SPRINGFIELD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ENDORSED CANDIDATE
VOTE APRIL 5
CHAD COURTNEY
2022 SPRINGFIELD R-12 BOARD OF EDUCATION
Leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room. Leadership is about making difficult, data-driven decisions that will improve student achievement.
Why Vote For Chad Courtney
Springfield R-12 Board of Education
As an attorney and engaged community volunteer, Chad Courtney has the financial and leadership skills to hold district administration accountable.
CHAD COURTNEY
A LEADER WITH THE RIGHT SKILLS
Accelerate Student Achievement
“We owe our students a cohesive response plan to overcome lost time in the classroom. We need accessible data and benchmarks for student performance that are shared consistently with taxpayers in the district.”
Ready for Career Success
“As a small business owner and community volunteer leader, I understand the connection between a strong public school system and a growing economy. There are many paths to career success and high-paying jobs for students. Whether it is a traditional four-year degree or a short term training program for in-demand skills, we need to make certain SPS graduates are ready for their path to a prosperous future.”
Responsible Resource Management
“I have the budget and finance skills needed to ensure wise allocation of taxpayer dollars. From evaluating our investments in school buildings,
to academic resources that bolster student performance, I will approach every decision with accountability and student success in mind.”
SELECT TESTIMONIALS
CHAD FOR SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL BOARD
ALL VOICES WILL BE HEARD
Chad is an independent thinker and exactly who we need on the school board. His experience as a mediator ensures that even when there is disagreement, all voices will be heard and the process will be constructive without being divisive. Chad won’t be driven by ego or publicity – he will be the adult in the room who puts kids first and uses data to make the best decisions on behalf of students and teachers.”
Dr. Tom Prater: physician and past board member of Springfield Public Schools
SELFESSNESS, CLEAR VISION OF STUDENT NEEDS
“I have recognized that the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has openly endorsed my friend Chad Courtney for election to a representative position on the Springfield School Board. In those many years in which I have known Chad, I have recognized his characteristic selflessness to contribute quality time dedicated to those most in need of his personal and professional insights. As a longtime educator, I am likewise aware of the continued necessity of having school board members who have a clear vision of student needs along with a positive, firm conviction of the essential role of educators and the educational process within our community. As a father of three Springfield Public School students, he has had his finger on the pulse of the local arena of education. I have never noticed any ego driven motive in Chad Courtney’s style; he possesses excellent communication skills, poise and leadership qualities. He has always had a readiness to assume the role of leadership and value group success over individual accolades. He is a dedicated individual who will never take a shortcut in his pursuit of excellence. Chad’s membership within any organization will better that organization. It is rare that I endorse a candidate for public office; I’ve never done this, yet, I am excited to have this initial opportunity to support Chad and his family.”
Nick Russo
Owner of St. Michael’s Restaurant and
High School Teacher
COMMITMENT, UNDERSTANDING, PASSION
“I have had the privilege of working with Chad Courtney for over the past decade. I have enjoyed that relationship and I would summarize it in three ways. First, is commitment. I have found that if Chad makes a commitment, he will do everything within his power to fulfill his responsibility. He accepts full accountability for his role and does whatever it takes to be successful. Second, is his understanding of the community. Chad knows and understands the people of Springfield. He has volunteered in many ways over the years to support the community and its needs. Whether working out front or behind the scenes, he is willing to do whatever it takes to be successful. And third, is passion. If you want someone on your team who is filled with energy and enthusiasm, it is Chad! If he believes in what you are doing, he is going to be the best cheerleader, the best contributor, and the best worker to accomplish the task at hand. I had the privilege of serving on a local school board for 12 years and I now have a daughter who serves. I know what it takes to fill that role. Chad has the ability to serve and be an exemplary school board member.”
Jerald Andrews
CEO and Executive Director Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
Price Cutter Charity Championship
Honest, Kind, Friendly
“I have known Chad since our, now college aged children, were teensy. We have spent thousands of hours together on sidelines for sporting events for our kids cheering, and even sometimes taking the reigns and coaching. I feel confident in my assessment of Chad, as a friend, a parent, a lawyer, and most importantly for this school board election , as a superior community member and citizen of our great city of Springfield. Chad is honest, kind, and friendly. He is supportive of many different clubs, groups and boards in our community, from Boy Scouts to soccer clubs, to Sunrise Rotary Club.
Chad is smart, level headed and is a hard worker who enjoys giving his time and talent to volunteer opportunities in our community. He would make a great school board member and I encourage you all to cast your vote for Chad Courtney for school board. “
Jill Patterson
Former SPS Board Member
PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT WITH OUR SCHOOLS
“We support Chad Courtney for the Springfield School Board. As a long time resident of the city, Chad has been there for Springfield. He brings a personal involvement in our schools as a father of three Springfield Public School students. His children have provided Chad the opportunity to be involved in extracurricular activities, from sports to music. Chad actively participates in parent and support groups and even volunteered as an announcer at the Central and Kickapoo High soccer games. Chad is an active leader in Scouting and served on the Board of Mighty Mites football. He is an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Chad is as an attorney who regularly deals with families and children. In these often difficult situations, he provides for the best interest of our children. This experience extends his understanding of diverse student’s needs. His common sense approach and calm manner will add a non-adversarial strength on the Board. Chad desires to support all our children, faculty, and staff in providing excellent educational opportunities.
