Board of School Trustees Meeting

Mrs. Bond shared the following Good News:

1.  MVMS celebrated Black History Month with a live concert for the 8th graders featuring Principal Ben Williams on the drums, Allan Burke who has performed with the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Spinners and is also in the Indiana Jazz Hall of Fame, and guest saxophonist Superintendent Parker.

2.  MV students have checked out over 90,000 books this year which averages out to over 21 books per student.

3.  MVHS students visited the Statehouse for the VOICE Youth Day of Action.  Students learned what is being done to reduce vaping in Indiana and to show support for protecting Hoosier youth from tobacco and vaping.

4.  All MVMS ISSMA participants received a gold rating, including the vocal group Locked In, who received a perfect score.  

5.  Several MVCSC staff members took time to deep clean several Mt. Vernon Schools in an effort to help keep our students and staff free of illness.

Ms. Jackie Nason, MVHS Director of Bands, and band member Gage Bailey showed board members the prototype for the new marching band uniform.  Ms. Nason stated she had met with Dr. Parker a year ago and as the old uniforms were over ten years old, asked him what was the possibility of band members receiving new band uniforms.  She thanked board members for their commitment to fund half of the new uniforms along with the other half from the Music Boosters.  She met with representatives from F.J. Miller Company and what started as a sketch, after completing  a questionnaire of what they wanted their uniform to look like, they came up with the protocol.  Ms. Nason hopes to roll out the new uniforms in the fall.  

Mrs. Stephanie Miller, principal at McCordsville Elementary, gave a presentation spotlighting her school with a focus on social and emotional learning.  She began by stating more than ever, students are coming to school with trauma.  This trauma can stem from serious abuse and neglect.  It was determined that what they were doing to help these students was no longer working and that change was needed to help students succeed.  For the most needy students, they have begun filtering them into the general education classrooms and with some growing pains and tweaking the process, students are almost fully inclusion and behavior has changed.  Discipline referrals for serious infractions have plummeted in one years time.  In 2018-2019, there were eighty-one referrals for serious discipline like aggressive behavior resulting in thirty-two suspensions.  In 2019-2020, after implementing changes, there were thirty-seven referrals for serious discipline behavior resulting in 13.5 suspensions.  A difference of 50 less referrals and 18.5 suspensions. Mrs. Miller stated they have focused on academics so all students can learn at high levels.  Nuture groups were formed led by classroom teachers, staff, coaches and administrators teaching students to properly interact while making positive choices.  Real results indicate it is not just discipline data that has shown growth, but how our students and teachers interact on a daily basis is what is amazing.  

Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve the Resolution Approving Appropriation for the Debt Service Fund as described in Resolution 2020-05.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Elkins requested approval of Resolution 2020-06 Transfer of Funds from Education to Self-Insurance Fund in the amount of $634,812.88 in order to zero out that fund for the 2019 Budget Year.  This resolution also allows a monthly transfer, not to exceed $43,750, to the newly established Insurance Reserve Fund for the 2020 Budget.  A deposit was made into that fund in November/December, 2019.  This resolution would allow a one time transfer of up to $315,187.12 to the Insurance Reserve Fund.  That amount is determined by projected expected expenses to this fund and what the realized expenses were and is dependent on what cash flow allows.  The Insurance Reserve Fund would be the go to fund if the Self-Insurance Fund were ever to find itself in the negative so we would not have to draw from the Education Fund. 

Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the Resolution Approving of Funds from Education to Self-Insurance and from Education to Insurance Reserve as described in Resolution 2020-06.  Mr. McCarty seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Elkins requested approval of Resolution 2020-07 to Amend the Original Resolution Establishing a Rainy Day Fund.  Many years ago a resolution was passed establishing the Rainy Day Fund.  Since that time, language has changed and this resolution allows for updating that original language.

Mr. McCarty made a motion to Amend the Original Resolution Establishing a Rainy Day Fund as described in Resolution 2020-07. Mr. May seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Smedley informed board members that when Mt. Vernon implemented the newly developed Classified Staff Pay Scales January 1, 2020, it was not taken into account those Clinic Assistants that hold a nursing license.  He asked the board to approve the attached modified pay scale correcting that oversight and compensating those with licenses.  Mr. May made a motion to approve the modification to the pay scale for clinic assistants as described.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried  5-0.

Mr. Smedley asked board members to approve the modified 2020-2021, per the attached,  This reflects a change in the previously approved Centralized Registration date of July 16, 2020 changed to July 22, 2020.  Changing the date to a week later will alleviate several issues.  Mrs. Freeman verified that this was the only change to the 2020-2021 calendar.  Mr. Smedley stated yes, no other changes were made.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to modify the 2020-2021 school calendar changing the date of Centralized Registration to July 22, 2020.  Mr. McCarty seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.