Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Mrs. Bond gave the good news report. 

School Accolades & Notable Activities

•  Many MVHS students attended the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state conference. Ten MVHS FCCLA students received 15 gold awards and one silver award. Also, the MVHS FCCLA department received the Indiana Game On Award.
• Congratulations to the MVHS Indoor Percussion group who won the “scholastic concert A” state title. This is the second time in MVHS’s history that the indoor percussion group has won a state title; the last time was over 20 years ago.
• The MVHS Varsity Winter Guard qualified for “Scholastic A” finals for the first time in school history. They started with 123 groups from around the world and qualified through semi’s and finished 7th at finals.
• Mr. James Cochran was named as Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Multiplying Good Indiana Advisor of the Year for Central Indiana.
• Congratulations to Karen Riesterer, MVHS FCCLA Teacher, for being named District Teacher of the Year, and also to Wendy Mayo, special education instructional assistant at MCE. who was named District Staff of the Year at the MVEF Gala.
• FES sent a team to participate in their first math bowl where they placed fifth out of 10 teams.
• George Burhenn broke a 39-year-old school record, running a 14.66 in the 110 high hurdles.
• MVHS students, Ahmed Saleh, Colin Strachman, Caden Cassada & Tristan Trevino finished 8th in the indoor state finals, setting a new indoor school record for the 4x800 meter relay.
• MVHS softball player Shelby Rakosky was in the running for Indy Star’s Player of the Week.
• MVHS student Eli Bridenthal was named to the 2023 Preseason All-state team for class 4A and Cameron Sullivan was named as a Rawlings-Perfect Game Preseason Underclass All-American player.

Community Connections

• The MVEF Gala was a huge success with over 350 attendees and over $140,000 raised. Thank you to to Renee Oldham, the MVEF board, Shannon Vierling, volunteers, and all of MVEF benefactors for supporting MV staff and students!

Noteworthy Media

• Three MVHS leads in the Legally Blonde musical performed live on Fox 59’s Indy Now show to promote the show. Indy Now, April 10th: Mount Vernon High School presents Legally Blonde the Musical!

Mrs. Laura Durig introduced Mrs. Lacey Groce, Behavior Analyst.   Mrs. Groce spoke on the presentation attached.  She worked on this report along side Mrs. Krista Weber, Behavior Specialist. She wanted to thank the behavior specialist and teacher for all their help.  She believes it has been a collaborative effort for the department with the improvements put in place.  Mrs. Grove is working with tier 3 SPED and Mrs. Krista Weber has focused on tier 1 and 2.   Mrs. Groce spoke regarding the incredible job Mrs. Weber had done to help improve Skyward usage with teachers. This will help the department transition better year to year and help each student and work better as a team. 

Mrs. Freeman asked about individual students needs check in/check out with breaks and what the procedure is.   Mrs. Grove discussed the 30 min fade out to check in and check out some students.  This has helped some students come to the conclusion they do not need this anymore.  The staff is working on relationships with classroom teachers. and students as they need.   Mrs. Freeman expressed her appreciation to this department and praised the good job they are doing.     

Dr. Shipley presented the report on the number of Kindergarten Roundup for this year.   A total 227 student registered. An average of 80 students usually register between Spring and the start of school. 

Mrs. Freeman asked why the numbers at Kindergarten round up and the Fall ADM had a difference in the numbers.  Dr. Shipley shared the advertising sent to encourage families to get registered sooner.   The younger families might not understand the importance for early registration for school planning or understand the process.  The district tries to do what they can to reach them.   Mr. Gray asked if out of district students were included in the numbers with application not completed.   Dr. Shipley replied the numbers provided do include out of district numbers. 

Mr. Elkins presented the updated information on the Property Tax Rate, Reassessment and Assessed Valuation.    He explained how the property tax rate is not just MV issue it is an involved complicated topic for all property owners.   Along with the tax increase, construction, tax reassessments and referendum all at once, Mr. Elkins put together this report and shared the information to better explain.    

Mrs. Freeman confirmed the $.12 proposed at the last meeting is not in addition to but is replacing what was there prior to make the rate the same?   Mr Elkins confirmed that was correct.  Mr. Elkins thanked the board for their time and appreciates their support.  

Mr Gray commented that realistically the reassessed value with at least 70% homes at tax cap and likely 80% is getting the 1% tax cap is impacting not only our entity and is caused by all tax rates.  If the schools were to give up their share then another governing body would be collecting and the homeowner will not see the difference.    Mr Elkins if no tax cap then our revenue could be higher as other

Mrs. Freeman confirmed without changes by legislature the schools will always be fighting the tax cap, Mr. Elkins shared without 15 to 20% of new rooftops annually and TIF growth which could impact the debt rate the school will most likely not see a change.  Mr. Elkins thanked the board for their time and appreciates their support. 

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Lindsay Walters, MES, Special Education - Resource Teacher
CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT
1. Brandon Taylor, MVMS Science Teacher
2. Jaclyn Nason, MVHS Band Director
CERTIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT
1. Katie Thompson,FES Special Ed Teacher, Admin to 53 A Teacher
2. Alissa Lockwood, MCE Principal to Asst. Director of Curriculum
3. Ashley Ridenour, Admin. Teacher to Special Education Preschool Coordinator
CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Rachel Fentz, Admin Community Relations Intern (MVHS ICE program)
2. Tony Coplin, MVHS Custodian
3. James Gish, MCE Custodian
4. Jacob Kessinger, MVMS Permanent Building Substitute
5. Elaine Myers, ALL RBT/BCABA
6. David Wiley, FES Custodian
7. Lori Katz, MVMS Principal
CLASSIFIED RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT
1. Ashley Glasco, MMP Secretary
2. Lisa Long, Food Service (Retired)
3. Ronald Jordan, MVHS Custodian
CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT
1. Hope Doyle, MES Office Assistant to MES 1st Grade Instructional Assistant
2. Brandy Burt, MMP - Reduction in hours
3. Jaquelyn Tecua, MMP Instructional Assistant to MMP Floating Instructional Assistant
ECA RESIGNATION
1. Carmisha Leary, MVMS Junior High Head Cheerleading Coach
2. James Cochran, MVMS Swimming Assistant
ECA RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Kurt Bayliss, MVMS, Vol 7th Grade Baseball
2. Mike Heniser, MVMS, Vol 7th Grade Baseball
3. Chris Vandergrift, MVMS, Vol. 8th grade Softball Coach
4. Denise Floyd, MVMS, Assistant Cheer coach to MVMS Head Cheerleading Coach
5. Courtney Zumwait, MVMS 6th grade Cheerleading Coach to MVMS Asst. Cheerleading Coach

Mr. Smedley presented the revised 2023-24 calendar and the new 2024-25 calendars for approval. 

The 2023-24 calendar was updated to allow April 8th to be a 2 hour early release for the total solar eclipse that will take place that day at around 3pm.   April 10 will be a regular release day. 

Mr. Edwards motioned to approve the school calendars as presented.  Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0

Dr. Shipley presented the textbook adoption request for the six math courses at Mt. Vernon High School for approval. 

Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the textbook adoption .  Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion.  Motioned carried 4-0. 

Dr. Shipley presented the 2023-24 updated course fees.   

Mrs. Walls commented that she appreciated Mr. Hamilton and the research he did to reduce the technology fees which allowed the fees to stay lower with the new math adoption to save our families money. 

Mr. Edwards made a motion to accept the course fees as presented.  Mrs. Walls seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.