SPRINGFIELD – Superintendent Todd Hamilton has resigned from Springfield Public Schools, as announced during Monday’s school board meeting.
This news comes after a series of recent challenges in the district, including the previously announced resignation of the assistant superintendent at the end of the school year, a recall petition targeting three board members, a tort claim being filed against board members, and the resignation of the board chair on Feb. 5.
Approximately 50 people attended the meeting in person, while another 75 tuned in online. There was a moment of silence when board member Ken Kohl revealed the resignation, with audible yelps of “What?” and “Wow” following. Hamilton was absent from the Feb. 9 meeting.
Hamilton has been the SPS superintendent since March 11, 2019. Before that, Hamilton served as the superintendent for the Creswell School District. The position is now vacant amid an already tense political climate for the board and district.
The Chronicle requested a copy of Hamilton’s resignation letter.
“I don’t have reason to believe there is one at this point,” said Brian Richardson, communications director.
When Kohl announced Hamilton’s resignation, the board approved delegating authority to the chair to negotiate and execute the resignation agreement.
Collins resignation
Meanwhile, assistant superintendent David Collins, who sent in his resignation in late August 2025, plans his last day to be effective June 30, 2026. In his resignation letter, Collins said his resignation is the result of a board member’s actions related to a formal public complaint concerning the conduct of the then-board chair – and newly appointed board chair – Jonathan Light.
These alleged violations include interference in a complaint process with the Oregon Department of Education, unauthorized communication with ODE staff, failure to inform the Superintendent and Board of important details, improper use of district resources and his position, and possible violations of Oregon’s Public Meetings Law.
“After bringing forward concerns in good faith, I feel that I am being subjected to intentional retaliation and intimidation tactics through a board member’s action to disseminate privileged and confidential information prior to school board action,” Collins wrote in his letter. “This information appeared on the Community Alliance for Public Education’s Facebook page. This agency posted specific information related to this complaint to their 700-plus followers and encouraged attendance at the upcoming Board Special Meeting in support of Director Light and to influence school board action by making clear to ‘district administration and the other members of the school board that the public is watching.’”
Collins stated that he “cannot continue in a system where serious breaches of conduct are ignored, whistleblowers are retaliated against, and trust in leadership is compromised.”
Springfield-Schools-Collins-Resignation-Letter-C1909Hamilton, Collins suing board
Hamilton and Collins filed a tort claim against the district in December 2025, alleging defamation, retaliation, and violations of whistleblower protection by board members Amber Langworthy, Kohl, and Light. The district does not comment on pending litigation.
The tort claim notice issued by Thenell Law Group on Dec. 16 states that, in August 2025, Hamilton and Collins submitted a formal written complaint to the Springfield Public Schools Board of Directors alleging misconduct.
According to the claim, the actions stem from a “broader continuing pattern of retaliation that began in 2021 when Jonathan Light returned to the board,” resulting in “retaliation, false light, defamation, and unlawful employment practices.”
Springfield-Schools-Hamilton-Collins-Tort-Claim-C1909Quaas-Annsa resigns
Former board chair Heather Quaas-Annsa announced her resignation on Feb. 5, and the board declared her vacancy on Monday, Feb. 9. She has served on the board since August 2024.
Quaas-Annsa was one of the board members who voted in favor of the district’s mid-year layoff of 27 teachers last month, which put her on the list, along with board members Nicole De Graff and Kohl, of a recall petition circulating in the community.
Quaas-Annsa cited harassment and threats following her voting position.
“I would just like to say how much I’m disappointed that director Quaas-Annsa chose to resign, how much I appreciated her work and valued her role on the board, and what she does for the community and her life,” Kohl said. “I’m saddened that she chose to resign, but I want to thank her for her service.”
Light shared his optimism for a new board member.
“I’m excited for the potential line ahead of us with the new board members coming in,” he said. “I’m sorry that Heather resigned, but we’ll hopefully entertain a great pool of candidates and work our way through the process, and within a month exactly, we’ll have a new board member appointed.”
Quaas-Annsa’s resignation letter reads:
“This decision has not been made lightly. I accepted this role with a sincere commitment to public service, student well-being, and ethical governance. However, the conditions surrounding my service have become untenable and, quite frankly, unsafe.
“I have experienced escalating threats to my personal safety connected to my service, as well as persistent misinformation and false narratives that have undermined my professional credibility.
“Most importantly, the current environment is affecting my family. My children have expressed fear and distress related to my role due to hostile statements and threatening behavior by members of the public and their peers. I cannot continue in a position that compromises their sense of safety and well-being.
“While I will no longer serve on the Board, I will continue to advocate for safe and inclusive schools, ethical governance, and adequate funding for public education. I urge our community to engage in ways that are peaceful, lawful, and respectful. Showing up, organizing, providing public comment, and advocating for stronger policies and funding at the state and federal levels are legitimate and important democratic actions. Violence, harassment, intimidation, threats, and property damage are not. I ask students, staff, families, and community members to de-escalate, respect boundaries, and choose constructive civic engagement grounded in care for our schools and one another.
“Our students deserve nothing less.”
Light appointed chair
Following the declaration of chair vacancy, Langworthy nominated Light to assume the position. De Graff questioned the board’s legal position regarding Light’s appointment, given the tort claim against the board that specifically names Light.
“Since the board has previously taken action related to conduct issues, what legal risk does a district assume by elevating the same member to be chair again?” De Graff asked. “And the other question I have is, since you’re nominating, since the chair has additional authority over meeting, conduct, agenda setting, and interacting with admin and council, what safeguards are in place to prevent recurrence of those same kinds of issues?”
Light, with over 20 years of board experience, previously served as chair before being removed last November due to alleged misconduct. It is reported that investigators found Light and Kohl responsible for contacting the Oregon Department of Education about district matters without board approval, and Light allegedly leaked confidential information last year.
On Nov. 4, SPS released a statement saying the board voted to censure Light. Additionally, the board also voted to remove Light from his position as board chair, require him to reaffirm his oath of office and legal obligations as a board member, and complete governance training.”
Kohl asked if De Graff’s questions should be directed to legal counsel or if they were intended for Langworthy.
“I’m asking you as the board, because you’re nominating him,” De Graff said.
Light stepped in, saying, “I’m not sure that discussion is germane to the-” he said before being cut off by De Graff.
“It’s very germane,” she said. “Okay, for the record, those questions remain unanswered. Call the vote.”
Light was elected for the position, with De Graff being the only “no” vote.
