Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• MV students in grades 4 through 7 enjoyed the career exploration fair held at Mt. Vernon Middle School. They learned about diverse career paths like criminal justice, respiratory therapy, forensic science, banking and more.
• MVHS 9th grade students heard from a panel consisting of a variety of career professionals. They also listened to a speaker sharing the dangers of vaping. After the presentations, all MVHS students attended a career fair in the gym with over 20 companies, colleges and a variety of fields who all engaged with students.
• Congrats to MVHS students, Mya Adams and Misha Patel, who received the honor of being named a 2024 Lilly Endowment Scholarship finalist. Two students will be selected to each receive full tuition at an Indiana college or university, and we wish them the best of luck.
• MVHS Varsity Cheer advanced to compete at state.
•  MVHS has 33 fall athletes receiving the honor of being named to the All-Hoosier Heritage Conference team.
• Two MVHS runners competed in the state finals representing both girls and boys cross country. Congrats to Hanna Hauser and Colin Strachman for their great efforts.
• MVHS senior Adam Koon was the first Marauder to compete in the tennis state finals, finishing 24-4 for the season and a career record of 65-13.

Community Connections

• Thank you to the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation who held a Parent University with over 50 parents in attendance. Speakers shared resources on topics including digital safety, ENL resources, navigating support for your child, career development, engaging your child’s problem-solving skills, artificial intelligence, and more.
•  All Mt. Vernon schools honored Veteran’s Day in various ways, including special recognition during announcements and events with students’ relatives who are veterans in attendance. These events included hallway parades, individual veteran recognition, performances by the band and choirs, student government signs and more. 
• MVCSC administration and the MVEF held a reception for former Board of Trustees and MVEF emeritus board member, Tony May. Many former and current staff shared their appreciation for his leadership, commitment, and 11+ years on the Board of Trustees and founding MVEF board member.
• Dr. Parker hosted three Traveling Talks this semester, engaging with Fortville, McCordsville and Cumberland residents by enjoying donuts and coffee together. In addition, a reception was held for the 65+ Club prior to the Newsies musical.
• MV Athletics hosted the Mt. Vernon Track-or-Treat with over 800 costumed little Marauders enjoying the festivities. Many volunteers made this event a success, including the Athletic Boosters, teams, FCCLA, Best Buddies, Bring Change to Mind, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, Student Government, Gold Intensity Dance Team, Voice Club and the Baseball Club.
• The MVHS National Honor Society and the MVMS National Junior Honor Society volunteered their time by planting 67 trees for Vernon Township.
• The MVHS Food Pantry, supported by the MVHS essential skills students, is continuing to support our community by stocking and distributing food to our community

Mrs. Brooke Tharp, MVHS Principal and Mr. Mark Anderson, Hancock Community Foundation & CFHC Board of Directors shared the Lilly Endowment scholarship finalist.  Each school will have two student finalist in the top 15% of their class.  One will receive a scholarship for 4 yr degree in any Indiana university.    Applicants were reviewed anonymously.  Community professionals reviewed and voted for students that meet criteria.  Community service is major priority for students that are interviewed.  

Mark Anderson presented the awards to Mya Adams and Misha Patel.  

Mrs. Tharp spoke about Mya Adams.  She is the daughter of David and Mary adams   She plans to attend Notre Dame or Butler and major in Political Science, Psychology and Public Law.  She has volunteered with Fortville PTO volunteer, Best Buddies, in elementary classrooms and is helping in a counselor program.  She is involved in promoting mental health at MVHS.  Her interest is in helping students with addiction and believes "leave my school better than I found it"   She also teaches with younger students dance classes.  Mya is part of the top in her class and excels in Advanced classes.

Mrs. Tharp spoke about Misha Patel, daughter of  Chirag and Falguni Patel.  Misha would like to be a doctor who serves to provide empathy to others in the medical field. She is a 3 yr member of Y-Give, volunteers at Hancock Health Emergency Department, services through Youth Leaders of Hancock County, Lambswear, Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen and Fortville Community Center.   She serves in the Hindu Temple, student government, Asian Student Union, Math and Fine Arts Academic Teams and National Honor Society.   Mishaw excels in advanced and dual credit classes. 

Mrs. Tharp was very proud of these students and how the represent their community and school with compassion and dedication.

Dr. Katz, Mt Vernon Middle School presented the Spotlight on School Report on Marauder Machines the Robotics club. Lisa Pluckebaum and Cindy MacMillan lead the program for the middle school. Dr. Katz presented shared a video regarding the robotics competitions.  Robots are controlled by students and stack blocks during the event for points   She shard the preplanning involved for these competitions.  Dr. Katz shared how it is heartwarming to watch students from all areas come together to make this a team. Dates of the competitions were shared.

Mrs. Freeman asked how many students participate.  Dr, Katz shared that on average 27 students are in attendance but there have been as many as 60 at a meeting.  

