'Friends of SPS' launch campaign to pass $220M school district bond issue in April

A campaign committee formed to support a previous bond issue for Springfield Public Schools announced Tuesday that it will advocate for passage of the $220 million bond issue in April.

"Our goal is to build off our previous grassroots efforts — to assess what voters need from us and provide those resources," Alina Lehnert, a co-chair, told the News-Leader. "We are currently listening and gathering data to create a roadmap this year."

The #YESonS campaign is expected to include texts, emails, phone calls, knocking on doors, social media, mailers, commercials and meeting with individuals and small groups.

Friends of SPS said it endorses the "no tax increase" funding request known as Proposition S. If it is approved, the district's tax levy will not change but its overall indebtedness will increase.

The proposed projects include:

• A new Pipkin Middle School;

• A new Reed Academy, which will be a fine and performing arts academy for grades 6-8;

• Renovation or reconstruction of Pershing, currently a K-8 school;

• Storm shelter gyms at six elementary schools: Cowden, Holland, Mann, Pittman, Watkins and Wilder;

• Safety and security improvements at all schools including security cameras, door and roof sensors, and protective glass film for all first-floor windows.

Friends of SPS described itself as a wide-ranging coalition of parents, educators, and civic leaders who support the mission of the state's largest district.

Formed four years ago, the group successfully advocated for passage of the $168 million bond issue in 2019, which was approved by more than 60% of voters.

The leadership from the last campaign is back. The committee will be co-chaired by Alina and Darren Lehnert, and Marshall and Winter Kinne. Tom Prater is the group's treasurer.

Both Alina Lehert and Prater are former school board members.

“Friends of SPS is a grass-roots group of people from across our community who all share a common vision: supporting and advocating for our SPS students and educators,” Alina Lehnert said in the release.

Lehnert told the News-Leader she has seen what a difference the 2019 bond issue made in the district and wanted to "continue the positive momentum.”

"I have fire in my core. When I see first-hand a child’s excitement and pride at recent ribbon-cutting events and talk with teachers who now have safer, quality learning environments, it motivates me to be resolute to advocate for all our children and teachers to have those same benefits," she said.

In the release, Winter Kinne said it was gratifying to see the level of support for the last bond issue.“We know there’s strong support for additional safety and security improvements. As an SPS parent, knowing those safety upgrades will happen at every school in the district makes me enthusiastic about voting Yes on S on April 4.”

Marshall Kinne and Tom Prater served on the Community Task Force on Facilities, a volunteer group that evaluated district facilities and recommended the size and scope of the 2019 and 2023 bond issues. That group presented a report to the school board, which had the final say in placing the questions on the ballot.

More:Hillcrest celebrates end of renovation, high school hailed as 'heartbeat' of northside

The final projects connected with the 2019 bond issue are expected to wrap up in March and include a new Jarrett Middle School and a new York Elementary. The district recently celebrated the end of a major overhaul of Hillcrest High School, which included extensive renovation and a new addition.

“The Community Task Force did an excellent job examining and prioritizing the facilities needs across the district and making recommendations to the school board as to what they felt was truly needed and what the community would support,” Prater said in the release.

“Now we need the broader community to join the effort spearheaded by Friends of SPS to make this next phase of the plan a reality for our children across the district.”

Reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission show the committee raised $187,382 for the campaign in 2019 — based on a report in July 2019 — and more than $20,000 remained at that time. It was not immediately clear how much has been raised this year because the campaign reports are not yet due.

During the campaign for the last bond issue, Friends of SPS sent mailers to voters, purchased yard signs and paid for brochures. Volunteers with the group also sent speakers to talk to different community groups and advocate for the bond issue.

"To date, we have over 70 speaking engagements scheduled leading up to April 4 and are adding to that list every day," Lehnert told the News-Leader.

"Our community — civic groups, neighborhood associations, parent groups and businesses — are eager to learn about the needs that exist and how they can help support our children and teachers."

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For more than 20 years, campaign committees have formed to publicly advocate for passage of school bond issues and tax levy increases. The groups, which report donations and spending to the Missouri Ethics Commission, can go further than school district officials, who may provide information and answer questions about school ballot issues but cannot actively campaign for passage.

The co-chairs of Friends of SPS said anyone interested in getting involved in the #YESonS campaign in support of the 2023 bond can visit www.friendsofsps.org or email info@friendsofsps.org.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 'Friends of SPS' launch campaign to pass $220M bond issue in April