Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Dr. Parker, on behalf of Maria Bond, shared the following Good News:

1.  Hancock County Promise awarded four kindergarten students (from each county school) a $500 scholarship.  Congratulations to Wesley Perry from McCordsville Elementary for being the Mt. Vernon recipient.

2.  The MVHS Class of 2021 graduated on June 11 and was awarded over $4 million in scholarships.

3.  MVHS Athletics had a banner year.  Overall, varsity sports won 77% of their contests across the board, with most sports facing a top 25 ranked schedule and 12 teams winning their sectional championship.  

4.  MVCSC will be offering 5 free breakfast and 5 free lunches each week for those 18 years or younger at Fortville Elementary beginning June 14th.

5.  Fox 59 and CBS 4 noted Hancock County as one of the best counties to raise a family in Indiana, referencing McCordsville and Mt. Comfort Elementary as top public schools.

Dr. Parker recognized the 2021 Retirees and presented each of them a clock.  They are;  Patty Bennett (MVHS)   20 years; Kim Caudell  (MES)   22 years; Carey Cole  (MVMS)   41 years;  Cindy Conover  (MVHS)   17 years; Pam DeBaun (Admin.)   23 years; Brenda Denney  (PreK)   42 years; Lola Halterman  (FES)   25 years;  Melinda Jackson  (MVHS)   35 years; Beckey Sietsma  (Bus Driver)   31.5 years; and  Greg Worland  (FES)   18 years.

The 2021 Elementary School Board Scholars are:

Mt. Comfort Elementary 

Willow Addison  (1)

Sarah Blankenship  (2)

Eden Coleman  (2)

Jamasyn Lusby  (1)

Drew Morgan  (1)

Landen Robbins  (1)

Zoe Smith  (1)

Aleeya Williams  (1)

Anna Woolston  (2)

McCordsville Elementary 

Niamh Lujza T. Estrera  (1)

Ella Jute  (1)

Jayden Kuznik  (1)

Callie Rost  (1)

Fortville Elementary 

Madeleine Espenlaub  (1)

Taylor Greulich  (1)

Eliza Hickman  (1)

Ressie Lemmon  (1)

Kendall Lockwood  (1)

Maxton Sovich Minch  (2)

Owen Strachman  (1)

Zoey Wood (2)

The Mt. Vernon Middle Scholars are:

6TH GRADE

Madeleine Bridenthal  (3)

Addyson Franklin  (1)

Olivia Hartnett  (1)

Lucy Hickman  (2)

Ryan Kroemer  (3)

Ethan Lear  (3)

Katelyn Leland  (1)

Elijah Lemmon  (3)

Brody Lockwood (1)

Ava Parker  (1)

Zackary Spalding  (1)

Gabriella Thomas  (1)

Leah Wisker  (2)

7TH GRADE

Caleb Ashley  (2)

Ariel Bennett  (1)

Elijah Broady  (2)

Marisa Burt  (1)

Tate Cougill  (4)

Zoey Flores  (1)

Cooper Hunziker  (4)

Izabella Jones  (2)

Leah Kay  (2)

Alivia Morgan  (2)

Olivia Morris  (1)

Jenna Nguyen  (2)

Lillian Quinn  (3)

Colin Smith  (4)

8TH GRADE

Reagan Britt  (2)

Everlyn Captain  (3)

Kayleigh Moran  (5)

Jackson Rhoad  (3)

Vurvian Woolston  (3)

The Mt. Vernon High School School Board Scholars are:

9TH GRADE

Kristen Beaty  (4)

Indra Bird  (1)

Penelope  Dearth  (1)

Elise Gawrys  (6)

Katelynn Hawkins  (1)

Annelise Hiner  (5)

Ava Lusby  (2)

Tatum Mastin  (3)

Ellery Minch  (2)

Emma Rappe’  (2)

Lillian Ray  (1)

Michael Shearer  (2)

Evie Skene  (4)

Cameron Sullivan  (1)

Kalin Wallpe  (3)

10TH GRADE

Maliyah Chavez  (3)

Erica Conley  (3)

Lillianna Fronek  (4)

Ella Hubbell  (2)

Lukas Hummel  (4)

John Kroemer  (1)

Joseph Wilson  (6)

11TH GRADE

Riley Britt  (7)

Isaac Damer  (3)

Sophia Dewael  (2)

Maitlyn Griner  (4)

Lydia Helm  (2)

Kiley Hunziker  (7)

Keenan Jaques  (2)

Hayden  Kovell (1)

Brianna Linton  (2)

Molly Reece  (2)

Lillian Woolston  (4)

12TH GRADE

Reagan Arthur  (1)

Kayden Bensheimer  (4)

