Mexico 59 Board of Education Update

This monthly update will be sent prior to noon the day after the board meeting.

Link to board agenda.

1. We will be student centered.
2. We will presume positive intentions and model the expectations we have for others.
3. We will keep board business to: board policies, the governance (strategic) plan, legal requirements, and the evaluation of the superintendent.
4. We will be prepared and present for meetings.
5. With items presented on the agenda, we will ask clarifying questions or request additional information at least 24 hours before a meeting. If more information is needed, questions may be asked during the meeting.
6. All agree to adhere to the chain of command and will direct others to follow the chain of command.

Jessica Ekern, Scott Nichols, Michelle Stephens, Lennette Brown, Jon Calhoun, Mathew Pilger

Absent: Chris Williams

Admin: Dr. Troy Lentz, Mrs. Julie Lower-Welch, Amber Henderson, Shelby Gaug, Marci Orr, Brad Ellebracht, Robin Friedrich, Scott Daly, Anna Richardson, Melissa Deimeke, Christina McCaw, Dawn Malone, Brandon Schafer, Mike Fernandez, Anne Billington, Mark Holman, Kyle Louder, Chris Denham, Jennifer Barnett, Katie Lehnen

Gallery: Sky Strauss (Mexico Ledger), John States (Little Dixie Construction), Steve Haag, Buck Green

Each employee receives a visit from Central Office staff, a certificate, Bulldog swag, and a $100 CD Show Me Credit Union.

Certified Staff: Delaney Heckes, Kindergarten Teacher at McMillan
Her nominating colleague shared, "Delaney is a first-year teacher who is doing incredible with her class. She makes the room comfortable and makes meaningful connections with her students."

Support Staff: DeOnna Wieberg, Admin Assistant to the Asst. Superintendent

Her nominating colleague shared, "DeOnna is a wealth of information and has been incredibly helpful with getting records straightened out and organized. Her help has been very appreciated."

Items approved in consent agenda:

• Board minutes from regular session 02/17/2026
• Bills Paid
• Treasurer's Report
• Approval of 2026 Summer School

Full Report

Community engagement (04:13). The following groups continue to be engaged: Kiwanis, Rotary, Bright Futures, and the Chamber of Commerce. Also, our winter sports teams appreciated all the community support during their postseason runs.

Facilities (04:30). See photo below for more info. Big Al’s Fencing is correcting issues with our batting cage and some fencing at the high school baseball field. ASR is being engaged on issues with the athletic complex roof

Budget (05:55). Dr. Lentz will meet with the county assessor on Thursday to discuss the impact of several changes that have occurred recently in Audrain County as well as the potential impact of senior tax credits and proposed legislation.

Summer School 2026 (07:10): We’re continuing to gear up for summer school. Site administrators submitted their hire list last week and will submit their incentive calendars and information packets this month. My office will send out hire letters to summer school staff by March 20. Our Infinite Campus manager, Nicki Robnett, and DeOnna Wieberg have been working to set up IC for student registration, which opens April 6.

Professional Development (08:05): The district held a professional development day on March 9. Elementary staff participated in their final Eureka Math² module study session, followed by a two-hour dyslexia training led by an RPDC trainer. The same trainer worked with secondary teachers earlier in the morning. Following the final module preparation session, our instructional coach, Wendy Lentz, reported that elementary teachers have received more than 30 hours of math-focused professional development this school year. The middle school held an EdCamp-style professional development session facilitated by teachers. High school staff focused on discussions and training related to school climate and culture.

Elementary Math (08:56): The focus of this month’s elementary Math Team meeting was to make decisions about updating the summer school math curriculum and realigning our grade card standards with the EMS and MLS standards. Our math teachers and instructional coaches will have afternoon release time to complete this work.

Literacy (09:40): Our elementary Literacy Team is expanding to include secondary administrators and teacher representatives as we make adjustments to meet the expectations of the required Comprehensive Literacy Plan, which must be submitted to DESE next year. At our February meeting, the team analyzed district assessment data in the area of vocabulary, established our SMART goal, and identified our first set of instructional strategies. The middle school has received approval for the first round of CLSD grant purchases for Tier 2/3 reading intervention resources, including the 95 Percent Group Adolescent Word Study program. The grant application process was complex, and Mr. Louder worked diligently with the CLSD grant coordinators to secure approval.

