure schools and classrooms are safe while ensuring academic achievement and spending tax dollars wisely in support of schools and students.

“I know that coming onto the board, I’ll have a lot to learn, and a lot of issues to study and budgets to study,” she said. “I’m looking forward to doing that work and keeping those priorities in mind.”

Hough said it’s important for board members to stay positive.

“I think it’s important that we speak positively about our schools and about our community, and that doesn’t mean you can’t acknowledge that there are challenges or obstacles we need to overcome together,” she said. “But our schools and our kids are doing some great things, and we have a lot of success, so there is a lot to be positive about.”

Community volunteer Smart also offered remarks, pointing to the fact that the district now has a board composed entirely of women.

“I cannot wait to get to work; I can’t wait to work with Sarah and all the incredible women on the board,” she said.

In an interview after her remarks, Smart, like Hough, spoke about the importance of positivity.

“I want to be an advocate for our school. It’s very important,” she said. “I know we have some challenges, but I also know that we need to be encouraging.”

Asked about a day-one priority as she enters her role, Smart said the budget is a pressing, current concern.

“It’s going to be tight, but I want to make sure programs for underresourced students and students that need extra help don’t get left out,” she said.

Byrne, principal and managing member of Say You Can Development LLC, provided a statement to Springfield Business Journal.

“It’s been an honor to serve our public school system for the last three years. I know we’ve done a lot of good things along the way. I’m proud to look my wife and kids in the eye and say I’ve challenged myself and worked hard to improve my community,” he said. “Congratulations to Gail and Sarah. Their victory comes with great responsibility, and I certainly want them to be successful for our children.”

Myers, an aircraft paint technician at Ozark Aeroworks LLC and staff sergeant in the Army National Guard, said on his Facebook page that he was proud of his campaign.

"We had a lot of great people putting in long hours, hard-earned money and big effort," he said. "I won’t say it doesn’t sting, but we aren’t throwing in the towel. The teachers and students I talk to are almost begging to be heard and valued, and as a parent, I’ve got their backs. I’m not going anywhere."

Hough and Smart are scheduled to be sworn in April 15, joining current board members Judy Brunner, Danielle Kincaid, Maryam Mohammadkhani, Susan Provance and Shurita Thomas-Tate.

SPS Chief Communications Officer Stephen Hall said a review of the district's archives indicate this will be the first time the board has been operated solely by women.