Springfield NEA union elects new leader who vows to repair SPS rift, listen to members Springfield NEA president Shannon Benne has served in many union roles from treasurer to bargaining team member.

Springfield's largest teacher union has a new leader, one who vows to rebuild relationships, listen to members and repair any damage from an apparent rift with the district.
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SPS deputy superintendent Travis Shaw placed on paid leave, future with district unclear A top Springfield Public Schools official confirmed June 16 that deputy superintendent Travis Shaw is on paid leave for an undisclosed reason.

Springfield Public Schools places deputy superintendent Travis Shaw on paid leave, future with district unclear.

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Joel Alexander, longtime spokesman for Springfield City Utilities, will retire June 12 Joel Alexander, only the second official spokesman in the history of City Utilities, will retire after 23 years with the public utility.

Dwayne Fulk, president and CEO of City Utilities, said: "Joel has a sixth sense when it comes to what questions people will ask, what they want to know and the best part is that he is extremely calm."
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Who is Jamie Presley? Meet Springfield City Utilities' new public information officer Jamie Presley, manager of communications at Springfield City Utilities, has worked for CU since 2018 after nine years at KY3.

"We are committed to transparency. We are committed to keeping our customers informed," Presley said in a June 5 interview. "The heart of what we do is serve this community."
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New leaders of Missouri school board, elected amid major shakeup, have ties to Springfield Mary Schrag was elected president of the Missouri Board of Education and Kenneth "Brooks" Miller Jr. was elected vice president Tuesday.

Members of the Missouri Board of Education elected new leadership with strong ties to Springfield during a Tuesday meeting marked by significant change.

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Fighting terminal leukemia, Springfield mom of two boys earns high school diploma Genesee Bolivar, a mother of two, recently returned to Glendale High School to earn a diploma despite dealing with a terminal leukemia diagnosis.

"There were lots of tears shed around the building today when she passed the final test," said Glendale Principal Josh Groves. "There was a parade of probably 40 staff members in and out of that room to congratulate her."

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Ozark Mountain Daredevils' Larry Lee, co-writer of 'Jackie Blue' song, dies Saturday Larry Lee, who was inducted into the Springfield Public Schools Hall of Fame in 2023, worked as a session musician, songwriter and record producer.

Larry Lee, a founding member of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils who penned the hit "Jackie Blue" with late bandmate Steve Cash, died Saturday in Springfield.

"It was unexpected for all of us," said manager Dwight Glenn.
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SPS Teacher of the Year finalist Danielle O'Neil strives to be a 'light' for students Danielle O'Neil, one of five finalists for Springfield teacher of the year, said she greets students by name and asks about their day.

"Teaching is hard but when we are there for the kids, we might be the light of their day. They might be having a bad day and we can change that," she said.
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With $48M in unspent funds, SPS wants to add Bingham, Bissett to 2023 bond project list Principals at Springfield's Bingham and Bissett elementary schools say the upgraded facilities, which include storm shelters, are badly needed.

With $48M in unspent funds, SPS wants to add Bingham, Bissett to 2023 bond project list. The board supported the move, unanimously.
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Gov. Kehoe withdraws support, for now, for Tom Prater to serve on MO Board of Education Gov. Mike Kehoe has pulled support, at least temporarily, for Springfield eye surgeon Tom Prater, one of four appointees to the Board of Education.

Gov. Mike Kehoe has pulled his appointment — at least temporarily — for Springfield eye surgeon Thomas Prater, one of four recent appointees to the Missouri Board of Education.
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Sparta school superintendent accepts finance, business director job in Ozark district Landon Gray, who lives in Ozark, has been the Sparta superintendent since mid-2021. He will move to the Ozark school district July 1.

Landon Gray, superintendent of the Sparta district, has accepted a job in Ozark.

The Ozark school board voted April 17 to hire Gray, who lives in Ozark, as the executive director of finance and business services for the 2025-26 year. He starts July 1.
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In election post, SPS board member questions display of Iran flag, blames board makeup Springfield school board member Maryam Mohammadkhani questions display of Iranian flag at school, alleges it was hung under "guise of inclusivity."

In election post, SPS board member questions display of Iran flag, blames board makeup

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At New Covenant Academy tonight for the commissioning ceremony for new head of school, Tim Casey.

