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Cora Scott out as Springfield’s longtime chief spokesperson marks a change in the city’s public information office after 14 years in the role. Scott confirmed Saturday, Oct. 31, that she is “transitioning from” the city, but declined to say whether the departure was voluntary or involuntary.
“I am forever a champion of this community and may be able to say more when the dust settles,” Scott said in a statement to the Springfield Daily Citizen. The city had notified City Council members of the transition, according to a high-ranking city employee who spoke to the Daily Citizen anonymously. The Cora Scott out announcement leaves the circumstances undisclosed.
What Cora Scott Out Means for Springfield Communications
Scott has served as Springfield’s director of public information and civic engagement since January 2012. In that position, she has been the city’s primary point of contact for local media. The department also shares information directly with residents through multiple channels, including social media and livestreams of City Council meetings.
The department’s work extends to news releases, web materials, brochures, videos and special events, according to its webpage. A separate email from the city manager to department directors included instructions on whom to contact for the public information office, the employee told the Daily Citizen.
Scott joined the city after working at Mercy for 18 years, including as media relations manager, according to her city biography. A December 2011 press release announcing her hiring said she would be Springfield’s first public information officer with civic engagement responsibilities. She was one of 22 department heads and a member of the city’s Leadership Team.
Her public-facing role also involved helping communicate city programs and events. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Drury University. During her time with the city, Scott received the John T. Woodruff Award for support of Route 66, a 2023 Woman of Achievement Award from then-Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, and the Spirit of Missouri Award for promoting tourism.
Closed Session Scheduled for Monday
The City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session Monday, Nov. 2, at 11:30 a.m. The agenda includes discussion of hiring, firing, disciplining or promoting particular employees when personal information is discussed or recorded, under Section 610.021(3), RSMo.
The city manager and city clerk are the only positions the City Council is responsible for filling. The City Charter otherwise prohibits council members from interfering with the appointment or removal of city officers and employees. City Manager David Cameron did not immediately respond Saturday to a request for comment, and Mayor Jeff Schrag declined to comment.
Councilperson Monica Horton criticized the city’s action in a comment on her personal Facebook page, calling Scott’s departure “a terrible loss for our city.” Horton also described Scott as strongly supportive of Springfield.
For readers following women’s leadership across public and civic work, Her Forward has also covered Cori Close’s leadership recognition and a Virginia women’s leadership award. Its coverage of a survey on women’s say in strategy examines another dimension of leadership roles.
The scheduled closed session is the next listed city action concerning employees. Scott said she may be able to share more after “the dust settles.”
The Springfield Daily Citizen reported Scott’s confirmation, the city’s notices and the scheduled council session.
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