Mr. Bond presented the Good News Report. 

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• Congratulations to Mt. Vernon High School as they were ranked a U.S. News & World Report “Best High School” for 2023. MVHS was named to the top 40% of the nation’s high schools and is now ranked 47th within Indiana. MVHS was ranked 16th in the Indianapolis metro area and was also the highest-ranked high school in Hancock County.
• MVHS Girls Cross Country student athlete, Hanna Hauser, broke the 5K school record at 18 minutes, 51 seconds.
• Both the MVHS Boys Cross Country & Girls Cross Country teams won their respective Hancock County titles.
• MVHS Boys Tennis won their county title for the fourth time in the last five season.
• MVHS Volleyball player, Ava Whitmore, earned her 1,000th assist.

Community Connections

• MVCSC is hosting free adult English classes to residents in Vernon Township. Several MVCSC teachers will be facilitating the course throughout the year. Special thanks to the Vernon Township Library who received a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Hancock County to make these classes available to our community.
• MVCSC hosted a successful job fair with 15 community members who received an interview to be an instructional assistant, custodian, or bus driver.

Noteworthy News

• Fox 59 featured a segment on the Best Counties to Raise a Family in Indiana, and out of 30, Hancock County was named #16. FES was highlighted, along with the Towns of McCordsville and Fortville.

Mrs. Stephanie Miller presented McCordsville Elementary Spotlight.   

McCordsville Elementary held the Boosterthon on September 14.   Themes were aligned with the character education being promoted at the school.   It started with the World Changer Workshop and had a goal to raise $20,000 for student programming and supplies. Each day leading up to the event had a theme.   Participation for the event included 83% of their families pledged to give to the event.   The event included a fun run, activities along the track and teacher activities. Total raised was $25,041 and is all profit.   Mrs. Miller and Mr. Edwards have agreed to be slimmed by the student body for reaching their goal. 

Mr. Smedley introduced Ms. Sarah Harris, Assistant Director of Teacher Education from Ball State University.  Ms. Harris shared information on the partnership between Mt. Vernon and Ball State.  The partnership is being supported from the Attract, Prepare and Retain grant by the IDOE.  Mt Vernon along with 14 other school districts in Indiana were chosen for this partnership.  Mt Vernon students will benefit by taking dual credit classes up to 30 hours through Ball State.     It will allow increased professional development with school and university relationship.  University students being in the school environment benefit from the relationship of Mt Vernon students and teachers though field experiences.  Ms. Harris introduces Amy.  She is a Ball State faculty member in the school district supporting professional development for students and staff.  This allows real time experience for Ball State students and a better partnership.  Ms. Harris presented Mt. Vernon with a banner recognizing the partnership.   

Dr. Parker stated he is delighted to have Ball State partner with Mt. Vernon.  Ball State has an outstanding teacher program and Mt. Vernon is appreciative to be a part of it. 

Mr. Gray asked for public comment.  No one was available to comment. 

Mr. Smedley presented the Collective Bargaining agreement for board approval.   He shared the CTA passed with a 98%approval.  He was appreciative of everyone who participated to make this process smooth for everyone.  

Mr. Edwards made a motion to approve the agreement.   Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion. 

Mrs. Freeman thanked the CTA.  She understand as a former teacher how stressful this can be to serve and negotiate with administration, she has great admiration for the team.   It was a long three days but she enjoyed being a part of the process and is happy to come to an agreement. 

Mrs. Walls shared her appreciation to Mrs. Freeman for serving on the committee this year representing the board.   Mrs. Freeman incite as a former educator helped give a different teaching perspective to the team. Mr. Gray also share his appreciation to Mrs. Freeman for her time. 

Motion carried 4-0 

Dr. Shipley presented the Business Math textbook for purchase.   The book was placed in the front office of the administration building.  No one was signed in to review it.  Dr. Shipley commented the cost of the book will be $40.   Dr. Shipley asked for approval to purchase the Business Math textbook. 

Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the purchase of the Business Math textbook.   Mr. Edwards seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

Mr. Smedley explained that every year each school is required to submit updated school improvement plan to the Indiana Department of Education.   Prior to submitting the board must approve the plan.  He introduced the principals to submit their plans to the board. 

Dr. Edwards presented Fortville Elementary School plan.  Dr. Edwards shared the three elementaries worked on their plan collaboratively.  He highlighted a goal from this committee was based on state ILearn assessment.   The agreed goal was a 55% pass rate in 3rd grade, a 60% pass rate in 4th grade and a 65% pass rate in 5th grade in ELA.  In math the goal was based on NWEA scores to increase to 73% of students reaching their mean score or better.

Mrs. Miller presented the McCordsville Elementary School plan.  The committee focused on NWEA scores.  The goal is for 70% of the students to meet their ELA scores from Fall to Spring testing dates.   Second area of growth identified is to increase instructional practices for teachers by evaluating effective teacher practices.  The third goal was to establish appropriate level programs for individual achievement goals when date indicates intervention is needed. 

Mr Turner presented Mt. Comfort Elementary School plan.   First focus is on ILearn ELA passing rate to increase by 6% points this year.   Second area of focus will be PLC at work orientation results on NWEA growth data.  Goal is to have 70% of the students meet or exceed their projected RIT scores from fall to spring in reading.   

Dr. Katz presented Mt Vernon Middle Schools plan.  The area of growth focused on having 100% of certified teachers watch a colleague's instruction video, visit a classroom and observe instruction.  The teachers will reflect and implement a practice in the classroom.   This practice will allow for higher levels of learning during PLC data reviews.   The second area of growth is to have 100% PLC teams ensure at least 80% of students master each Essential Learning as measured by the PLC team's common assessment.  

Mrs. Tharp presented the Mt. Vernon High School plan.  The first area of growth goal is to have 100% of teachers to observe another teacher, reflect on the observation and discuss with peers during the year.   the second will be to have 100% of teacher to establish measurable essential learning goals with their PLC teams.  The overall school-wide goal is for the work of the PLC teams to support school-side achievement goals to improve SAT scores in EBRW and math by 5% overall. 

Mrs. Freeman asked how it is decided to chose the teachers to help set these goals.   The principals explained that department chairs and other teachers which want to participate are included.   

Mr. Smedley explained the accreditation process these plans have to go through to be approved for Highly Effective schools.   He expressed his appreciate for the time the administrators and teachers have put into the plans.   Mrs. Freeman expressed her appreciate as well. 

Mrs. Freeman motioned to approve the school improvement plans as presented.   Mrs. Walls seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.  

Mr. Smedley presented information on the Resolution for an employee to join the Public Employees' Retirement Fund.   

Mr. Edwards motioned to approve the Resolution.   Mrs. Walls seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.