Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Mrs. Maria Bond gave the following report.   

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• Congratulations to the MVHS English Academic Super Bowl Team, consisting of Abby Flick, Penelope Dearth, Kayleigh Moran, Claire Nicklin, Cason Zelencik and their staff sponsor Alyson Zelencik, as the team earned State Runner Up at the Indiana Academic Super Bowl State Finals.
• All three MVHS Choirs earned Gold Performance ratings and overall Gold ratings at ISSMA Contest. The MV Singers and Women's Choirs also earned Gold ratings in Sight Reading. Congratulations to all our choral musicians, their accomplishments are well-deserved.
• We just received notice today that the MVHS Band of Marauders is a recipient of the Indiana State School Music Association All-Music Award for the 2022-2023 school year. Full department award winners demonstrate that both their band and choir departments have robust enough programs that students earn gold ratings in multiple events for both band and choir.
• Mt. Vernon Middle School and all three elementary schools retained their PLTW Distinguished School designation. MVMS was named a PLTW Distinguished Gateway School and all three elementary schools were named PLTW Distinguished Launch Schools.
• For the first year of the program, MVHS had several Criminal Justice students who earned their Jail Officer Certifications, Nation Incident Management Systems Certification and/or other law enforcement requirements.
• Also noteworthy, the MVHS Criminal Justice class also recently spent time picking up trash and sprucing up the MVHS grounds.
• Each month this semester, the MVHS ASL III class went to FES to teach 2nd grade classes various signs.
• MVMS placed first in the Hancock County Public Library’s Battle of the Books competition, with the team reading more minutes than their competitors.
•  MVHS Boys golf team became HHC champions, and boys track & field as well as girls track & field are county and HHC champs.
• MVHS student Andres Langston broke the school record and HHC meet record for the 400M run, in just over 48 seconds.
• DJ Marble, MVHS senior, broke the school record for running the 100M dash in 10.74 seconds.
• MVHS junior & Iowa commit, Nick Heitman, passed the school record with 17 strike-outs in a single baseball game. Out of 79 pitches, Heitman threw 64 strikes.

Community Connections

•  The MVHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes club hosted the Hancock County Fields of Faith Concert -open to anyone- with other Hancock County schools and featured free food, games, music & more.
•  Our Hancock County Youth Leadership team, consisting of representatives from all four Hancock County schools, spent volunteer time serving Changing Footprints, which provides new or gently-used shoes to underprivileged people locally, nationally and internationally.
•  Several 8th grade MVMS students experienced history as they traveled to Washington D.C, visiting the Arlington National Cemetery, Capitol Hill, MLK memorial, Mount Vernon, the American History Museum and more.

Dr. Parker presented the Indoor Percussion State Championship team. The performance was played for those in attendance. 

Mrs. Nason recognized the students, directors and team.  The percussion team is an extra circular group that competed in Scholastic 1 division.   This year the team only has one senior and is young.  Mr. Michael Ahearn, Band Director has been responsible for all the logistics and success of this team.   Marissa Turney, Percussion Director started in 2020.  Mrs. Nason appreciates her time and dedication to this group.  She commented on her outstanding teaching style and the successes she has brought to her students.

Mr Elkins presented the Hancock County Circuit Breaker for 2023.   The last board meeting he reviewed tax rates, levies, reassessment and circuit breaker.  It was projected operations fund would lose an estimated $4 million.  The actual came out to be $3.9 million still awaiting the June tax settlements.  The DGLF (department of local government finance) provided the report.   The cap loss is greater than the referendum levy that was estimated for year one.   

Mr. Elkins shared the HB 1499 Scenario for 2024.   Mr. Elkins believes this is 60% accurate but waiting to understand new legislation that just came out.    He presented trends will show 2023 verses the 2024 with the tax cap rate and increased cost of living. It is estimated .08 tax rate for the schools.  Legislation has made changes that could impact the schools.  The HB presented gave details that the referendum did not make significant increase to tax payers. 

Mrs. Freeman ask is we are more comparable to bigger district?  Mr. Elkins stated out district is more comparable to larger districts.  Of the 19 school in the Metro area we have the third highest cap impact of all the surrounding schools.  The other county schools are not being impacted as our school district.  Mrs.Freeman confirmed unless legislation changes Mt. Vernon will not see a change?  Mr. Elkins stated it could change but there are a lot variables and he is guessing there will be another $2 million loss next year.

Mr. Elkins shared a document from IASBO last week.  It shows the 5 year average of their change in property values.  Mt Vernon is in the 98% of changes in property values.  Enrollment Mt. Vernon is in the 96% increase or top 4%.  

Mr Elkins presented Resolution 2023-14 Authorizing the Execution of the Fourth Amendment to Lease.  No discussion, motion carried 4-0. 

 

Mr. Elkins presented Resolution 2023-15 Assigning the Construction Bids and Contracts.  No discussion, motion carried 4-0. 

 

Mr.Elkins presented resolution 2023-16 Resolution approving the ninth supplement to master continuing disclosure undertaking and issuance of the bonds.   No discussion, motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Smedley introduced Mrs. Miller to introduce new Assistant Principal Mr. Brady Edwards.  Mrs. Miller stated there were 61 applicants and she is excited to welcome him and his wife Laura.  Mr Edwards thanked the board for opportunity and excited to join MV community.  

