Most of the school districts in and around Springfield are pretty good. SPS pays the best, but it is not the best district to work in. It's not bad, most of the others on the area are just better. I have heard some stories about Willard not being great, but I know a lot of teachers from the area and not many have bad things to say about their districts. There are a lot very close to Springfield if you do not end up in SPS. Missouri teacher retirement is pretty awesome. I think Marshfield is the closest to Springfield with a four-day week.