Chad is a friend and I know he will be a voice of reason and care for our school district and community. Please support Chad Courtney for School Board.”
Charrie Dixon, Retired Springfield Public School Educator
Cathy Hodgson, Ed.D
CHAD COURTNEY
PROVEN EXPERIENCE
I feel that I am the most qualified candidate running this year. I am a parent, attorney, homeowner, business owner, and citizen who desires to put in the work necessary to see our schools succeed. In addition to meeting all the statutory requirements to run for school board, my family has made Springfield our home for over two decades.
I love the city of Springfield. It has everything a family with young children could desire for their children to experience while growing up and attending school here. My family decided to remain in Springfield right before my oldest started kindergarten, specifically because of the Springfield public school system and the quality of education we expected all three of our children to receive. We have not been disappointed.
The educational experience all three of my children have had has exceeded our expectations. Further, across the experiences of my three children, I have interacted with nine different programs/buildings in the SPS system; Disney Elementary, Horace Mann Elementary- Reverse Mainstream, Cherokee Middle School, WINGS program at Phelps, Central Scholars, WOLF at Bass Pro, Health Sciences Academy, Kickapoo, and Central. These experiences provide me with a diverse, first-hand understanding of varying approaches to learning on the program, staff, and administrative levels.
I serve/have served on several boards involving programming for children, which has allowed me to gain the board level experience I feel is necessary to guide the largest school district in Missouri.
Chad Courtney
Education
- Stewartsville C-II High School Stewartsville, MO – Graduation May 1992
- University of Missouri-Columbia – B.A. Political Science, B.A. Sociology May 1996
- University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law – J.D. May 1999
Career Summary
- Courtney & Mills, LLC law firm owner/partner – September 2006 to Present
- Franke, Schultz & Mullen, P.C – associate attorney – June 2000 to September 2006
- Johnson & Johnson, LLC – associate attorney – September 1999 to June 2000
Civic Activities
- Missouri Bar – Family Law Section Chair 2018 – 2021
- Missouri Bar – Family Law Section Vice-Chair 2017, 2018
- Missouri Bar – Family Law Conference Planning Co-Chair 2019 to 2021
- Missouri Bar – Family Law Conference Planning Committee 2014 – present
- Sunrise Rotary Club of Springfield – 2019 to present
- BSA Scouts Troop 235 – Troop committee Advancement chair – 2015-present
Civic Activities Continued
- Mizzou Alumni Association – Greater Ozarks Chapter – Board Member 2000-present
- President 2011-2015
- Vice-President 2010-2011
- Booster of the Year 2018
- Golf Tournament Scholarship Committee 2000 to present
- Westminster Presbyterian Church Session Board Member 2006-2008
- Mighty Mites Football Board Member – 2013 to 2017
- Springfield Ballet Board – 2000-2006 – President 2006
- FC Legacy Soccer Club – Board Member 2014-2018 – Secretary
- Founder member of Branson Shootout Futsal Tournament
- Kickapoo Boys Soccer Boosters- 2018-2021 – Vice-President ‘20, President ‘21
- Central Girls Soccer Boosters 2017-2020 – President 2019, 2020
- University of Missouri Extension Council Member at Large Greene County – 2019 present
“As an SPS parent, attorney, and business owner, I have the leadership skills needed to focus on decision-making that will result in stronger schools, stronger student performance, and a stronger community. I ask for your vote for Springfield Public Schools’ Board of Education on April 5.”
– Chad Courtney
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce ENDORSED CANDIDATE
MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE
– Elizabeth Wente, Spencer Fane law firm
Chair of the Springfield Area Chamber School Board Endorsement Task Force
[Source: Springfield News-Leader, February 23, 2022]
“From a business perspective, it is vital to have an endorsement process designed to identify the most qualified candidates. This is the state’s largest school district and highly complex in its operations. Board members must be prepared to lead on day one. The board has endorsed Chad Courtney and Charles Taylor based on their level of board governance experience and financial acumen, and their understanding of the relationship between education, the business community and preparing our students for career success – hopefully, someday, in our own community.”
– Brian Hammons, Hammons Products Co.
Springfield Area Chamber Board and School Board Endorsement Task Force
[Source: Springfield News-Leader, February 23, 2022]
Paid for by Committee to Elect Chad T. Courtney. Richard K. Pogue, Treasurer
Contact me at: chad@chad4sps.com