Mr. Ecker explained the key traits they were looking for in a new boys basketball coach as good character, discipline and dedication as the three most important.  There were 44 applicants and the committee wanted someone who viewed MV as a community they wanted to be a part of.  He reviewed the format of the selection process. He introduced Mr. Bradburn as the new head coach for the boys basketball program.   Mr Bradburn has spent the last 6 years at Greenwood High School where he 13 wins a season.  Won 2020 Sectionals but the season was cut short with COVID.  He turned the program around after 18 years of not winning a sectional.  He believes in defense and effort and the committee felt that matched the MV basketball style the players are known for.  Coach Matt Painter was a reference and highly recommended him and his character to develop young men.    Mr. Bradburn stated he is really excited to be here and to see the players that came out to welcome him.  He thanked Dr. Parker, the administration and the school board for this opportunity.   He is excited to get started. 

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS  

1.  Brady Edwards, MES Assistant Principal  

2.  Brook Tharp, Recommendation for Administrator compensation 

3.  Dr. Lori Katz, Recommendation for Administrative compensation  

4.  Alissa Lockwood, Recommendation for additional contract days  

5.  Jean Feltman, FES 4th Grade Teacher  

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT  

1.  Bert Ross, MCE Special Education Teacher

 2.  Tambra Bauchert, MVHS Family and Consumer Sciences  

CERTIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

 1.  Jennifer Leavell, MVHS English Teacher to FES Media Specialist  

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS  

1.  Grace Yantes, Registered Behavior Tech

 2.  Katara Lasley, Transportation

 3.  Johnea Hill, Substitute Transportation  

4.  Shay Shipley, Summer 2023 Student Intern for Special Education  

5.  Crystal Captain, Administration Receptionist  

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATION/RETIREMENT  

1.  Cassie Evans, MCE Instructional Assistant

 2.  Elizabeth Fishburn, MCE Special Education  Instructional Assistant  

3.  Madyson Dallas, MCE Permanent Substitute  

4.  Rita Osborn, Administration Transportation Coordinator  

5.  Tamara Ruffner,  Food Service  

6.  Dawn Guthrie, MHS Food Service  

7.  Tiffany Haon, MVHS Food Service  

8.  Melanie Isakson, MHS Food Service  

9.  Michele Duchesne, MCE Instructional Assistant  

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT  

1.  Estela Salazar, MES Food Service to Custodian

 ECA RECOMMENDATIONS  

1.  Richard Barber, MVHS Spring Musical  

2.  Chrisna Halcomb, MVMS Dance Coach  

3.  Eric Harnish, MVMS Weight Training HD Coach  

4.  Kameron Bontrager, MVHS Volunteer Varsity Assistant Volleyball Coach  

5.  Anna Howard, MVHS Volunteer Cheer Coach

 6.  Joe Bradburn, MVHS Business Teacher/0Block Weights/Boys Basketball Varsity Head Coach 

 ECA RESIGNATION  

1.  Jeff Crague, MVMS National Junior Honor Society  

2.  Kelly Diehl, MVMS 6th Grade Girls Basketball Coach  

LEAVES  

1.  John Reifel, FES Teacher (April 3, 2023 - May 8, 2023)  

Mr. Elkins recommended Mr. Bob Hiday membership Mt. Vernon Building Corporation.   Motion will include the start of Mr. Hiday after Mr. Heller's signed letter of resignation.   Motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Elkins presented the safety and security agreement district wide. 

Mr. Gray commented  how he appreciated and was excited to have Veridus provide this opportunity for the corporation.  After reviewing the improvements that can be made at the new Fortville Elementary it will be very valuable to our corporation.  Motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Elkins presented new Fortville Elementary bid package and asked for approval.   Motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Smedley presented the updates for handbooks for 2023-24 updates.   

Mrs. Gale presented all the three Elementary updated changes. Mrs. Freeman shared her appreciation that the corporation has decided to have all three elementary school aligned with one handbook.   Mr. Gray appreciated the updates prior to the meeting to review.   

Mrs. Tharp presented the middle school updated changes.  Mrs. Tharp reviewed the food service, technology, attendance and safety policy changes.    

Mrs. Glaze presented the HS updated changes.  The high school has worked along with the middle school to make sure the handbooks have the same updates except for those that are high school specific.  The updates included technology, attendance, food service and safety policy changes.  The newest update was the doordash policy as it was becoming and issue with deliveries and the tobacco and vaping program.  

 

Mr. Smedley presented the resolution for establishing supplemental payment for exceptional needs for new 53 A Program.  Supplemental pay in the amount of $5000 working with students with exceptional needs.   This position will begin next school year. 

Mr. Smedley presented the resolution for establishing supplemental payment for $12,000 for the High School Band director.  The Band Director position will consolidate the marching band, concert band and band director roles into a single position under the new title Director of Bands. 

Mrs Freeman clarified if the three positions will be removed from the ECA positions.   Mr. Smedley confirmed those positions would not be filled and could not be removed until negotiations.   Mrs. Freeman commented as a Special Education teacher she appreciates the supplemental pay for the 53A teacher and asked if other districts are doing this? Mr. Smedley was not sure if other districts are doing this but the state allows this supplemental pay and the district thought it was important.  

Motion carried 4-0.