Recap of WTP Christian County March Meeting

Library News
We are pleased to announce that 24 individuals have applied for the position of Executive Director at the Christian County Library. Additionally, we are pleased to confirm that the Christian County Library is no longer affiliated with the American Library Association or the Missouri Library Association.

A Library Bylaws Committee is currently being formed, as well as a Funding Library Committee. The current library budget exceeds $4 million.

The next Library Board meeting is scheduled for March 26th at 6:00 PM at the Nixa Branch.

Ballot Initiatives & Elections
A ballot initiative concerning local ambulance services has been presented, but the language is unclear. A YES vote on this initiative could result in increased taxes, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable members of our community. Our recommendation is a NO vote.

Election Day is April 8th. We encourage everyone to text or email at least five people, urging them to vote NO on the ballot initiatives. NO MORE TAXES!

School Board Candidates
Below are details regarding school board candidates who have spoken or provided statements:

• Mary Adams spoke on behalf of Sarah Orr(Ozark School Board Candidate), who could not attend. Sarah Orr stated via written statement that she did not vote for mixed-gender restrooms and supports a conservative approach to school administration. She prioritizes student protection and opposes progressive influences in education.
• RaeAnn Wade (Ozark School Board Candidate) is a mother of six, with three Ozark graduates and three children still in the district. She has volunteered 10,000 hours assisting teachers. Having been asked to run before, she now feels the time is right to serve on the board.
• Ashton Fister (Nixa School Board Candidate) has been in the district for 14 years, with one child graduated and another in 8th grade. She has worked as a substitute teacher and in the counselor’s office. She prioritizes communication, transparency, and advocacy for students and teachers at the legislative level.
• Jonathan Lindsay (Nixa School Board Candidate) has lived in Springfield for 10 years and has two daughters in Nixa schools. He is an accountant of 20 years, and his wife is a permanent substitute teacher. A man of faith, he believes in listening and learning, transparency in budgeting, and collaboration with community leaders.
• Julie Powell (Clever School Board Candidate) has been married for 20 years and has two children. Clever recently passed a $16 million bond and she supported this action. She has served on the Parent-Teacher Organization and is focused on ensuring that inappropriate materials, including pornography, are not accessible to children in school libraries.
• Bridget Biddinger (Nixa School Board Candidate) is a current board member. She emphasizes local control over education and maintaining Nixa’s community values. During her tenure, library policies were revised to prevent the purchase of inappropriate materials. She supports stricter school discipline, classroom cell phone bans, and student safety policies in bathrooms and locker rooms.
• Wade Wheeler (Ozark School Board Candidate), a conservative candidate, is concerned about teacher terminations, school board accountability, and financial transparency. He believes in defining biological sex policies, increasing parental involvement, and ensuring that board meetings are properly recorded. He also noted a $23 million budget increase in the Ozark School District without taxpayer refunds as required by the Hancock Amendment.

Community Concerns
Audience members raised concerns about Social Emotional Learning (SEL) programs and their potential ideological impact on students. The discussion also included inquiries regarding removing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives from the curriculum, following mandates from President Trump’s previous policies.

To see if candidates are responsive to the community, check out our voter guide ;Voter Guide School Boards

Stay engaged and informed!

Monday, April 7th, 6PM, Baked Bean is the April WTP Christian County meeting. Guest speakers: Operation SOAP and Citizen who lives on Holder Road to share about the potenial closure of Holder Road. Bring a friend! 

Mark your calendars for Election Day on April 8th!