School board: Simpson and Smith vie for 1-year term while McGrew and Crane are unopposed to stay on

Voters in the Webb City R-7 School District on Tuesday will elect one new school board member and re-elect two others.

Incumbent board members Stephen Crane and Dan McGrew are unopposed for reelection to new three-year terms.

A one-year opening on the board occurred when Jeanne Newby resigned without completing her term.

Austin Simpson and Scott Smith are vying to complete Newby’s term, which will end in April 2026.

Both candidates completed a questionnaire sent to them by the Sentinel.

Why are you running? What skills/experience do you bring to the position?

Austin Simpson: I am seeking the open one-year term for the Webb City R-7 School Board, a position held by a dear family friend and champion for the district, Jeanne Newby, who recently resigned. Quite simply, I do not seek this office with an ‘axe to grind’ – I genuinely interact well with the current members of the school board and administration, and simply want to do my part in giving back to the community in continuing the great legacy of those board members before me. With a truly vested interest in the ongoing growth and success of our community as a business owner and father, I will do my best to support the growth of the district in a fiscally responsible manner.

Scott Smith: I am running for the school board because I believe deeply in our schools, our administration, and, most importantly, our students. Webb City has an excellent school district, and I want to ensure that we continue to provide the best possible education for our children. As a parent and community member, I want to contribute to the success of our schools and be an advocate for students, teachers, and families. I respect the progress that has been made and want to bring fresh energy and a deep commitment to continue building on that strong foundation.

I believe having parents on the school board is critical. Parents bring a unique perspective – one that balances fiscal responsibility with firsthand knowledge of how policies affect students and teachers.

I bring both leadership and community engagement experience to this role. As a pastor for 12 years, I am in the people business. I have dedicated my life to listening, caring, and leading. I understand the importance of collaboration, communication, and decision-making that serves the best interests of the community. One of the strengths I bring to this role is that I am in the people business.

My academic background – earning a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and a doctor of ministry degree – has given me a deep appreciation for education. Additionally, my experience as a parent of two Webb City students and my involvement in multiple schools through volunteering and attending board meetings have given me firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities in our district.

I am not running for this position for personal gain or political ambition. I am running because I care deeply about our schools, our students, and our community. I want to see our district continue to thrive, to give our kids the best education possible, and to make sure that every decision we make is one that benefits both our children and our community as a whole.

What are the issues of the election as you see them?

Austin Simpson: I believe I speak for the great majority of the community when I say that we want the Webb City School District to not only instruct students of the basics, but to prepare our children for tomorrow’s real-world. Through high achievement in test scores, to a 98% Highway Patrol bus inspection score, we have a great team working to improve the district each and every day. To accomplish our desire for the district, there are several challenges the school board must face:

A – Preparing students for the world we live in – as it continues to change. Computer skills and artificial intelligence are everyday realities – I am dedicated to supporting initiatives that equip students for real-world success in a fiscally responsible manner.

B – A need for enhanced safety & security. I am committed to supporting initiatives that provide continued progress in safety standards in concert with local law enforcement. Quite simply, our community not only expects, but demands our school system has systems in place that will  protect our students, staff and visitors – both internally and externally.

C – I will advocate for the long-term needs of the district ahead of time. I believe that proactiveness promotes growth, and conversely that reactivity produces retraction. As the district continues to grow, I plan to support initiatives that will allow an increase in capacity in a responsible manner. A growing school district means a growing economy, for the betterment of taxpayers.

Scott Smith: There are several key challenges facing our schools:

• Teacher support: Since COVID, there have been additional challenges that have made the job of teaching even more difficult. Teachers are dealing with students who are harder to manage, who have a greater sense of entitlement, and who are struggling with the structure and discipline necessary for learning. On top of that, legislative changes often make it even more difficult for educators to do their jobs effectively. I want to be a strong advocate for our teachers – ensuring that when learning and the educational process are impeded, we take action to support those on the front lines of our schools.

• Policy challenges: Some current state-level policies passed by legislature make it difficult for educators to address disruptive behavior effectively.

• Fiscal responsibility & growth: Our district has a history of thoughtful financial management, and I want to ensure that we continue making wise budgetary decisions that benefit students, teachers, and taxpayers alike.

I propose:

• Continued teacher advocacy: I want to ensure our teachers have the support, resources, and policies they need to be effective.

• Community engagement: As a school board member, I will be actively involved, visible, and accessible –listening to teachers, students, and parents to ensure their voices are heard in board discussions.

How are you involved in the community?

Austin Simpson: As a life-long resident of Webb City, I have had the opportunity to meet a great many of our community members. As a student in the school district, to a funeral director in our community, I have had the privilege of being served by a great community of faculty and staff, and the opportunity to give back in service to our community during life’s most difficult moments. In addition to being the third generation owner of Simpson Funeral Home, I have previously served on various boards, including the Webb City Area Chamber of Commerce and BluCurrent Credit Union.

Scott Smith: I have lived in Webb City for 15 years, making it my home with my wife, Mary Jo, and our two children.

My wife has worked in local schools as an educator and is currently a library aide at Webster Primary.

I serve as the Pastor of Wellspring Church in Webb City and have been in this role for 12 years. Wellspring is a Webb City Cares faith-based partner with two elementary schools – Webster Primary and Eugene Field. Through this partnership, I have been able to volunteer in the buildings over the last 10 years.

I have been on the Webb City Cares Advisory board since its beginning.

Over the last year, I have attended multiple school board meetings and visited/volunteered in five schools in the district.

I am committed to listening to the concerns of families and working to make Webb City Schools even stronger.