Kendal Bowman  (3)

Kaira Carter  (3)

Katherine Gawrys  (6)

Nolan Gronowski  (5)

Christopher Hays  (1)

Samuel Mackall  (3)

Shiloh McFarland  (9)

Samuel McWilliams  (5)

Sofie Mott  (8)

Alexis Shelton  (3)

Hannah Smith  (1)

Tyler Strantz  (5)

Avery Swingle  (2)

Jaclyn Wilson (2)

Daniel Woods  (3)

Olivia Yeley  (9)

(years as a scholar)

The 2021 Academic Wall of Fame Recipients are:

FORTVILLE ELEMENTARY:

Spelling Bee Champion: Ressie Lemmon

Addition T-Race Champion: Nicholas Gasiorek

Multiplication T-Race Champion: Ressie Lemmon

MT. COMFORT ELEMENTARY:

Spelling Bee Champion: Eden Coleman

Addition T-Race Champion: Drew Morgan

Multiplication T-Race Champion Eden Coleman

MCCORDSVILLE  ELEMENTARY:

Spelling Bee Champion: DeAnna Bertelson

Addition T-Race Champion: Xavier Stewart

Multiplication T-Race Champion Brinley Sargent

MT. VERNON MIDDLE SCHOOL:

Spelling Bee Champion: Emma Gale

MT. VERNON HIGH SCHOOL:

Valedictorian: James Demircioglu

Salutatorian: Olivia Yeley

School Board Scholar Five Times or More:       

 Katherine Gawrys  (6); Nolan Gronowski  (5); Shiloh McFarland  (9); Samuel McWilliams  (5); Seth Morrison  (7); Sofie Mott  (8); Tyler Strantz  (5); and Olivia Yeley  (9)          ( ) years as a scholar

 

Mr. Casey Dodd, principal Mt. Vernon High School, gave a presentation spotlighting his school focusing on last school year celebrations.  He began with academic celebrations.  Fifteen students passed their test and received their Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) Certification.  For the first time at Mt. Vernon, a FFA member went through a three day process to became a state officer for FFA as the Centennial.  For the second year in a row, Mt. Vernon High School was recognized by U.S. News & World  Report as a Best High School.  On June 11, 2021, 284 seniors and 14 juniors graduated with a graduation rate of 99.69%.  97.99% graduated with Academic Honors or Core 40 Diplomas and 7 students graduated with Technical Honors.  2021 was a great year for Mt. Vernon athletic teams.  They won 12 sections; 2 regionals, 9 HHC Titles; 1 HHC Coaches of the Year; HHC Traveling Football Helmet;Boundary Rail; HHC Traveling Basketball; HHC Girls All-Sports Award, 3 Elite 8 finishes; and 2 Final 4 finishes.  In the Arts, the Colorguard went to state finals; Indoor Percussion finished third in the state; band and choir concerts were held once again as was two musicals and Mt. Vernon hosted the Hancock County Art Show. Turning the page on the 2020-2021 school year,  Mr. Dodd stated you can't go through an experience as last school year without it changing you and you must decide what you are going to take away from that experience.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Shelton gave a MVMS Construction Update.  The project is currently on schedule with completion set for the end of September.  May activities include Art Room MEP rough-in, metal stud framing and wall block completed along with the Band and Choir concrete slab have been poured.  June activities include  the south masonry block wall for the Band & Chair room installed; structural steel delivered and installed; cafeteria expansion work to begin; Art kiln delivered and installed and the remainder of the Art Room will be demoed and worked on.

 

Dr. Parker presented first reading of the following policies:  1) B200 Membership-the addition of Board Norms are included in this recommended policy;  2) E100 Adoption of Curricular Materials-new opinion of attorney and allows us  to develop administrative guidelines; and 3)  G375 Community Use of School Facilities.  Changes are due to recent legislative changes and recommendations of our attorney.   Second reading will be at the next board meeting.

Mr. Smedley asked for the board's consideration and approval of a Memo of Understanding between the Board of Trustees and the Mt. Vernon Classroom Teachers' Association mutually agreed upon June 8, 2021.  The memo states all teachers who are currently employed as of June 9, 2021 and have been for at least 120 days during the 2020-2021 school year receive a $750.00 stipend in recognition of the increase in teacher work time and effort necessitated by multiple extra duties prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The funding for this one time stipend is provided by ESSER II, ESSER III and related federal legislation that may be used for pandemic-related expenses freeing funds from the Education and Operations Funds to be used for additional human resource expenses.  Mr. Edwards made a motion to approval the MOU Regarding Certified Stipends.  Mr. May seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

 

