A financial incentive to attract teachers was approved by the Mexico Public Schools Board of Education at its March 18 meeting.

The board approved a $2,000 stipend for students who complete their student teaching within the district. 

Amber Henderson, director of human resources, said the idea grew out of retention and recruitment efforts.

“As we know, everybody in the state - everybody in the nation - is having trouble hiring teachers,” she said. “One of those things that Columbia has started and I think that will trickle down to the smaller districts around Columbia is paying their student teachers. So this year, I think we have three student teachers, and next year, I know we’re having at least two, and we would like to look at some colleges and partnering with them to get more of those people to come to our school district.”

Henderson explained that if a teacher comes back to teach in Mexico after doing the student teaching here the previous year and earning their degree, he or she would start on step two of the salary schedule rather than step one in their first year; the student teaching year would be considered step one. They would receive their $2,000 stipend during their student teaching here, likely after they complete their student teaching.

 Superintendent Troy Lentz said he was “pretty excited” about the incentive.  

“I think we want to give people a reason to choose Mexico,” he said.

Also at the meeting, the board approved $42,700 for the starting teacher salary as well as returning teachers getting a longevity step for $550 a step. Lentz said March 19, during a discussion with the Ledger, that the district can try to recruit teachers by offering a competitive salary, a positive climate and culture and provide support for teachers regarding student discipline issues.

The board tabled a proposal to offer full-time preschool for children of all Mexico Public Schools certified and support staff. Currently, full-time slots are limited to the staff of McMillan Early Learning Center, the board agenda stated. Trustees asked for more information on participation, such as how many additional staffers would have to be hired and the number of students involved. Lentz told the Ledger it would probably be support staff that would have to be hired.

Among other developments, the board:

• Rejected a proposal from a school board candidate, Julia Lindsay, to use Hawthorne Elementary School for a town hall meeting in late March so that people could meet the candidates. Lindsay said, though, she didn’t get an opportunity to invite the other candidates. The vote was 5-0-2, with board members Scott Nichols and Chris Williams abstaining. The district does not rent school facilities for political campaign activities, and the board opted to not allow district facilities to be used for town halls or political forums. Board President Jessica Ekern said the board and schools need to stay neutral when it comes to politics.  
• Approved health benefits as presented at a rate of $709.23 per month per employee who qualifies for health insurance for the 2025-26 school year. The board agenda memo said this is a 6.7% increase in the medical insurance monthly premium for the 2025-2026 school year. 
• Approved the 2025-2026 certified staff salary schedule and the 2025-26 administrator salaries and contracts.
• Approved a memorandum of understanding with Zenith Aircraft Company, located at Mexico Memorial Airport, for a paid summer internship opportunity to two students with an interest in aviation. The paid internship will be covered by a U.S. Department of Education grant.
• Approved a change order for the softball field. The board agenda memo stated a proof rolling observation report was completed by a third party at the advice of the district contractor, Byrne & Jones Construction. A loaded dump truck made multiple passes through the softball field site. The proof roll failed, and to continue construction, soil stabilization is needed. The cost is $62,090. A proof roll is an evaluation of subgrade layers prior to the installation of overlying top layers.
• Approved two temporary construction easements at Hawthorne Elementary and Mexico High School to the city of Mexico. A board agenda memo stated the temporary easements will provide for construction of improvements as part of the city’s Stormwater Improvements Project along Wade Street near Hawthorne Elementary and the high school.