SPS board brings back veteran to fill vacancy

Last edited 2:17 p.m., Nov. 18, 2015

The Springfield Public Schools Board of Education yesterday voted to bring back a veteran of the governing body to fill a vacancy.

Former Greene County Assessor Jean Twitty was sworn in yesterday, according to a news release.

“Jean’s past experience on this board will allow us to continue to function at a high level, and we appreciate her willingness to step back in to once again serve the students of Springfield until the election in April,” board President Denise Fredrick said in the release. “In addition to Jean’s expertise, we believe the fact that she has previously been elected by Springfield voters to represent them on the school board makes her the best candidate to fill this vacancy.”

Twitty served six years on the board until 2013.

She will fill the seat left vacant by Francine Pratt, who resigned in October to return to California to take care of her father. Elected in April, Pratt would have served until 2021.

Twitty is scheduled to serve in the seat until the April board election, when board members will choose a candidate to fill the remaining five years of Pratt’s term.

The board received 19 applications for Pratt’s seat and narrowed it down to three: Twitty, Matthew Simpson and Melissa Penkalski.