Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

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

1.  All MV schools honored veterans on Veterans' Day.  FES and MVMS had in-person celebrations with a modified crowd; MCE and MES had virtual celebrations and MVHS shared numerous announced throughout the day to honor veterans.

2.  Athletic News:  MVHS Football Team captured the Regional title and advance to semi-state;  Cheer Team advanced to state finals bringing home 3rd place; Boys' cross country brought home the regional title (Tristan Trevino and Austin Rush competed at state and finished in the top 100 of more than 200 runners; and Meridith Johnson and Alaina Nugent advanced to state girls golf.

3.  MVMS teacher Debbie Thomas was awarded the Indiana Middle School Geography Teacher of the Year by the Geography Educators  Network of Indiana.

4.  Mt. Vernon Education Foundation hosted a successful Parent University event with programming full  of resources for MV parents and staff.  More than 50 attended.

5.  A special breakfast for realtors and builders showcased updates on Mt. Vernon's Futur Growth Plan, enrollment, decreasing transfer student numbers and other programming information.

Brooke Tharp, MVMS Principal, introduced Reading and Math Specialists Paula Day and Kelly Diehl, who gave a presentation spotlighting their specialist programs.  The purpose/mission  of a Middle School Specialist is  to meet students academically where they are and help them grow.  They are dedicated to building relationships to foster a safe environment where student can ask questions, make mistakes and feel ownership in their learning.  Ms. Day and Diehl meet with students 3 days a week, every other day, and their goals are met by teaching GOAL classes (Going Onward Always Learning); measure student growth with frequent progress monitors, determine gaps in individual student learning by analyzing data; collaborate with classroom teachers; and provide support to all students during digital learning and quarantine situations.  Students who have been identified with learning gaps have been scheduled in GOAL classes.  Due to the diverse learning needs of each student in the class, it is important to use educational strategies and activities that best meet each of their individual needs. The main priority is to build a relationship with each student so they feel comfortable and safe to make mistakes and learn from them. In order to meet the needs of these students, they have participated in Professional Development that included CIESC Trainings, Smekens Trainings, PLC Collaboration and data analysis.

Mrs. Heather Johnson, Director of the Mini-Marauder Preschool, gave a presentation spotlighting the preschool. She began by stating the Mini-Marauder Preschool is made up of 27 staff members, 15 who are new this school year.  There are 7 classrooms, 3 three-year-old classes and 4 four-year-old classes.  Each class is assigned an Instructional Assistant and 5 MVHS ICE students also assist.  Of the seven lead teachers, one is licensed in Special Education, and one additional licensed Special Ed teacher and Special Ed Instructional Assistant push into classes to provide services.  They are also supported by speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and the school psychologist.  The students consist of 40 3-year olds; 69 4-year olds; 28 part-time students; and 43 students with disabilities identified with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  The Preschool provides students with nutritional snacks and meals; an academic day with aftercare; tuition assistance and Paths to Quality Level 3, Indiana's statewide quality rating system for early education.  The Mini-Marauder Preschool strives to be an extension of Mt. Vernon CSC seeking to provide readiness for a smooth transition to kindergarten.  Teachers worked last year to create new assessments for preschool and pre-K.  These assessments align with the Indiana Early Learning Foundations.  Included are standards in social-emotional and play skills, early numeracy skills, early literacy and writing skills and fine and gross motor skills. Teachers meet weekly in PLC to engage with one another, including the special education staff to discuss student progress and use data to inform instruction.  They share ideas and lessons to continually improve instruction..  Research based early learning curriculum is used.

Mr. Casey Dodd introduced the 2021 Lilly Scholarship Finalists, Maitlyn Griner and Hayden Kovell.  

Maitlyn is ranked 8 out of 328 in her class with a GPA of 4.218.  Community Service activities include DARE ( serves on Youth Advocacy Board for  the State of Indiana), MVHS Student Government (all 4 years currently serving as executive president), Fortville Winter Festival, Riley Park's Trunk or Treat; Milion Meals; chairman of Choose Kind; and Mental  Health Week committee member.  Extra-curricular activities include Marauder Mentors, Marauder Mob Spirit Club and Varsity Softball.  Maitlyn's future plans include attending either Butler University or Purdue University majoring in Civil Engineering or Forensic Science.

