Superintendent Norm Ridder will be honored with the 2013 Missourian Award Saturday, Aug. 10, during a ceremony at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. He is one of 14 individuals receiving the award.

The Missourian Award is a prestigious honor that acknowledges Missouri's most accomplished citizens. It was created in 1994 by Ralph Slavens to recognize outstanding Missourians who have had a positive impact on their community and on the state's vitality.

Previous award winners include Walter Cronkite, Harry S Truman and John Q. Hammons.

Joining Dr. Ridder among the 2013 Missourian Award winners are Robert Beine, Cheryl Burnett, James Leon Combs, Charles M. Edwards, Rudy E. Farber, Timothy Harlan, Dwayne A. Holden, Dr. C.J. Huff, Dr. Bharat Shah, Tom Smith, Erick Taylor, Glenna Wallace and Mike Williamson.

This school year will be Superintendent Norm Ridder's last at the helm of Springfield Public Schools. He recently notified the school board that he plans to conclude his tenure by June 30, 2014, although his current contract runs through June 30, 2015.

"I have had a wonderful experience with this community, its students and our staff, and together we have shared many accomplishments," Dr. Ridder said. "Now, it is time for me to consider new opportunities and take on a new challenge."

School board president Kris Callen announced Dr. Ridder's decision at the Aug. 6 school board meeting. "His steady leadership has positioned SPS as a leader in education by embedding innovation and continuous improvement in all that we do," she said.

Dr. Ridder was hired as SPS' 13th superintendent in July 2005. During his tenure, it was obvious that supporting students and teachers was his priority, Callen said. "Dr. Ridder advocated tirelessly to ensure that students and teachers received the resources they needed to be successful in the classroom," she explained.

Callen pointed to a few examples as evidence of his dedication:

• Approval in April of a tax levy increase to fund much-needed support staff like counselors, nurses and behavior technicians.
• Patron approval of more than $240 million in bonds to fund facility improvements, including air conditioning all schools.
• Persistence to graduation efforts which led to improving the district's graduation rate.
• Implementation of the Springfield Learning Model, which used community input to define the critical skills students need to succeed in the 21st century and developed instructional strategies to foster those skills.
• Creation of Kids First Committee, which identifies students needs and organizes community organizations to address those needs.

Callen said the school board will soon begin the search process to hire a new superintendent.

"Dr. Ridder is leaving our district in a favorable position. It will be our challenge now to find an able successor to build on that and lead Springfield Public Schools toward a new level of excellence," Callen said.

CHS Chamber Choir receives third invitation to perform at conference

The Central High School Chamber Choir has been selected to perform for the Missouri Music Educators Conference at Tan-Tar-A in January.

Choirs across the state of Missouri submitted entries to an out-of-state committee for judging. Only six choirs were selected. The CHS Chamber Choir has received this honor previously in 1976 and in 2006.

The recordings which won this honor were performed by the 2012-2013 choir.

Wednesday, Aug. 14, is first day of school for 2013-2014 school year

Students who attend Springfield Public Schools will begin the new school year on Wednesday, Aug. 14.  Additional back-to-school information is available here.