Contentious is a word that could describe Springfield Public Schools board meetings in recent months, as members continually debate policy and decisions related to COVID-19. Two weeks ago – on Feb. 2 – at his last meeting, former board president Scott McFarland told the board it needed “a lot of work on board governance.” That was after member Micah Miller questioned the superintendent on transparency over COVID-19 data, and referred to an internal email that referenced a sleepover with high school students where people apparently caught the virus. McFarland scolded Miller. “All you’re doing is bringing these people out and dragging them across the field because you want to make a point and it’s despicable. Period,” McFarland said. But McFarland has taken a job in another state and he resigned, as planned, that night. On Tuesday, Feb. 16, Sarah Blissett, a parent of District 186 students, was appointed to his spot. Former vice president Tony Mares filled the president post. “I feel strongly the board is in a better position moving forward, and I just really wanted that to be a part of the public record for this meeting,” Miller said at the meeting Tuesday.
This article appears in The Big Read.
