Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Mrs. Tonya Galbraith, Town Manager, Town of McCordsville gave a McCordsville Development Update report.   She will be leaving her role as Town Manager soon as she is retiring after 17 years.  She began by giving some growth data for 2021.  437 new single family home permits were issued, up from 240 in 2020.  Estimated population at the end of 2021 is 10,000, a 13% growth increase.  When Mrs. Galbraith started as Town Manager 17 years ago, the population was around 2,000.  A 10% annual growth rate through the end  of the decade would put the population at over 21,000.  In 2021 McCordsville approved zoning for six new subdivisions, totally over 1500 units.  McCord Square, the first phase of the Town Center Project will break ground late spring, early summer.  Upcoming for 2022, three more residential subdivisions have filed for zoning approval and going through the process for approval and an industrial project totalling over 2 million square feet has filed for zoning approval which will help diversify the tax base which helps supports local services.  Vernon Township's new fire station will break ground this summer.  Mrs. Galbraith shared several new businesses coming to McCordsville.  

Dr. Parker presented Mrs. Galbraith with a plaque and flowers in honor of her upcoming retirement and a token of appreciation for her leadership and commitment to our community.

Rob Matt, Hancock Regional Health, and Tim Jensen, President of The Veridus Group, gave a presentation on the proposed Hancock County Innovation and Education Center.  Dr. Parker stated resolutions were developed for a steering committee, led by Hancock Regional Health, to strategize and plan for an education center.  The thinking was an education center would enable students to stay in county for programs they are currently taking at career centers, etc. outside the county such as the Walker Career Center.  It could also be used for workforce training, such as Amazon, to educate existing and new employees.  Hancock Health has taken on the role of project leader and enlisted help with this initiative from others such as NineStar, County Councils and RDC's.  Parts of the planning will include location and how an education center would intertwine with schools, businesses, etc. 

Mr. Jenson began by explaining what is the Innovation & Education Center.  The goal is to create an integrated K-16+ workforce development ecosystem where kids can start discovering what they want to do early on and get experience in their career pathway.   This world-class, multi-use learning and innovation center fuses education, private industry and the community.   He feels the center would give students an alternative to 4 year college by connecting them to high paying, in-demand careers in Hancock County or be a gateway to college.  It would provide workforce development and training to over 6,000 new Hancock County employees as legacy employers need a place for training and education.  It would also provide Community Event and Training Space (community convening space, adult education and employer place for meetings and events).   Project goals include education and workforce development; be a community connector; drive innovation and collaboration; economic growth; and incubate and accelerate start-up businesses.  Career and Technical Ed (CTE) provides students of all ages with the academic and technical skills, knowledge and training necessary to succeed in future careers and to become lifelong learners.  They have been studying CTE Career Clusters to determine what students are looking for.  Additional Benefits include community (more skilled talent, more jobs, higher graduation rate, business and industry engagement, unemployment drop, wage increase and job growth) and employer benefits (builds a pool of skilled workers, teaches soft skills so employers don't have to, lowers recruitment  costs for employers and lower turnover rate).  The Innovation & Education Center Model includes four components, Primary Education (K-12), Private Enterprise, Community and post Secondary Education.  The center may include office space, event space, classrooms, Makerspace and lab, and warehouse.  Hancock Healthcare as the project leaders, is paying Mr. Jensen's company and other vendors to walk through this process and build this consensus around a model.  They have identified stakeholders, a steering committee, conducted visioning sessions, will begin to develop programming, sign partner agreements, design facility and construct facility.  The Hancock County Council will help by providing funds to hire an architect to start putting perimeters around what the needs are for each of the partners . They already have interest from all four of the county school districts, Vincennes University, Ivy Tech, Indiana State, Indiana Wesleyan, Purdue and Trine University who all agree the need for this center is great.  They will continue to work with the private sector and Hancock County Government. 

Mr. Gray asked what model do they have to fund construction.  Mr. Jensen stated Plainfield's project was funded by TIF dollars and operating expenses paid by lease agreements with all the partners.  In Fishers a private developer came in and built the building and lease agreements funded the rest.  They are working on options for this project.   Mrs. Walls applauded Hancock Health for seeing the need for this and taking the initiative to lead the project. 

Mrs. Bond shared the following Good News:

1.  MVMS 8th grade basketball team had an undefeated season for the second year in a row  with a combined 40-0 record and won the HHC and county championships each year.

2.  MVHS Sophore, Jeb Lottes, was selected for the Indiana All-State High School Band Festival and will perform March 13 at Purdue University.

3.  MV schools celebrated Black History Month by learning about influential African Americans and their impact on history.  Activities included decorating door, writing biographies, music exploration and daily trivia.

