Meeting Details
October 19, 2020
7:00pm - 9:00pm
2 hr
Mt. Vernon Administrative Service Center
Purpose
N/A
1.
Work Session (5:30 p.m.)
Minutes
The Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees held a Work Session at 5:30 p.m.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance (7:00 P.M.)
Minutes
Mrs. Freeman lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
3.
Public Hearing: Amended 2021 Budget
2021 Budget Presentation (Amended from September 19, 2020)
Minutes
Mrs. Freeman announced that the Board is holding a Public Hearing for the amended 2021 Budget. Adoption of the 2021 Budget will take place during a special session on Wednesday, October 29, 2020 at 5:15 p.m. With adoption of the amended budget, the board will also be rescinding the previous adoption of October 5, 2020.
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:01 p.m. Notice of this Public Hearing for the amended 2021 Budget was published on the DLGF Gateway website on October 9, 2020. Following this meeting, any ten or more taxpayers may object to a budget, tax rate, or tax levy by filing an objection petition with the proper officers of Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation not more than seven days after the hearing. The objection petition must identify the provisions of the budget, tax rate, or tax levy to which taxpayers object. If a petition is filed, Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation shall adopt with the budget a finding concerning the objection in the petition and testimony presented.
The 2021 operations levy must reflect the excess levy which Mt. Vernon Community Schools has applied for. Resolution 2020-41 approved an excess levy appeal of $335,095. The excess levy presented in the amended budget lists $1,500,000. This inflated amount allows for a cushion in the event an excess levy amount higher than the once described in Resolution 2020-41 is approved. The new 2021 Operations requested levy is $6,657,431. No other budget numbers have been changed since the first public hearing on September 21, 2020.
Mrs. Freeman asked if there was any members of the public that wished to speak regarding the 2021 Budget Advertisement. There were none.
The Public Hearing was closed.
4.
Call to Order
Minutes
Mrs. Freeman called the regular meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
5.
Adoption of Agenda
Minutes
Dr. Parker informed board members that there were additions to the Personnel Report. Mr. McCarty made a motion to adopt the agenda as amended. Mr. May seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
6.
Public Comments Regarding Agenda Items
0167.3 - Public Participation at Board Meetings
May only address items listed in the agenda
Must be recognized by presiding officer.
Must provide name, address, and group affiliation, if and when appropriate
Limited to 3 minutes duration
All statements shall be directed to the presiding officer; no person may address or question Board members individually
Minutes
There were none.
7.
Reports
7.1
Good News
Minutes
Mrs. Bond shared the following Good News:
1. The Mini-Marauder Preschool was awarded a Level 3 state certified recognition through Paths to Quality, which is Indiana's Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement System.
2. MVHS Band of Marauders presented a retired uniform to the Mt. Vernon School Board.
3. MVCSC received substantial support from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund through the CARES Act for online school instruction, specifically for devices, internet connectivity, and staff development.
4. MVHS Football Team received an exemplary behavior report through ISHAA for their sportsmanship against Pendleton Heights.
5. Hancock Regional Hospital donated another 4,000 adults masks to MVCSC.
6. Mt. Vernon Sports Teams are doing very well: MVHS Girls' Soccer won sectionals finishing with a #11 ranking in the state; MVHS Girls' Cross Country will be competing in their 15th consecutive semi-state; MVHS Boys' Cross Country will also be competing in semi-state; MVHS Boys' Tennis won their first Regional match in school history; MVHS Volleyball finished their season in the top 10 in 4A; and MVHS Football is undefeated and heading for sectionals.
7. MVHS Senior Katelynn Hexamer received a Best Buddies Champion of the Year nomination.
7.2
Spotlight on Schools
Mt. Comfort Elementary
Mrs. Alissa Lockwood, Principal
Minutes
Mrs. Alissa Lockwood, Principal at Mt. Comfort Elementary School, gave a presentation spotlighting her school. She began by stating MCE, during the first nine weeks period, had 460 students attending in-person and 143 virtually (23.75%). She anticipates that beginning the second nine weeks period, 52 students will switch from virtual to in-person.
