The Mexico Academy & Central School District Board of Education has a new president for the first time since the early 2010s as Mrs. Connie Douglas was unanimously voted into the position at the recent Reorganizational Meeting.

Mrs. Douglas, of New Haven, has long served on the MACS board, having been a member from 2013-22 and again 2024 to present. Before that, she drove a school bus 16 years for the district before working as a NYS Sales Tax Auditor and presently works for Toyota Material Handling as an Accounting Analyst. Mrs. Douglas, a MACS alumnus herself, and her husband had four children graduate from the Mexico High School.

The board vice president will also be a new face, as Mrs. Amy Shaw was also unanimously voted into the position. Mrs. Shaw, also a MACS alumnus who lives in Mexico, is the Branch Manager at the local Pathfinder Bank and alongside her husband saw two of her children graduate from the Orange and Black. She has served on the BOE since 2015, and represents Mexico CSD on the CiTi BOCES Board of Education as well.

"We are thrilled and honored to have Connie and Amy serving as our elected officers for the upcoming school year,” said MACS Superintendent Dr. Donna Runner. “Both are outstanding leaders, dedicated advocates for our district and respected voices in public education. Their experience, commitment and vision will help guide our work and make the 2026–27 school year one to remember."

Mrs. Douglas takes over as president after Mr. James Emery retired from BOE service after 30 years, including the last 13 as the board’s president. Runner thanked Mr. Emery and Mrs. Sue Teifke, who had served for more than a decade on the board before opting not to run this year, for their years of stalwart service to the district, and added that they would both be missed dearly.

Board elections occurred in May, and all three candidates on the ballot were elected. Mrs. Darlene Upcraft, who has served for 30 years including most recently as vice president for several years, was re-elected while newcomers Mr. Kevin Gates and Mrs. Amanda McIntyre were also elected. All three took their oaths of office in July and will serve three-year terms.

Ms. Nataleigh Smith will serve as the non-voting Student Board of Education member for the 2026-27 school year.