Mr. Smedley asked for approval of Resolution 2021-21.  The resolution provides a one time $750.00 stipend for classified employees who are currently employed as of June 9, 2021 and have been for at least 120 days in recognition of the increase in work time and efforts necessitated by multiple extra duties prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.  The stipend will be paid  primarily out of the Operations Fund cash balance. Mr. May made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-21 Approval of Classified Stipends.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

Dr. Parker, on behalf of Mr. Scott Shipley, Director of Curriculum, presented Student Textbook and Fees for the 2021-2022 school year.  He  pointed out fees are lower this year due to the removal of the $30.50 Edmentum fee for all students that will now be paid with grant money.  The cloth masks fee of  $8.00 was removed for every student also along with a Naviance fee at the high school as they are using a different tracking software for graduation pathways.  That alone will remove $45.89 from high school textbook fees.   Other differences depends on courses taken.  At the middle school level, a reduction of $34.85 is expected for core classes 6th and 7th grade and $20.88 for 8th grade primarily because of the grant fees covering Edmentum.  K-5 Fees are estimated to be $118.50.  Basic fees at the middle school level are $179.65 (6th grade); $180.99 (7th grade); $193.28 (8th grade) and increases depending on courses taken.  High School fees are dependent on courses taken.  Dr. Parker reminded everyone that Indiana is one of four states where textbook fees are not covered and solely the responsibility of parents.  The state only provides a portion of the reimbursement for free and reduced students' fees. Mr. Edwards made a motion to approve the Student Textbook and Fees for the 2021-2022 School Year as presented.  Mr. Gray seconded.  Mrs. Walls thanked everyone for their work in removing the Edmentum fee.  The motion carried 5-0.

 

 

5-0

Mr. Smedley presented changes and updates to the Classified Handbook for the 2021-2022 school year.   A one page summary showed the changes and updates that provide clarity to what is already in the handbook.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the Classified Employee Handbook as presented.  Mr. Gray seconded and the motion carried 5-0. 

 

Mr. Smedley presented changes and updates to the Certified Staff Handbook for the 2021-2022 school year.  A one page summary outlines the changes and updates which are primarily updating the Central Office Staff Directory and policy codes for school board policies.  Mr. Edwards made a motion to approve the Certified Staff Handbook as presented.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Smedley presented a request from Athletic Director Brandon Ecker to increase the transportation fee for student athletes from $40.00 to $50.00 due to increased costs to transport athletes  to away events while still recognizing free and reduced students.  He  noted, even with the increase, we are still below our neighboring school districts.  Mr. May made a motion to approve the Transportation Fee Increase as presented.  Mr. Edwards seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

Mr. Elkins requested approval of 2021-2022 lunch and breakfast prices.  Due to current USDA waivers, we will be participating in Seamless Summer Option during the entire 2021-2022 school year providing one free breakfast and one free lunch per day to all of  our students.  Adult/Extra Student Lunch will increase from $3.75 to $3.85.  Breakfast and milk prices will remain the same.  Mr. Gray made a motion to approve the 2021-2022 lunch and breakfast prices as presented. Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

 

Mr. Elkins requested approval of the Food2Schools Bids for the 2021-2022  school year.  Food2School is the purchasing cooperative we utilize for commodities in the  food  service program.  Mr. Edwards made a motion to approve the Food2School Interlocal Agreement and Contract Renewals for the 2021-2022 school year.  Mr. Gray seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

 

Mr. Elkins requested approval for the requests from the building treasurers for cash boxes for the 2021-2022 school year.  This is an annual procedural item.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the request for Cash Boxes for All Schools for  the 2021-2022 school year.  Mr. May seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

Mr. Elkins requested approval of Transfer of Funds.  At last month's board meeting, the board approved  the bid for contractor for the welding room at Mt. Vernon High School. Resolution 2021-18 allows the establishment of Fund 0701 Welding Fund Project and the transfer of funds from Operations to this fund for  the purpose of welding room expenses.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-18 Approval for Transfer of Funds.  Mr. Edwards seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

 

At the August 2020 board meeting, the board authorized Mr. Elkins to engage with a real estate broker and instructed him to pursue the sale of the property located at County Road 600 W. and 100 N., Greenfield, owned by the corporation.  Resolution 2021-19 authorizes Mr. Elkins to act on behalf of the board to complete all legal actions related to the sale of that property.  Mr. Gray made a motion to approve  Resolution 2021-19 Authorizing the Sale of Real Estate.  Mr. May seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

Mr. Elkins requested the transfer of funds from Education and Operations to a newly established Employee Stipend Fund for the purpose of paying the $750.00 stipend to all qualifying employees.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-20 Approval for Transfer of Funds.  Mr. Edwards seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.