Two weeks into summer school and the Mexico School District's decision to discontinue the mask requirement and other pandemic-related routines appears to bode well for a more normal 2021-22 school year.

As of Monday there had been no quarantine orders among the 1,153 students K-12 enrolled in the session.

“Just going back into the building for summer school, people seemed more energetic,” said interim superintendent Melissa Chastain. “It's going really well.”

The assistant superintendent and 17-year veteran with the district, Chastain was named interim superintendent in May when the school board voted to place Dr. Tammy Lupardus on leave pending a performance review. Her most pressing matter — apart from the summer session — is filling teaching slots.

The district is actively seeking around eight instructors. The search has been hampered by a nationwide shortage of qualified teachers. But all vacant administrative positions have been filled.

Julie Lower had already been named as the new Mexico Middle School principal, replacing the departing Deb Haag. Tim Schoonover will take over the school's assistant principal role.

Robert Miles is the incoming principal at Eugene Field Elementary. And Mark Holman assumes the director of alternative education post at the Hart Career Center.

Brandon Schafer returns to the district after a one-year absence to fill the activities director and assistant principal seat at Mexico High School vacated by Travis Blevins.

Christine Harper will serve as the district's director of communications.

While a formal search for a superintendent cannot begin in earnest until the school board completes its performance review, Chastain expressed interest in the post.

She started as a special education teacher for the district and then became reading coach. She moved over to the administrative side as assistant principal for Eugene Field and later was named the principal at Hawthorne Elementary.

“I've always had a goal of being superintendent,” Chastain said.

In the interim, Chastain said she will focus on teacher retention. It's the subject of her doctoral dissertation at William Woods University.

“It has to be a priority,” she explained. “People will stay where they are appreciated. And we have a very supportive community.”

As planning continues for the upcoming school year, Chastain admits there is still some uncertainty how it will look, but observes that almost everyone is ready for a return to a post-pandemic normal.

At the moment, it looks as though the mask mandate will be dropped.

“We'll talk about this with the board, but as of now I don't see it being reinstated,” Chastain said. “We'll adjust as needed.”