The Mexico School District’s finances are in good shape.

Superintendent Troy Lentz was happy to report that a recent audit, conducted by Graves & Associates, found the district reported all of its revenues and expenditures correctly. He presented the news to the Mexico Public Schools Board of Education at its Dec. 16 meeting.

“I’m really happy with our business department for the work they did getting all the details,” he said. “It’s one of those things where, if you manage the details and keep up with it throughout the school year, then the audit goes much smoother.”

Last year, the district was well over $4 million in revenue because of the bond. With more than 400 employees, Lentz said it’s a lot to keep track of.

“I don’t know if people really appreciate how much work it takes to get an audit done,” he added.

The reported revenues and expenditures for Mexico Public Schools are available on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website under the Annual Secretary to the Board Report.

Also at the meeting, members of the board saw sketches and renderings for the proposed secure entryway at Mexico High School.

Lentz said the new entry is one of the biggest puzzle pieces remaining from the bond work. He added that it will “really change the look” of the east side of campus, and the project is so large, it can not be done over the course of a summer.

“We’re going to be living with some disruptions on that circle drive side once we get started,” Lentz said.

Front office staff and certain administrators will be relocated to the new addition while the current high school office space will be used for support staff, guidance counselors, behavior interventionists, social workers, academic coaches and Tyronn Lue’s Commitment to Community building representatives.

“When we have visitors to the high school, we can have them buzz in, and they’re in the meeting space,” Lentz said. “If they need to come in and meet with the principal, they can just come in and be right there. They don’t even have to navigate through the school.”

In addition to increased safety, Lentz added that the new entryway will increase visibility of the students who transition between the high school and Hart Career Center.

The project is expected to go out to bid in early January and bids will be presented to the board at either the January or February meeting.

Lentz expects to have an estimated completion date once the bids start coming in, adding that while it is roughly the same square footage as the recent addition to Mexico Middle School, the project will be more complicated.