United Springfield endorses 2 SPS board candidates

The United Springfield political action committee has endorsed two of the four candidates for Springfield Public Schools Board of Education seats this April.

Sarah Hough, senior manager for community and outfitter engagement at Bass Pro Shops, and community volunteer Gail Smart picked up endorsements from the PAC, according to a news release.

“Our process has exceeded our expectations.” said Jim Anderson, co-chair of United Springfield, in the release. "Many people have reached out to us to share they appreciate the transparency in which we operate, independent from any organization, and wanted us to select candidates that best fit our mission. After a thoughtful discussion and deliberation, we are confident we have done so."

Candidates for the SPS board were interviewed by United Springfield steering committee members on Jan. 6. The candidates were asked the same questions, and they also submitted responses to a questionnaire prior to the in-person interview.

Hough and Smart were recently certified by the district for the April 8 election along with Kelly Byrne, incumbent board member and managing partner of development company Say You Can LLC, and David Myers, aircraft paint technician at Ozark Aeroworks LLC.

The two seats up for grabs in April are held by Byrne and board member Steve Makoski, who is not seeking reelection. The SPS Board of Education has seven members who serve three-year terms.