Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Mrs. Freeman led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

Mrs Walls made a motion to adopt the agenda as presented.  Mrs. Smith seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

There were none.

Tonight is a special session held for the main purpose of adopting the 2021 School Budget.  A Public Hearing for the 2021 Budget was held on Monday, September 21, 2020.  The budget has been advertised on the DLGF Gateway website since September 10, 2020.

The first action item is the presentation of Resolution 2020-38, Adoption of the 2021 Budget.  As of September 28, 2020, the 7-day allowable period for objections has expired.  Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation has not received notice of any taxpayers objecting to the budget, tax rate, or tax levy nor have any filed an objection petition with its proper officers.  Therefore, Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation may adopt the budget without a finding concerning any objections or petitions.

Mr. Elkins recapped the 2021 Budget as previously presented at the September 21, 2020 board meeting.  

Mr. Elkins and Mr. Rollo gave a presentation on the consideration of a technology lease agreement.  Board members were given copies of the lease terms and amortization schedule in the event that a lease agreement is needed for the purpose of the technology purchasing and financing.  Mr. Rollo began his presentation by discussing the need to purchase computers as computers purchased in the past, in conjunction with building projects, were all purchased at the same time, therefore are all the same age.  In 2013, our computers were not matching what the state required for ISTEP testing.  At that time computers were purchased for computer labs at FES, MES and MVMS and then six months later for classrooms.  In 2015 1:1 began and chromebooks and IPads were purchased. Classroom computers became outdated and were moved from FES, MES and MVMS to MCE and Preschool classrooms.  Currently , those four buildings have computers bought within six months of each other, therefore all in need of replacement at one time.  Existing computers at FES, MES, MCE and MVMS range from 6-9 years old and designed to run Windows 7.   Now Windows 7 is a security risk and Windows 10 is needed to stay compliant.  As these computers were never made to run Windows 10, they have slowed down considerably.  Five years ago resources were focused on the 1:1 program, devices and wireless infrastructure.  We did not have the financial means to support a technology replacement plan. Another issue is the Cisco Phone System,initially purchased in 2006, ranging in age between 6-14 years old and no longer supported by Cisco when upgrading to latest software version.  Another issue, wireless access points. 

The 2020 Tech Replacement Plan calls for replacing 243 desktop computers at the various buildings; 295 Cisco Phones throughout the district; and work on the Wireless System replacing access points, adding access points to low signal areas and large instruction areas, etc. Other work includes replacing 139 classroom projectors, adding ceiling speakers for sound output and upgrading to HDMI cabling. 

Mr. Rollo also presented a Technology 3-5 Year Replacement Plan which includes replacing computers every 4th and 6th year per building; phones replaced every 5th and 7th year per building; projectors  replaced every 5 years; wireless access points every 5 years; network switches replaced every 5-7 years; network core switches replaced every 4-6 years; servers replaced every 3-5 years; and financially plan replacement technology equipment working with ERate and other funding sources.  Mr. Rollo feels that with this 3-5 Year Plan, we should be in good shape. 

Mr. Elkins stated there were two options to finance the replacement plan:  1)  Request a lump sum up front and Mr. Rollo can purchase what he needs, paying back via loan payments with funds from bond proceeds.  Mr. Elkins provided a Lease Proposal should the board decide to go this route; or 2)  Pay as we go with Mr. Rollo developing a schedule as sees fit and submit payments to bank requesting Tech Department be reimbursed with bond proceeds, thereby not having to enter into a lease agreement and avoiding interest charges.   Mr. Elkins stated he and Mr. Rollo will work together to determine what the best option is, but he wanted to present both to board members along with two coinciding resolutions.

Mrs. Smith asked how will we prioritize what needs to happen first.  Mr. Rollo responded he would develop a plan and select time and dates when things needed to be done, starting with the older items. 

Mrs. Freeman asked if they were voting to approve one of these choices, not a combination of both.  Mr. Elkins stated yes and he would be recommending the pay as we go option, but reiterated he wanted members to hear both options as they each had benefits.  If he and Mr. Rollo determined the pay as you go option was most beneficial, board members would begin noticing expenditures listed in the claims each month under consent items. A decision will be made on which option to choose in the next couple of weeks. 

Mr. Elkins asked the board to consider the Operations Fund excess levy appeal for transportation and bus replacement expenses.  He noted this is an application with a formula component, so numbers are what they are.  He will submit the application, but there are no guarantees.  One term of the application is a 10% annual increase in transportation expenditures. Over the last five year period we have been above that percentage so hopefully that is in our favor.  Also, our assessed valuation has grown so quickly, it will limit the amount we are eligible for. Bottom line is according to the DLGF formula, the total amount we can ask for in additional operations fund levy is $335,095. 

Dr. Parker presented the 2021-2022 School Calendar for approval stating this is a typical calendar we would have had for this school year if we hadn't been delayed starting school due to COVID-19.  It includes two weeks of Fall Break, Winter Break and Spring Break along with two eLearning Days.  Class would begin on July 28, 2021 for students and the anticipated last day of school is May 25, 2022.  Dr. Parker asked for the board's approval so he could start communicating the calendar to parents as soon as possible.  Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve the 2021-2022 School Calendar.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Elkins presented the 2020 Teacher Appreciation Grant Policy which needs to be updated in order for the Indiana Department of Education to distribute money to use.  The update is just a date change. The money will be distributed to teachers who have met the following criteria:  1) employed in the classroom or directly provided education in a virtual classroom setting;  2) received a Highly Effective or Effective rating on their most recently completed performance evaluation; and  3) employed on December 1st of the year the Corporation receives the Teacher Appreciation Grant monies.  The teachers rated Highly Effective will be a stipend at least 25% more than the stipend given to Effective teachers.  The ratings are based on last year's teacher performance evaluations.

Mrs. Walls made a motion to adjourn at 6:34 p.m.  Mr. May seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

An Executive Session was held following the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m.for the purpose of discussing the assessment, design, and implementation of school safety and security measures, plans and systems.