Local poets group Bards of Moon City publishes third anthology, hosts poetry readings In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Bards of Moon City will host a series of free poetry readings in Springfield during April.

Local poets group Bards of Moon City publishes third anthology, hosts poetry readings

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Here is where each Springfield school board candidate stands on annualized pay A question about annualized pay came up during a candidate forum Saturday hosted by the Springfield NAACP.

Here is where each Springfield school board candidate stands on annualized pay
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Teacher diversity, achievement gaps, LGBTQ student support topics at SPS candidate forum At a Springfield NAACP forum, school board candidates were asked about achievement gaps, teacher diversity, support for LGBTQ students.

Teacher diversity, achievement gaps, LGBTQ student support topics at SPS candidate forum
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Rob Hornberger, who found love and his calling on Missouri State's campus, is retiring Rob Hornberger, who helped create Missouri State's inaugural strategic enrollment management plan, will retire this summer.

Rob Hornberger, who found love and his calling on Missouri State's campus, is retiring
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More than 30 people showed up Saturday for the school board forum hosted by the Springfield NAACP. Candidates Gail Smart, Sarah Hough and incumbent Kelly Byrne were present. David Myers was unavailable because of military duty.

SPS board agrees to build new Pershing Middle School on same campus Springfield school officials said Pershing students and teachers will be able to remain on campus while the new middle school is built.

Top officials, and the architects and designers hired to review options, said new construction will be more cost-effective in the long run and result in a better, safer school campus.
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SPS leader proposes $400K in stipends for teachers, staff at six high need schools Superintendent Grenita Lathan outlined the plan Tuesday for strategic support stipends at six schools with extra challenges.

SPS leader proposes $400K in stipends for teachers, staff at six high need schools

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School choice, increased public scrutiny part of Ozark school board candidate forum Three Ozark school board candidates are vying for two open seats in the April 8 election. Only one incumbent is on the ballot.

School choice, increased public scrutiny part of Ozark school board candidate forum

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SPS board candidates endorsed by labor union that represents school bus drivers Three of four Springfield school board candidates won the backing of the Teamsters Local No. 245 and the Springfield Labor Council.

Springfield school board candidates endorsed by labor union that represents school bus drivers

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A Springfield school librarian reads kids a poem a week. It inspired a book. Angela Knight, library media specialist at Harrison Elementary, wrote the forward for the new book. She was also awarded SPS Employee of the Month.

"It was something she was doing that became a book that will be sold nationally and internationally." - David Harrison

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Missouri Jobs With Justice wants City Council to cap campaign donations in local races The group is pushing for an ordinance to cap campaign contributions at $2,000 as a way of limiting the influence of businesses and wealthy donors.

Missouri Jobs With Justice wants City Council to cap campaign donations in local races
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Campaign ads for 2 of 4 SPS school board candidates start running Monday on KY3 Two of the four Springfield school board candidates have purchased more than $87,000 worth of TV ads ahead of the April 8 election.

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Two of the four Springfield school board candidates have purchased more than $87,000 worth of TV ads ahead of the April 8 election.

Ferguson-Florissant parts ways with superintendent accused of sexual harassment, retaliation The north St. Louis County district announced Friday it has opted to keep in place the two interim leaders named in January after placing Joseph Davis on administrative leave.

The north St. Louis County district announced Friday it has opted to keep in place the two interim leaders named in January after placing Joseph Davis on administrative leave.

Trump’s Education Department to investigate KU over alleged ‘race-exclusionary practices’ KU is among 45 schools under investigation for partnering with an organization that aims to encourage students from diverse backgrounds to pursue doctoral degrees.

Trump’s Education Department to investigate KU over alleged ‘race-exclusionary practices.’ The latest from @bymatthewkelly.bsky.social
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Refugees 'starting from zero' recall vital help from now-gutted local resettlement agency "They have been like a mother for us," said the matriarch of a family of Iraqi refugees helped by the International Institute of Southwest Missouri.

"We always hear about America, how it's great, about how people can achieve their dreams here and they can plan for the future," said Ahmed Alaid, 25, who works six days a week as a delivery driver.

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Education Department, with mass layoff, cuts nearly half its staff The staff reductions are the latest effort by the Trump administration to decrease the federal government’s role in education.

The Education Department said Tuesday that it is cutting its staff by about half, a major step toward President Donald Trump’s goal of shrinking the federal role in education and one that critics denounced as damaging to American children.