Thirteen Apply for Springfield School Board Seat Vacated by Director Heather Quaas-Annsa

Thirteen applicants have submitted materials for Position 2 on the Springfield Public Schools Board of Directors, the seat left open after Director Heather Quaas-Annsa resigned Feb. 5, citing concerns about her and her family's well-being amid what the district described as controversy, a flurry of complaints, a recall petition and mid-year layoffs. The board formally declared the vacancy Feb. 9 in accordance with Policy BBC.

Quaas-Annsa had been appointed in September 2024 to fill the vacancy created by Emilio Hernandez's resignation and then won the seat in May 2025. Register‑Guard reporting noted she is the third board member to resign in the past 18 months, a turnover trend that leaves the board scrambling to restore stability as the district approaches a special election next spring.

Springfield posted a solicitation for applicants beginning Feb. 10 after a presentation from SPS Director of Communications Brian Richardson, and the district set a 12 p.m. noon deadline of Feb. 27 for submissions. KVAL reported applicants could apply in several ways; the board received 13 applications by the Feb. 27 deadline. The number of applicants triggered board planning for candidate review and potential interviews.

Board leaders say they aim to fill the seat quickly. Newly appointed board chair Jonathan Light said, "The opportunity to move forward with a new board member, I think, is tremendous." Light also said filling the vacancy is the board's primary job right now. The board expected to interview finalists and appoint a replacement by its Monday, March 9 business meeting, and depending on applicant numbers the board had signaled it might hold a special meeting the week of March 2 to review candidates.

The appointee will serve until June 30, 2027, KVAL reported, and the unexpired term will appear on a May 2027 special election ballot so voters can choose who will complete the term through June 2029. Board rules require applicants to be legally registered voters who have lived inside the Springfield Public Schools district boundaries for at least the year prior to appointment; board members cannot be district employees and the role is unpaid.

Board member Nicole De Graff, who listened to public comment at the Feb. 9 meeting, said, "I'm really sad about Heather leaving. I thought she did a lot, she's been above and beyond." De Graff added, "I'd like to see a board member who doesn't have a personal agenda and who will be humble and open to learning and giving this process a chance." Board member Ken Kohl also expressed sadness about the resignation.

The 13 applicants, described in the district filing as a diverse mix of students, educators and professionals, now face an interview window that could conclude at the March 9 business meeting; the selected appointee will join a board that must both manage ongoing personnel and budget issues and prepare for the May 2027 special election that will determine who finishes the term through June 2029.