Applicants sought for SPS Ambassador program, offering behind-the-scenes look at district

Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader
·2 min read
The SPS Ambassadors are community members who received behind-the-scenes access to the district's schools and programs. Applicants are being sought for the 2023-24 class.
The SPS Ambassadors are community members who received behind-the-scenes access to the district's schools and programs. Applicants are being sought for the 2023-24 class.

Springfield Public Schools is looking for community members who want to meet with district leaders and receive behind-the-scenes access to schools and programs.

Anyone interested in participating in the third class of the SPS Ambassadors program — operated by the district and the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools — is asked to apply by Aug. 7.

The goal of the program, started during the 2021-22 year, is to engage the community and deepen understanding of the district, its programs and services.

Superintendent Grenita Lathan started the effort and will meet with the participants during the upcoming school year.

“This will be our third group of Ambassadors to participate in this unique learning opportunity,” said Lathan, in a news release. “Through this collaborative effort with the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, we are able to engage with people who believe in public education and who are willing to advocate on behalf of Springfield Public Schools and its students.”

The SPS Ambassadors are community members who received behind-the-scenes access to the district's schools and programs. Applicants are being sought for the 2023-24 class.
The SPS Ambassadors are community members who received behind-the-scenes access to the district's schools and programs. Applicants are being sought for the 2023-24 class.

This year, the meetings will be from 5-8 p.m. on the following Mondays: Sept. 25, Jan. 22, March 25 and June 17.

“Ambassadors get an exclusive pass to see behind the scenes of how SPS operates and and serves its 24,600 students and 4,000 employees,” said Natalie Murdock, executive director of Foundation for Springfield Public Schools, in the release.

“In past years, they have visited Choice programs like AgAcademy, participated in walking tours of the General Services Center and Transportation Center and previewed the new strategic plan.”

The applicants will be reviewed and the participants announced by late August. Each class has members from each high school feeder pattern.

At the June 27 meeting, ambassadors from the 2022-23 year were recognized. They included: Sara Barry; Kendall Bennett; Christie Browne; Gary Buzbee; Becky Cliffton Hopkins; Chelsea Coale; Allison England; James Robert Hayes; Joe Holcomb; Joyce Jarman; Jennifer Johnston; Jim Mason; Ale McClanahan; Lindsey McDaniel; Debi Murray; Steve Nurnberg; Kim Ross; Lisa Schultheis; Krystal Simon; Amy Sutton; and Mike White.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Applicants sought for next class of SPS Ambassadors program