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Springfield Board of Education Has Two New Members; Two City Sales Taxes will Continue

Alissa Zhu
/
KSMU

The Springfield Board of Education has two new members.  Charles Taylor and Alina Lehnert came out ahead in Tuesday’s election.  Lehnert has said her priorities as a board member would be to advocate for students, staff and families by “maximizing our financial, human and material resources so our children and community succeed.”

Taylor has said his goal would be “the continuous improvement of the district.”  According to Taylor, the district must work to “maximize the learning opportunities for every student.”

They defeated three other candidates in the race for the three year terms on the school board.

More than 85 percent of Springfield voters said yes to the continuation of two sales taxes.  One is a one-fourth of one percent tax to fund high-priority capital improvements such as widening Fremont from Sunset to Battlefield and adding additional turn lanes at Battlefield and Fremont.  Another project planned is to widen Primrose from South to Kimbrough.  The tax also funds things like the School Sidewalk and Sidewalk Repair Programs.

The other tax that voters decided to continue is a one-eighth of one percent tax for high-priority transportation improvements.  Some projects expected to be completed with the tax are adding bike lanes and sidewalks on Cherry between Barnes and Oak Grove and adding dual left turn lanes on Republic Rd. at Campbell.

Nearly 75 percent of Willard voters said yes to a measure that would allow the school district to borrow $5.5 million.  The money will be used to build a classroom addition at Orchard Hills Elementary, install an HVAC system at North Elementary and purchase land for a new intermediate school.  The debt service levy will remain unchanged.

Voters in the Marion C. Early District overwhelmingly approved a measure allowing the district to borrow $1 million for improvements to schools.

And 73 percent of Nixa voters said yes to Nixa Schools borrowing $4.5 million for school improvements.  The debt service levy will remain unchanged.

View Greene County Election Results here.

Michele Skalicky has worked at KSMU since the station occupied the old white house at National and Grand. She enjoys working on both the announcing side and in news and has been the recipient of statewide and national awards for news reporting. She likes to tell stories that make a difference. Michele enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking, camping and leisurely kayaking.