The Mexico School District administration and Board of Education are pleased to announce Ms. Julie Lower as the incoming assistant superintendent. Lower has been the lead principal at Mexico Middle School for the past three years.

Dr. Troy Lentz, incoming superintendent, is confident that Lower will continue to support students and staff through educational leadership with compassion and enthusiasm. Dr. Lentz shared, “I could not be more excited about Ms. Lower’s promotion to the assistant superintendent position. It is clear to me that she is a talented leader, and I know our students will benefit from her energy and experience.”

Lower has served children and staff through education in the Mexico community since 2000. Before her lead principal appointment, she was the assistant principal at Mexico Middle School (MMS) and Eugene Field. She also served as MMS's counselor for 15 years and was previously a special education teacher in the district.

“I am humbled and honored to serve as the new assistant superintendent of Mexico Public Schools. Having called Mexico home for the past 24 years, I am deeply committed to investing in our community's success. From our students and parents to all community members, my goal is to foster a sense of pride in our school district. I am excited to continue and enhance our effective programs as we prioritize growth in achievement and care of our students.”

Lower holds a bachelor’s degree in special education, grades K-12, and is dually certified in elementary education, grades 1-6. She also earned two master’s degrees, one in school counseling K-12 and the other in school administration K-12. She obtained her specialist in Educational Leadership in 2017, preparing her for district-level leadership.

She is active in professional development with the Missouri Association of Secondary Principals Association (MoASSP), serving as the Middle-Level Representative of the Northeast Regional group. For the past several years, she’s been a mentor for other school administrators in the Missouri Leadership Development System (MLDS). Julie recently joined the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA), where she is enrolled in the Aspiring Superintendents program.

Julie is the proud mother of Mason Lower, a Mexico High School alum, Class of 2021. She is engaged to Joe Welch of Mexico. She can be found at many student and community events, she also enjoys reading, spending time with her family, going out to dinner with friends, or UTV trail riding with Joe.

Ms. Lower will officially assume the role of assistant superintendent on July 1, 2024. The position of lead principal at Mexico Middle School will be posted for interested applicants.