Board of School Trustees Meeting

The invocation was given by Ben Williams.

The Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees held a meeting at 6:01 p.m in the Administrative Service Center.  

Mr. May made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented.  Mrs. Freeman seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mrs. Freeman made a motion to approve the following Consent Items:

Personnel Report:  Jeff Brandes, MVMS Assistant Principal

Mr. May seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Ben Williams, MVMS Principal, introduced Jeff Brandes and his wife.  Mr. Brandes is a 1992 Mt. Vernon graduate and former P.E. teacher, athletic director, and assistant principal at Anderson and Marion Community Schools.   He was chosen from a field of 37 applicants.

 Dr. Parker stated this evening is the hearing for the 2019 Rainy Day Fund.  He turned the meeting over to Mrs. Walls to run the hearing.

Mrs. Walls began by stating this evening's board meeting has been appropriately advertised as a hearing on the 2019 Rainy Day Fund.  The Public Hearing was opened at 6:06 p.m. She called on Mr. Elkins to provide an update. 

Mrs. Walls asked if there were members of the public present who would like to comment.  There were none. 

Mrs. Walls asked board members if there were any comments or questions?  There were none. The hearing was closed at 6:08 p.m.

 Dr. Parker stated this evening is the hearing for the 2019 Operations Fund.  He turned the meeting over to Mrs. Walls to run the hearing.

Mrs. Walls began by stating this evening's board meeting has been appropriately advertised as a hearing on the 2019 Operations Fund.  The Public Hearing was opened at 6:09 p.m. She called on Mr. Elkins to provide an update. 

Mrs. Walls asked if there were members of the public present who would like to comment.  There were none. 

Mrs. Walls asked board members if there were any comments or questions?  There were none. The hearing was closed at 6:10 p.m.

Mr. Elkins reviewed the 2020 Budget as previously presented.  

Mrs. Beth Smith arrived at the meeting at 6:13 p.m.

Mr. Elkins reminded board that members that we advertise high and the DLGF will ultimately trim it back.  Total budget requested is:

Rainy Day Fund            $      100,000

Debt Service                 $ 10,497,386

School Pension Debt    $      255,144

Education                      $ 28,262,996

Operations                    $ 11,150,246

Total Budget                  $ 50,265,772

Mr. Elkins also asked the board to approve three resolutions: 

Resolution 2019-09  Ordinance or Resolution for Appropriations and Tax Rates

Resolution 2019-10  Resolution Authorizing Requesting and Approving Additional Appropriation for the 2019 Operations Fund

Resolution 2019-11  Resolution Authorizing Requesting and Approving Additional Appropriation for the 2019 Rainy Day Fund

Mrs. Freeman made a motion to accept the three resolutions (Adoption of the 2020 Budget in the amount of $50,265,772;  Additional Appropriation for the 2019 Operations Fund in the amount of $2,527,533; and Additional Appropriation for the 2019 Rainy Day Fund in the amount of $79,636.01.   Mr. May seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Elkins requested approval to apply for the 2020 Common School Loan in the amount of $200,000. Mt. Vernon has previously applied and been granted this loan and used it to finance devices for students.  Because this year's textbook rental covers students' devices, if approved, monies from the loan will be used for the Five Star Contract and classroom projectors.  The loan has an interest rate of 1% and can be paid back in several ways over a period of five years.  Mr. Elkins feels this is a good program and we would take advantage of it while we can and pay back the loan as soon as we possible. 

Mr. May made a motion to accept the 2020 Common School Loan as presented in the amount of $200,000.  Mrs. Beth Smith seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

Mrs. Freeman made a motion to adjourn at 6:21 p.m.  Mr. May seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.