Mexico Board of Education Meets in Regular Session

Mexico School Board members get an update on MAP testing results during tonight’s (Tuesday’s) school board meeting.

According to data presented by Superintendent Melissa Chastain, overall proficiency rates have not reached pre-pandemic levels.

Science and social studies especially are showing a decline along with math and reading at some grade levels, in line with state averages.

Superintendent Chastain says the district is “not waiting for MAP scores to lead us in a direction” as the district has modified reading and math curriculum to address the decline in scores.

The board also heard a presentation from administration regarding moving to a 4-day school week for the 2023-24 school year.

If approved, Mexico would join 141 other Missouri school districts in making the move, citing an increase in retaining and recruiting employees as well as better attendance of both faculty and students.

The proposal would call for adding 15 minutes to the day for high school students with elementary and middle school days being extended by 24 minutes with Mondays off.

Snow days would be made up on the first available Monday and no employee would be paid any less than they are in the current 5-day week schedule.

The proposal would not include providing daycare or providing meals for students on Mondays as some districts have done, primarily because a number of districts contract out their foodservice for a set amount whereas Mexico foodservice employees are employees of the district.

The board approved sending out a survey to eighth to eleventh grade students, parents and guardians and patrons of the district in order to gather data and input prior to moving forward with any action.

Warrenton is currently the largest district in Missouri on a 4-day week with 3,200 students although Independence with 14,000 students is considering making the switch.