As a lifelong resident of Springfield, I want to express my concern for Springfield Public Schools. The legacy of this school district has been one of cooperation and problem solving. And the culture in the past has been one of a receptive administration that listens to parents and staff and works together to address concerns and work toward solutions. 

The stakeholders today – families, students and staff – are not experiencing these shared goals. There is widespread concern and a belief that cooperation is lacking at this time. The community is speaking. 

The district administration seems unwilling to address the real issues of a balanced curriculum, staff morale and declining enrollment.

We teach students to respect and listen to each other. We teach them to seek understanding and work toward compromise and resolution. If we expect this process with young people, we can expect no less from our leadership.

The administration spent $35,000 of taxpayer money because administrators filed formal complaints against board members, instead of continuing the hard work of sitting together and talking to each other to come to a resolution.

I and others are asking for a reconsideration of the messages and actions coming from this administration. We ask for a willingness to lead with integrity, kindness and compassion for one another and for the people they serve. A wise school superintendent once said that compassionate straight talk and servant leadership is a successful model for leadership in our school district. This is how we build the culture to which we aspire.

Linda Burke 
Springfield