Springfield parent and community volunteer Sarah Hough plans to run for SPS board

Sarah Hough, a Springfield parent and community volunteer, wants to serve on the school board of Missouri’s largest district.

“I’m running because I believe parents need a strong voice and representation on the school board. I am proud that both of my children are SPS students,” Hough said in a statement Monday.

“As a board member, I will work to ensure our educators are fully supported and equipped with the resources needed to provide a high-quality education that prepares students for lifelong success. Every parent wants that for their child, and I will be the Voice for families in the Springfield area.”

An educator-raised public school advocate became the second Springfielder to announce his candidacy for the school board in April.

Gail Smart, community volunteer and wife of the former president of the University of Missouri, announced her intention Thursday. Two of her sons graduated from the district school.

The first day that potential candidates can receive the package is Friday. In April, voters will elect two board members to serve three-year terms.

The seats are currently occupied by Kelly Byrne, a real estate developer and investor, and Steve Macoski, a military veteran and longtime Springfield businessman. Both were elected in 2022.

Macoski said Friday he will not seek reelection.. Byrne has not yet said whether he will do so.

Hough, 40, is a senior manager of community and supplier relations for Bass Pro Shops. She is responsible for employee engagement and community outreach programs that impact more than 35,000 employees across North America.

“I make decisions every day that impact employees all over the country, and this has helped me develop decision-making skills by putting myself in other people’s shoes and understanding different points of view,” Hough said in an interview Monday. “As a board member, that would be my priority: listening to stakeholders—parents, educators, children, community leaders—and working together to find the best solution.”

The Valley Springs, Arkansas native previously worked for the Springfield Downtown Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University.

“My goal as a board member is to listen and make decisions that will put our students and teachers first,” she said in a press release. “Strong public schools are a fundamental requirement of strong communities.”

She has been involved in various public positions, including:

• Current Care to Learn board member;

• Current member of the City Utilities Advisory Council;

• Former Chairman of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce Education Task Force;

• Former board member of the Discovery Center in Springfield;

• Former Ozarks YMCA Advisory Board Member

“The superpower of boards is that you have different perspectives and different strengths at the table. On each board, I played a slightly different role in terms of whether my fundraising experience was needed or whether I was going to be more involved in program development,” she said. “I try to collaborate and work with people to make sure everyone’s strengths play the role they need to play and make decisions that serve the greater good.”

As a member of the House education task force, Hough said she has noticed a limited number of parent voices on the school board.

“We have a really great pipeline of educators, scientists and lawyers… but I want to make sure we have a strong parent voice on the board because many of the decisions that are made do impact families. in meaningful ways,” Hough said in an interview. “The reason I’m running now is to be a strong voice for families.”

Hough was married to state Sen. Lincoln Hough, who recently launched a bid for lieutenant governor but lost in the Republican primary.

Together they have two children who attend Springfield public schools. Their children attend a field primary school and the Center for Education of Gifted Children. Phelps.

More: Steve Makoskie will not seek re-election on the SPS board and plans to seek ‘other opportunities’

Her parents were public school teachers, and her sister works as a college and career counselor at a high school. The family was involved in public school advocacy at the local and state levels.

After Hough moved to Springfield, she founded the nonprofit Valley Springs School Foundation to support schools in her Arkansas hometown. It funds student scholarships and special projects.

“We are fortunate to have quality public schools in our area. We need leaders on the school board who advocate and support our educators so they can focus on educating our children,” Hough said in a press release.

“I respect the work of the board and believe I have a valuable contribution to make as a parent of SPS children and an active member of the community. I look forward to earning the support of our community.”

Darren Lehnert, an OB-GYN at Mercy Springfield for more than 25 years, will serve as Hough’s campaign treasurer. He also co-chaired the Friends of the PCA campaign committee, which raised money to support a $220 million bond issue in April 2023.

Lehnert is married to Alina Lehnert, who previously served as president of the Springfield school board.

“I have known Sarah for many years. She is a thoughtful leader full of integrity. I have dedicated my career to providing high-quality care to women, their children and families,” he said in a press release. “I believe Sarah will do the same for our children and SPS teachers. She has my full support.”

Hough said that while she doesn’t have a “specific agenda” in the race for the school board seat, she has listened to parents and specific topics have come up repeatedly.

“School safety is certainly front and center for many parents, and we must continue to be vigilant in ensuring our schools are safe for our students,” she said.

Hough said teacher recruitment and retention is another challenge that comes along with meeting the mental health needs of students.

“We must continue to support our teachers, recognize them and give them the resources they need to do good work,” she said.

(This story has been updated with additional information.)

This article originally appeared on the Springfield News-Leader: Springfield parent and volunteer Sarah Hough plans to run for SPS board