Federal Programs (11:00): In February, our Title I team hosted a districtwide elementary Literacy & Basketball Family Night at the MHS Sports Complex in conjunction with the varsity basketball games. We had approximately 100 families attend. Our Title I team also hosted a two-day professional development session for several teachers to deepen their understanding of the 95 Percent Group Tier 2 interventions, Vocab Surge and Comprehension 3–6.

District Assessment (11:39): State MAP & EOC testing is right around the corner. In February, we attended the annual District Test Coordinator meeting with DESE and have since created accounts for all building test coordinators in the DRC Insight portal. Each building has submitted its testing schedule, and the testing window has been set in the portal.

MHS

HCC

MEC

MMS

EF

HAW

MELC

Communications Report:

Climate & Culture Survey Results

2026 Communications Plan

Athletic Conference Invitation: (13:37) Accepted the invitation for the district to join the Midland Empire Conference for the 2027-28 school year. MEC sent a letter of support to the superintendents and activities directors at Mexico, Kirksville, Moberly, and Marshall. Each districts' board of education discussed the letter. Our board discussed and approved the conference invitation, with input from Brandon Schafer and Steve Haag. MEC will hold an in-person meeting on April 9 to take a vote on the inclusion of the schools in the conference. At this time, details and schedules are being considered; it is likely there would be an eastern division and western division. (More information will follow in the Bulldog Bulletin on Thursday.)

MHS Addition Proposal (40:08): Approved the proposal from Little Dixie Construction for the High School Building Addition and Renovation.

MHS Theater Audio/Visual Upgrades (45:20): Approved the proposal from Sound Solutions for the High School theater audio/visual upgrades.

Chromebooks (47:50): Approved the proposal from SHI for Chromebooks as presented.

Health Benefits (51:52): Approved the health benefits as presented at a rate of $729.80/month per employee that qualifies for health insurance for the 2026-2027 school year. There was a 2.9% increase. The district/board will continue to cover this plan for employees.

Salary Schedule (52:54): Approved the 2026-27 salary schedule as presented.

Administrator Salaries (01:09:29): Approved the 2026-27 Administrator salaries as presented.

Personnel (01:13:17)

Approval of March 2026 Personnel:

New hires include:

• Theresa Farnell
• Bre'Lynn James
• Janessa Crump
• Madeline Teal

Internal Transfers:

• Todd Gardner
• Stacey Vines
• Barb Lowry
• Taylor DeMint

Approval of Extra Duty Agreements:

• Shane Cox
• Kelsey Stephens
• Stacy Vines

Approval of Probationary Contracts

• Theresa Farnell
• Taylor DeMint
• Madeline Teal

Professional Contracts

• Stacy Vines

Administrative Contracts

• Julie Lower
• Kyle Louder
• Katie Lehnen
• Shannon Davolt
• Brandon Schafer
• Robin Friedrich
• Chris Denham
• Marci Orr
• Brad Ellebracht
• Scott Daly
• Anne Billington
• Michael Fernandez
• Jennifer Barnett
• Brett Davis
• Christina McCaw
• Mark Holman
• Melissa Deimeke

2026-27 Recommendation for going on Tenure Teachers

2026-27 Recommendations for Professional Teachers

Informational-only Personnel

• Retirements: Ed Costley, Donna Butts

Review of Board Meeting Start Times (01:17:19): The board discussed the time of the board meetings. The board tabled the discussion until next month.

The regular session March meeting adjourned at 6:57 PM. The next regular session meeting will be held on April 21, where the three board members will take the Oath of Office for their next term and the board can reorganize.

The best efforts are made to send this update prior to noon the day after the board meeting. These highlights are intended to offer information as a courtesy to stakeholders. This newsletter is not intended to replace board-approved minutes from the meeting. If there is something not mentioned for which you need more information, please email communications@mexico.k12.mo.us to be directed to the correct personnel. All board updates are posted to the district website.