Board of Education Members


  • Jim Emery James Emery
    President

    Jim is a life-long resident of the Village of Mexico and was in one of the first classes to attend Mexico Elementary and Fravor Road Schools. Jim graduated from MACS in 1971 and continued his education at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, graduating in 1975 with a BA degree majoring in political science. Following college, Jim earned a paralegal degree in real estate from Adelphi University and worked for five years in the Abstract and Title Insurance field. In 1981, Jim was hired by the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation for Nine Mile Point, Unit 1. Jim retired in 2010 as a reactor operator at Nine Mile Point, Unit 2. Jim is the father of John, Class of 2009 and Elizabeth, Class of 2011.

    Email: JamesEmery@mexicocsd.org
    Term Ends: June 30, 2026
    Dates of Service: 1996-Present

     



    Darlene Upcraft Darlene Upcraft
    Vice President

    Darlene has been a lifelong resident of the Town of Scriba, beginning her education at New Haven Elementary School and graduating from MACS in 1974. She continued her education at SUNY Morrisville and Oswego, receiving degrees in Medical Technology and Zoology. She retired as a Quality Assurance Manager from Anheuser-Busch in 2010. Darlene is the proud mother of Kevin, a 1999 MACS graduate, and grandmother to Jacob and Matthew, both students at MACS.

    Email: DarleneUpcraft@mexicocsd.org
    Term Ends: June 30, 2026
    Dates of Service: 1996-Present

     

     


     
    Chad Bigelow Chad Bigelow

    Chad is a lifetime resident of Mexico. He graduated from MACS in 1999 and earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Elementary Education from SUNY Oswego. He has been employed by the APW school district for thirteen years as a fourth-grade teacher and technology integration specialist. He is also actively involved in coaching community soccer. He and his wife, Shannon, raise their family in Mexico, and their three children, Anna, Ainsley and Ian, are students in the district.

    Email: CBigelow@mexicocsd.org
    Term Ends: June 30, 2027
    Dates of Service: 2015-Present

     

     



    Merrilee Gorton photo Merrilee Gorton

    Merrilee is a life-long resident of Mexico and graduated from MACS in 1980. She earned a BA in Human Services Administration from SUNY Empire State College. Merrilee has spent her career working for non-profit agencies that provide services for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Merrilee's three children, Jacob, Tonaya and Zianna are graduates of MACS. 

    Email: MGorton@mexicocsd.org
    Term Ends: June 30, 2025

     

     


     

    Amy ShawAmy Shaw photo

    Amy Shaw is a lifetime resident of the District and graduated from MACS in 1989. She has a degree in Business Administration from Jefferson Community College. She is the Branch Manager at Pathfinder Bank in Mexico. Amy and her husband, Dennis, have two children. Kenzie is a 2013 graduate of MACS and Matthew graduated in 2019.

    Email: AShaw@mexicocsd.org
    Term Ends: June 30, 2027
    Dates of Service: 2015-Present

     

     

     


     

    Sue TeifkeSue Teifke

    Sue is a lifelong resident of Mexico. She graduated from MACS in 1981.  She completed the cosmetology program at BOCES. Sue has been the owner of Ye Olde Hair Shoppe since 1983. She was the treasurer of the MACS Sports Booster Club for nine years. Her husband, Tim, graduated from MACS in 1980, as did their three children, Tiffany, who graduated in 2007, Ryan in 2009 and Macy in 2012.

    Email: STeifke2@mexicocsd.org
    Term Ends: June 30, 2026
    Dates of Service: 2017-Present

     

     

     


    Connie Douglas photo

    Connie Douglas

    Attended and graduated from Mexico School District and went on to graduate from Oswego State University. I drove a school bus for the district for 16 years before becoming a NYS Sales Tax Auditor. I retired from state service and have worked as an Accountant for the last six years. My husband and I have raised four children that also graduated from MACS. I am a member of the New Haven Fire Auxiliary, Oswego County School Boards Association and Central NY School Boards Association.

    Email: CDouglas@mexicocsd.org
    Term Ends: June 30, 2025
    Dates of Service: 2013-22; 2024-Present

     

     


    Zoe GrzesikStudent BOE member Zoe Grzesik
    2024-25 Student Representative

    Term Ends: June 30, 2025