Hayden is ranked 23 out of 328 in her class with a GPA of 4.048.  Community Service activities include Fortville Area Resource Mission (formerly Fortville Christian Food Panty); Campus Life; small group leader at East 91st Street Christian Church; Shepherd Community Center; Kyle Guy Foundation Golf Outing; and Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen.  Extra-curricular activities include National Honor Society; Marauder Mentors; MVHS Girls' Basketball and Girls' Tennis; Campus Life, AfriCAN; and Marauder Mob.  Future plans include attending Purdue University or Ball State University majoring in Pediatric Nursing. 

In order to be eligible for the full four-year tuition scholarship award, applicants must be ranked in the top 15% of their graduating class and plan to pursue a baccalaureate course of study, to be completed in four years, at any accredited Indiana public or private university or college.  Student applications are submitted online and reviewed blindly (without name) by a third party who selects eight finalists, two students from each Hancock County School.  Community Service is the biggest factor in consideration for this award. The winner will be announced in December.

Representatives from Lancer+Beebe provided board members with site concepts showing possible sites for the future Transportation Center and Fortville Elementary School to be built on recently purchased land to the north of the main campus. The plans also showed additional parking lots and potential new roads and traffic patterns designed to alleviate traffic issues during drop-off and pick-up with the goal to keep buses away from cars.

Mr. Elkins gave an update on our current Stewardship Project.  He reminded everyone that we have approximately $16 million dollars worth of other projects going on at this time with roofing, mechanical systems, etc.  Last week he received very good news from Emcor on the mechanical portion.  The initial portion of the project was $8.3 million for year one of a three year plan.  Through savings, materials, and labor,  Mr. Elkins was happy to announce a savings of $400,000  and year 1 is completed, most of year 2 completed and they have started on year 3, so we have saved and are ahead on the project.  

Mr. Elkins recommended to the board that the MVHS football stadium name, currently Hancock Health Stadium, be renamed to Dellen Field at Hancock Health Stadium. The name change will put us in compliance with the terms of the new Dellen Automotive sponsorship agreement, presented earlier in the meeting.

 Mrs. Walls made a motion to rename the current Hancock Health Stadium to Dellen Field at Hancock Health Stadium.  Mr. Gray seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Elkins presented Resolution 2021-41 Approval of Single Project Proposer.  This resolution is required as we received only one proposal for the MEP/HVAC design-building project at Fortville Elementary.  Mr. Gray made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-41 Approval of Single Project Proposer.  Mr. Edwards seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Elkins asked the board to accept the recommendation from Lancer+Beebe and award the design-build project to EMCOR for the MEP-HVAC work at Fortville Elementary.  Mr. Edwards made a motion to accept the recommendation as presented and award the design-build project to EMCOR.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Elkins asked the board to approve roofing project commissioning with Moisture Management for the roofing portion of the Fortville Elementary addition.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the roofing project commissioning with Moisture Management as presented.  Mr. Gray seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Elkins stated the corporation is funding this project through a lease financing, as it has done with other past construction/renovation projects.  Lease financings are used by school corporations across Indiana in order to borrow for renovation and construction.  This type of financing does not count against the school corporation's constitutional debt allowance.  The Building Corporation will purchase the real estate upon which the new elementary school will be constructed and the existing Mt. Comfort Elementary School at the closing for at least the appraisal value.  The Building Corporation will then lease that real estate back to the school corporation.  The lease rental due from the school corporation will be paid from property taxes.  The lease rental, as shown as a maximum amount in the Lease, will be sufficient to pay the principal and interest  due to the bond holders.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-42 Approval of Form of Lease.  Mr. Edwards seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Elkins stated in order for the Building Corporation, a not-for-profit Indiana Corporation, to issue tax exempt bonds, the IRS requires that the School Board approve the Building Corporation and authorize it to issue tax exempt bonds on behalf of the school corporation.  Mr. Edwards made a motion to approve Resolution 2021-43 Reapproval of Building Corporation.  Mr. Gray seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

Dr. Parker presented to following polices for second reading:

Due to legislative changes and recommendations of our attorney, I am recommending the board consider the following new and updated policies for adoption.

A275 School Wellness
A300 Responsible Use of Technology and Internet Use Policy
A350 Civility and Decorum
B225 Board Meetings
C125 Admission to the Corporation (Legal Settlement)
E200 College and University Programs
F125 Purchasing Procedures and Capital Assets
G500 Intellectual Property Ownership and Revenue
H175 The Schools and Governmental Agencies
H225 Public Comments & Concerns

Mr. Gray made a motion to remove Policy G500 Intellectual Property Ownership and Revenue and approve the remaining nine  policies as presented.  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.