The Mexico Public Schools Board of Education is once again short a member after the resignation of President Todd Yager.

The board accepted Yager’s resignation at a special meeting called on Tuesday, Aug. 8. Yager was not present at the meeting to comment. It leaves the board in an unusual position having just replaced a board member a few weeks ago. BOE Vice President Keith Louder assumed control of the meeting.

The board debated on how to move forward and set some dates. The board will once again accept applications which will be due by Aug. 23. The board has set a special meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 29, where applicants will potentially be interviewed.

Board members discussed the merits of having applicants who just went through the process go through it again. However, some board members wanted to change the process.

“There were some questions last time that we were not able to ask as a board,” Board Member Matt Pilger said.

Board Member Nicole Jahn backed up Pilger’s idea and said the questions need to be a little more tailored to the district.

“Not quite on par with what the district’s been dealing with,” Jahn said thinking out loud. “Maybe with what we’ve dealt with in the past year.”

Board Member Jessica Ekern said she thought some of the questions were redundant. Louder said eight questions was a bit much.

“I was surprised when we did all of them,” Louder said.

The questions in the first interview process were picked from questions nearby school districts asked their candidates when going through the same process. The board debated several different scenarios and what to do such as having only two candidates who both applied last time or what to do if they receive applications from those who just interviewed and new applicants.

The board decided to let candidates who have already been interviewed the choice to participate in the questions unless it’s a new question, in that instance, everyone would answer.

The board also had to reorganize with the resignation of Yager. Louder was nominated by Jahn to be Board President. No one else was nominated and Louder was appointed on a 6-0 vote. 

Pilger nominated Jahn for vice president which was followed by a nomination of Ekern by Board Member Scott Nichols. Ekern said she didn’t want the nomination and voted for Jahn. Nichols then voted against Jahn’s appointment and immediately looked at Jahn and said, “I’ve got an opinion too.” Jahn laughed it off and commented that she was proud.

New Board Member Michelle Stephens, at her official board meeting, was nominated to be treasurer by Jahn. Her appointment was a 6-0 vote.