Mrs. Lockwood highlighted what has been happening in each of the grade levels. She commended all Mt. Comfort teachers and support staff for all their hard work, going above and beyond during the COVID Crisis. Kindergarten has done a wonderful job managing 5 and 6 year olds during these extraordinary times. 1st Grade teachers have daily meetings with virtual students, assessing each student individually. 2nd Grade combined all virtual students into one Google Classroom and work together to plan for instruction and create lessons. 3rd Grade also combined all virtual students into one Google Classroom and each teacher takes one day to meet with virtual students in the a.m. and p.m. 4th Grade opens live sessions for virtual students and has daily Google slides for work and lessons. 5th Grade has been holding virtual field trips and also opens lives sessions for virtual students. Special Area Teachers manage all virtual students in the building, plus will start PLCs this year. Special Needs Teachers are doing a wonderful job of meeting the diverse needs of students by staying connected with virtual students and their families and supporting teachers.
Mrs. Lockwood ended her presentation by stating Mt. Comfort Elementary's motto this year is; Thankful for the entire MCE staff for their patience, flexibility and grace.
8.
Consent Agenda
Minutes
Mr. May made a motion to approve the following consent items:
1. Minutes of the September 21, 2020 and October 5, 2020 board meetings;
2. Claims;
3. Request from the MVHS Marching Band to plan a trip to Hawaii to participate in an event with other schools June 8-14, 2021. This trip was previously planned for the summer of 2020, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 health crisis;
4. and the following Personnel Items:
CLASSIFIED RETIREMENT/RESIGNATIONS
Yarmeth Hickman, Mini-Marauder Preschool Instructional Assistant
Lisa Hays, MCE Instructional Assistant
CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS
Susie Faulk, MCE Media Assistant (Temporary Position)
Sheila Lee, Sub Bus Driver
Abby Rodovanovich, Sub Bus Driver
Debra Kline, MVMS Cafeteria
CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT
Trudy Cole, Change from MES Instructional Assistant to Building Secretary
Denise Floyd, Change from FES Resource Instructional Assistant to MVMS Health Room Assistant
Nancy Lincoln, Change from MES Building Sub to Special Education Instructional Assistant
Christie Clements, Change from MVMS Instructional Assistant to Computer Science Teacher
ECA RECOMMENDATIONS
MVMS 2020-2021 Coaching Recommendations (per attached)
ECA RESIGNATIONS
Matt Lacy, MVMS 7th Grade Academic Coach
LEAVES
Andy Williams, MVHS Secretary (FMLA Medical Leave October 5, 2020-October 23, 2020)
Christina Grandstaff, MCE Teacher (FMLA Medical Leave beginning October 23, 2020)
Mr. McCarty seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
8.1
Regular Session Minutes
September 21, 2020 Meeting Minutes
October 5, 2020 Special Meeting Minutes
8.2
Claims
8.3
Personnel Report
8.4
Overnight Field Trip Request
MVHS Band Hawaii Trip
8.5
Request to Accept Donation
There are none.
Minutes
There were none.
9.
Action Items
9.1
2nd Reading Policies
C425 Student Suicide Prevention and Awareness
C575 Homework
D175 Board-Staff Communications
E150 Programs for High Ability Students
E200 Credit for Religious Education
G425 Religious Ceremony-UPDATED Pledge of Allegiance and Moments of Silence
G450 Advertisements, Publications and Naming Rights
H200 Relations with Special Interest Groups
Minutes
Dr. Parker presented second reading of the following policies. He stated this was the end of the policy changes/revisions for now. Next round will probably be after the next legislative session.
C425 Student Suicide Prevention and Awareness; C575 Homework; D175 Board-Staff Communications; E150 Programs for High Ability Students; E200 Credit for Religious Education; G425 Religious Ceremony-UPDATED Pledge of Allegiance and Moments of Silence; G450 Advertisements, Publications and Naming Rights; and H200 Relations with Special Interest Groups. Mr. McCarty made a motion to approve for adoption the policies as presented. Mrs. Walls seconded.
Mrs. Walls made an amended motion to remove D175 Board-Staff Communications until the November meeting after further discussion. Mr. McCarty seconded the amended motion to adopt the policies presented with the exception of D175. The motion carried 5-0.
10.
Announcements
Minutes
Dr. Parker announced 270 virtual students will be returning to class on October 26, 2020 as in-person students. The decision to allow these students to return after nine weeks of virtual instruction is widely supported by administrators and teachers and he is excited to get them back to school.
11.
Adjournment
Minutes
Mrs. Smith made a motion to adjourn at 7:22 p.m. Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
