Springfield Public Schools Candidate Survey

The Springfield Board of Education asked 21 local legislative candidates to fill out surveys focusing on issues dealing with education.

The Board received just five surveys back from the 21 total candidates. A sixth survey was sent back, but without a name. Rep. Bob Dixon (#140th district) was one of the five who responded, but he did so with a different survey, which will be published in a separate post.

The following is a review of the candidates who responded to the survey and their answers to the questions, as provided by the Springfield Board of Education.

1. What is your position on tax credits?

Barbie Kreider-Adams (D), State Senate, District 20 - DO NOT SUPPORT
"I believe in the separation of church and state."

Keith Rodgers (L), State House, #134th District - SUPPORT
"Competition would improve government run schools."

Rep. Sara Lampe (D), State House, #138th District - DO NOT SUPPORT

Rep. B.J. Marsh (R), State House, #136th District - DO NOT SUPPORT
"I do not support the transfer of public funds as defined by the courts to private schools."

2. What is your position on the 65% solution?

Kreider-Adams - DO NOT SUPPORT
"I believe in local control."

Rodgers - DO NOT SUPPORT
"There is no one size fits all solution."

Lampe - DO NOT SUPPORT

Marsh - DO NOT SUPPORT

3. What is your position on open enrollment?

Kreider-Adams - DO NOT SUPPORT
"I believe in the neighborhood school. They should never be closed."

Rodgers - SUPPORT

Lampe - SUPPORT

Marsh - DO NOT SUPPORT
"I would only support it within a district, not statewide."

4. What is your position on the school start date?

Kreider-Adams - SUPPORT
"I believe all schools (public) should be required to start after Labor Day, especially those without air conditioning."

Rodgers - SUPPORT

Lampe - UNDECIDED
"I would need to hear more about pros and cons from a school point of view."

Marsh - NO ANSWER
"Local control is the best way."

5. What is your position on TIF (tax increment financing)?

Kreider-Adams - DO NOT SUPPORT
"I do not believe in corporate welfare."

Rodgers - SUPPORT

Lampe - SUPPORT
"If used for the greater good of the community and not personal profit."

Marsh - NO ANSWER
"Need to restrict TIF so it is not a burden on schools."

6. What is your position on TABOR (Taxpayers Bill of Rights)?

Kreider-Adams - DO NOT SUPPORT

Rodgers - SUPPORT
"Taxpayers should have more to say in how their money is spend or misspent."

Lampe - DO NOT SUPPORT

Marsh - DO NOT SUPPORT

7. What is your position on the motor fuel tax exemption?

Kreider-Adams - NO ANSWER
"I do not understand this vague question. I believe farmers should be exempt. I believe public schools should be exempt."

Rodgers - DO NOT SUPPORT
"No special tax breaks, for anyone."

Lampe - SUPPORT

Marsh - SUPPORT