4.  MVMS and MVHS choir students spent a day working with Conductor Terion Cooper from Marion University.  

5.  MVHS wrestlers Carson Johnson and Devin Kendrex competed at the state finals. 

Dr. Edwards introduced Fortville Elementary's School Counselor, Krista Weber to spotlight their counseling program.   Ms. Weber has been the counselor for five years and came to the job with two goals, to be the school counselor she never had and break the stigma that is there.  She believes the counseling program she brings is not only for the whole child, but for every child.  How she achieves that is with four layers:  TBRI, Second Step, Additional Supports and Celebrations.  TBRI (Trust-based Relational Intervention) is an attachment based, trauma-informed intervention designed to meet the complex needs of all children and a lens through which we empower, connect and correct students.  It is implemented through neuroscience, nurture groups, snacks/wate, calming corners and life value terms such as "With Respect," "Use Your Good Words," "Consequences," to name a few.  Second Step is a evidence based resource to teach students social skills, emotional regulation and conflict resolution.  it is implemented through community time, 10 minutes per day, and resource for nurture group.  Additional supports include lunch groups (currently 75 students in 17 groups), school-based therapist, monthly lessons, parent communication and the counseling department website.  Ms. Weber feels parent communication is so important as she is the bridge between home and school.   Celebrations include Friday student shoutouts and Student of the Month.  Ongoing celebrations include positive referrals, classroom rewards, kindness challenges, 12 Days of Caring, rewind rewards and grateful grams. 

Mr. Smedley presented Resolution 2022-13.  Due to a winter storm February 3-4, 2022, Mt. Vernon's campus was closed and limited to on-site work to only essential employees/functions.  This resolution provides a one time paid emergency compensation to classified employees who did not travel to and work on-site February 3-4, 2022 due to the winter storm.  It also provides for those employees who did travel to and work on-site performing essential functions, including maintenance and custodial on February 3-4, 2022 with payment at a rate of 1.5x the employee's regularly hourly rate for the regular number of hours they would have worked that date had this emergency not occurred.  This resolution addresses only the February 3-4, 2022 emergency, thereby not creating any precedent for future emergency situations.  Mr. Gray made a motion to approve Resolution 2022-13 Emergency Pay for Hourly Classified Staff (February 3-4, 2022).  Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Elkins requested the board accept two letters of recommendation from Moisture Management , our roofing project manager, for metal siding replacements at the middle school.  From the  savings from the current roofing project, he and Mr. Shelton have identified this as a priority.  He stated we have a base bid and an alternate bid that we will do all or some of the work, if it stays within the  budget.  This project was moved from the wish/want list to a definite need list.  He recommends the contract for this work be awarded to AAA Roofing & Sheet Metal, inc. for the amount of the base bid of $310,000.00.  Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the Contractor Bid for MVMS Metal Panel Replacements as presented.  Mr. Gray seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Mr. Dodd presented the 2022-23 Course Scheduling Handbook for Mt. Vernon High School along with a summary of the changes made to the handbook for the 2022-23 school year.  General changes include:  Information pertaining to ISTEP graduation requirement removed (ISTEP no longer administered after class of 2022) as the SAT will be given in its place; Page outlining new NLPS (Next Level Programs of Study) Courses and Pathway added; and Course offerings updated as outlined per the attached.   He noted several of the changes were course name changes. 

Mrs. Freeman asked if there had ever been a yearbook class offered.  Mr. Dodd responded he will be speaking with a vendor tomorrow regarding curriculum to offer a yearbook class and would like to offer,  at the least, a semester yearbook course next school year, eventually becoming a full year course.  Yearbook is currently held during SRT. 

Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the Mt. Vernon High School Course Scheduling Handbook for 2022-23 along with the presented changes.  Mr. Gray seconded, and the motion carried 3-0.

Dr. Shipley asked for approval to partner with Health Ed Pro for our Human Growth and Development Program.   In the past, the program was intended for Grade 5 students, but due to Covid, we have been unable to provide this program for the past two years.  Therefore, students in grades 6 and 7 will be offered the program this year.   The Facts of Life Program will used for Grade 5 students and Teen Talks (Lessons 1 and 2) for Grade 6 and 7 students. Parents of Grade 5 students will be sent a letter March 1st notifying them that their child is scheduled to participate.  They will be given the opportunity to view the materials March 8th through a virtual presentation.  If unable to join the presentation on that date, it will be recorded and the link shared for those interested in viewing at a later date.  Parents will have the opportunity to opt in or opt out of their student participating in the program.  A second notice will be sent to parents that did not respond to the first notice with the link to the materials presentation and again, the opportunity to opt in or opt out of their student participating in the program.   A third and final notice will be sent out after Spring Break with again the opportunity to opt in or opt out of their student participating in the program.   If parents choose to opt out of their child participating, an alternative academic activity will be planned for those students.  If  a parent does not respond after the third notice, it will be considered informed consent and the student will participate in the instruction.  The instruction for Grade 6 and 7 students will be held in Mid May and the same notices timeline as the elementary will be used along with the opportunity to opt in or opt out of the program.   As with all programs, lessons are age-appropriate and based on Indiana Code, Indiana Academic Standard for Health & Wellness, and National Sexuality Education Standards, and Mt. Vernon School Corporation's guidelines.

Dr. Shipley reiterated this program is nothing new, he is just asking the board's approval to partner with Health Ed Pros.

Mr. Gray made a motion to approve partnering with Health Ed Pros for the Human Growth and Development Program.  Mrs. Walls seconded.

Mrs. Freeman had concerns about the timeline for sending three notices prior to the already scheduled instruction dates.  Dr. Shipley will verify the timeline to send out notices and adjust dates if needed.

The motion carried 3-0.