Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Mrs. Bond announced the following Good News:

1,  All MV elementary schools were recognized as Project Lead the Way Distinguished Schools.  They are three of 404 elementary schools across the nation to receive this honor this year.

2.  MVHS held a virtual Senior Honor Night to recognize the high achieving class of 2020.  Collaboratively, they received $4 million in scholarships.

3.  MVCSC Food Service have distributed over 87,000 meals since March 31st.

4.  MVHS students surprised Science Teacher Mrs. Lynnette Huth by driving by her house and giving her cards and notes of inspiration and appreciation.

5.  MVMS and the Mini-Marauder Preschool held a staff drive through to say goodbye to their students, and each elementary school held a 5th grade graduation drive through.

6.  Dr. Parker was featured on Fox 59 and CBS 4.

Dr. Parker announced this year's retirees.  As we were unable to hold the normal celebration honoring these individuals, they will be invited back for the first celebration of the school year and a board meeting.  The following are those that retired:

Dan Brinker, MVHS Custodian (30); Patty Calder, MVHS Athletic Secretary (15); Cindy Carmack, FES Secretary (37); John Davis, Technology Associate (17); Donna Dillion, MCE  Head Custodian (10); Joe Freeman, MVHS French Teacher (41); Nedra Herbert, Speech/Language Pathologist (18); Emily Rogers MES Instructional Assistant (16); and Michelle White, FES Instructional Assistant (17).   ( ) years at Mt. Vernon. 

Prior to the board meeting, representatives from NineStar presented Mr. Shelton with a rebate check in the amount of $41,475 for the lighting project at Mt. Vernon High School. The money will be used for additional energy efficiency.

Mrs. Smith made a motion to Approve Resolution 2020-14 to approve the additional appropriation to the Operations Fund the amount of $500,000.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Resolution 2020-15 is Approving Form of Sixth Amendment to Lease.  The lease is the original lease document created in 2001 and whenever we have a new or refinancing, language in the lease needs to be updated.  The school corporation is funding the middle school/all improvements project through a lease financing, as previously done in the past for renovation and construction projects.  Lease financing are used by school corporations in order to borrow for renovations and construction.  This type of financing does not count against the school corporation's constitutional debt allowance.  The MVMS/FES facilities are currently subject to a financing lease and we are amending that to increase the lease rental due from the school corporation. In exchange for the increased lease rental the Building Corporation will use the bond proceeds to make the needed improvements to the facilities.  The increased lease rental, as shown as the maximum amount of the Sixth Amendment Lease, will be sufficient to pay the principal and interest due the bond holder.  Mr. Elkins is asking permission to restructure the wording of the lease rental.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve Resolution 2020-15 as presented.  Mrs. Smith seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Elkins stated in order for the Building Corporation, which is a not-for-profit Indiana corporation, to issue tax except bonds, the IRS requires the school board to approve the Building Corporation and authorize it to issue tax exempt bonds on behalf of the school corporation.  Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve Resolution 2020-16 as presented.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Elkins stated at the May 7, 2020 school board meeting, the board accepted the recommendation to approve Hagerman Group as our Construction Manager.  Based on a proposal received from them, a contract has been crafted.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve Hagerman Incorporated as our Construction Manager for additions and renovations to Mt. Vernon Middle School.  Mrs. Smith seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Elkins presented requests from the building treasurers to approve start of the year cash boxes for all schools for the 2020-2021 school year.  Doing so will keep them compliant with State Board of Accounts internal controls.  Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve the cash boxes for al schools for the 2020-2021 schools as presented.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

The following policies are recommended for a first reading due to legislative changes and recommendations from our attorney.  No action is required tonight. 

A275    School Wellness-Updates related to COVID-19

A300    Personal Communication Device - UPDATED

C200    Withdrawal from School

C225    Parental Access to Instructional Materials and Surveys

C250    Title I Services

D300    Controlled Substances and Alcohol Testing of CDL License Holders and Safety Sensitive Functions

D350    Unrequested Leaves of Absence-UPDATED Fitness for Duty Leaves and Examinations

D450    Resignation

F100    Internal Controls and Reporting Losses, Shortages, Variances or Thefts

F250    Travel Expenses

G275    Animals on Corporation Property

H100    Family Involvement

Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the 2nd Reading of the following policies as presented:

A325 - Communicable Disease

C125 - Admission to the Corporation (Legal Settlement)

C300 - Programs for Students with Disabilities and Least Restrictive Environment

C525 - Medical Needs at School

C550 - Student Search and Seizure

D200 - Standard of Care and Supervision of Students

D275 - Drug-Free Workplace

D325 - Personal Background Checks and Mandatory Reporting

D475 - Justifiable Decrease in Teaching Positions

Mrs. Smith seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Shipley presented an Addendum to Textbook Fees, per the attached.  Added was the possibility of a $8.00 fee for all grade levels for 2 cloth masks, if the Back to School Task Force recommends them to be necessary.  This fee may not be necessary though as we are currently seeking donations for the masks and have a nonprofit group making masks.  Parents will be allowed to opt out of requiring their student to wear a mask.  Middle school and high schools choirs will be required to wear a face shield, in order for them to continue singing, at a cost of $3.00.  Also included is an Addendum to the MVHS High Tech Academy.  These fees were omitted when Mr. Shipley originally asked for approval of textbook fees at the May board meeting.  

Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve the Addendum to the 2020-2021 fees as presented.  Mrs. Walls seconded.  Mrs. Freeman asked if the face shields for choir was a sure thing or as needed.  Mr. Shipley responded he anticipates they will be needed, but again it depends on the recommendation from the Task Force.  Dr. Parker stated they will be required so students can continue with choir.  Each student will have their own shield and they will be stored, as suggested by our Corporation Nurse, in a paper bag in the classroom.  The motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Shipley presented an additional curriculum request from the high school.  It is the same curriculum, not new curriculum, just a resource to get e-books allowing every student access to the curriculum, as they currently just have classroom sets.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the Addendum to the curriculum materials as presented.  Mrs. Smith seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Smedley presented a revised Classified Staff Handbook.  The changes made bring it into alignment with the Certified Handbook.  He will bring the Certified Handbook to the board at the July meeting for their approval.  Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve the revised classified handbook for 2020-2021 as presented.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Smedley presented, on behalf of Food Service Director Doris Johnson, the 2020-2021 lunch and breakfast prices.  Due to the paid lunch equity requirements by the Federal Government, lunch prices will be increased slightly to $3.10 for MVHS & MVMS; $3.00 for Elementary & Preschool; and $3.75 for Adults.  Breakfast and milk prices will remain the same.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the lunch and breakfast prices for 2020-2021 school year as presented.  Mrs. Smith seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Smedley also presented, on behalf of Doris Johnson, the GPO/Distributor, Milk and Bread Contracts for 2020-2021. Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve the Break and Milk Vendors and GPO/Distributor Contract Renewal for 2020-2021.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Smedley thanked Doris Johnson for her leadership and her staff for all their hard work distributing meals over the last month.  They have all done an outstanding job under Doris' leadership. 

Mr. Rollo asked permission to declare 47 charging cards and 400 Ipads (Generation 1, 2 and 3) that have reached the end of their typical life and no longer needed for school purposes as surplus items.  He is currently looking for vendors to purchase these items to in the hope to re-coop some money.   Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve the technology surplus items as presented.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.