The Mexico Public Schools District is surveying parents, stakeholders, and citizens about what they want to see in a new superintendent as some still have questions about what happened.

The survey announcement says the district will produce a general report based on the information gathered in this survey and the report will be shared with the Board of Education and the chairperson of the stakeholder’s committee that will interview and review all candidates. The district is asking for the survey to be completed by Feb. 13. The survey can be done anonymously. 

The survey consists mostly of questions with a choice of answers to subjects like what are the most important qualities one wants to see in a superintendent and what qualities make a good leader. The survey also asks participants to rank things like characteristic qualities and their resumes.

The survey wraps up with two written questions asking respondents what they view Mexico Public Schools’ biggest strengths and what are the biggest challenges the district faces.

The timeline for finding a new superintendent is condensed because of the short notice that was given by current superintendent Melissa Chastain who announced her retirement three days after the January BOE meeting. Mexico is late in the process for a new superintendent. Most school districts have settled or are wrapping up their superintendent searches. The BOE is expected to act on a choice next month. Chastain will remain in her position through June.

Chastain’s announcement came as a surprise to most people and there has been very little offered in public statements as to why Chastain is leaving. The Ledger requested a copy of Chastain’s resignation letter but was denied by the district central office citing the Missouri Sunshine Law.

Following Chastain’s announcement the district confirmed that Assistant Superintendent Dr. Robert Miles and Board Secretary Bethany Collins had also resigned from their positions effective at the end of the academic school year. The Ledger also requested copies of Miles and Collin’s resignation letters but was given the same denial and reasoning as the previous request. 

The Ledger asked the district’s central office if a resignation letter existed for any of the three individuals and was told the district could not answer the Ledger’s question also citing the Missouri Sunshine Law.