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS 

1. Tracy Tolliver, Recommendation for Supplemental pay
2. Krista Weber, Recommendation for Zero Hour period
3. Mallory Grogan, MVMS PE Teacher
4. Katerina Blondet, MCE Temporary 3rd & 4th Grade
5. Benjamin Bradshaw, MVHS and MVMS Temporary School Counselor
6. Maria Wadsworth, MCE Temporary School Counselor

CERTIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT 

1. Lindsey Walters, MES Resource to 52 Behavior Resource Room.
2. Alexis  Luke, MES 50% Behavior Resource 52 to 100 % Resource Only
3. Nancy Lincoln, MES 50% Behavior Resource to 100% Resource Only
4. Aubrey Wilson, MES 4th Grade Substitute

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Angela Watson, Transportation Bus Driver
2. Magdelena Monteiro, FES Instructional Assistant
3. Andrea Juarez, MES Building Custodian
4. Cheryl Smith, MES Building Custodian
5. Jenna Lee, MES SPED Instructional Assistant
6. Andrew Ramsaran, Transportation Lead Mechanic
7. Jarrin Leisring, Transportation Bus Mechanic
8. Dontrell Conner, MCE DREAM Room Instructional Assistant 
9. Carol Ritter, MES Food Service Prep Cook/Cashier
10. Claudia Leon, MES Building Custodian
11. Jessica Smith, MES SPED Instructional Assistant
12. Harjinder Kaur, MES SPED Instructional Assistant
13. Leann Worley, MCE Food Service Prep Cook/Server/Dishwasher
14. Tara Burkett, MES Building Custodian

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT

1. Shannon Johnson, MES Food Service
2. Valeria Marquez, MES Custodial 
3. Estella Salazar, MES Custodial
4. Sarah Reyes, MES Instructional Assistant
5. Tripta Rani, MCE DREAM room Instructional Assistant
6. Todd Patterson, Transportation Bus Mechanic
7. KeAsia Bush, Administration Registered Behavior Technician
8. Brittany Oney, MES Instructional Assistant
9. Dwayne Jones, Transportation Lead Mechanic
10. Kelley Courtney, MMP Instructional Assistant
11. Easton Wampler, MVMS ICE Student
12. Geneva Stoner, FES Food Service
13. Larry Powell, MVHS Building Substitute

CLASSIFIED TERMINATIONS

1. Rodney Fite, MVHS Building Custodian
2. Michael Dovenbarger, MVHS Building Custodian

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

1. Lindsey Knight, MES Food Service to  MCE Food Service
2. Rockie Stamps, MCE Food Service Server to Cashier 
3. Brady Fitzgerald, MVMS ICE Student 2nd Semester

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

1. MVHS Extracurricular Assignments
2. Kam Bontrager, MVMS Head Track Coach
3. Kim Clark, MVHS Freshman Girls Basketball Coach
4. Michaela Bova, MVHS Freshman Girls Basketball Coach
5. Mallory Grogan, MVMS Assistant Swimming Coach
6. Kathryn Wilhelm, MVMS Assistant Swimming Coach
7. Timothy Gordon, MVMS Assistant Track Coach
8. Joe Schaeffer, MVHS Volunteer Baseball Coach
9. Steve Hiner, MVHS Volunteer Wrestling Coach

ECA RESIGNATIONS

1. Shaely Duff, MVHS Head Coach Girls Freshman Basketball

LEAVES

1. Lindsey Crow, Maternity leave November 22, 2023 to March 8, 2024
2. Jacob Rush, Paternity leave March 23,2024 to May 18, 2024
3. Emily Morrow, Maternity Leave December 4, 2023 to May 28, 2023
4. Lisa Fox, FMLA November 7, 2023 to December 20, 2023
5. Lisa Buchanan, FMLA November 28, 2023 to December 12, 2023
6. Kimberly Clark, Maternity leave March 1, 2024 to To Be Determined

Mrs Freeman thanked the donors who have supported these programs. Mr. Gray commented he appreciates the support and the variety of donations that are made to several organizations within the district. 

Mr. Gray spoke about the process of interviewing a new school board member.   It was pleasing to the quantity and impressive to see the quality of applicants.   Mr. Gray shared thoughts on Meghan Britt.  Her volunteer roles with the school district in several areas has given her a depth of knowledge of the current strengths and challenges.   Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve Meghan Britt as the new school board member.  Mr. Edwards seconded.

Mrs. Wall shared the process was not easy and explained what the board was looking for in candidates.  The board looked at their background, education priorities, community engagement, budgeting and financial knowledge, political neutrality, conflict resolution and collaboration. She was impressed by all the candidates and encouraged them to stay involved serving our students. It was very difficult process to go through and a hard decision.  Mrs. Freeman agreed the level of applicants was great to see.  Meghan's knowledge of programs and budgeting is what the board needed.  She encouraged all the applicants to stay involved and run next year during elections. Mr. Edwards enjoyed process and share any of the applicants would have made a good board member.  In the 2024 election year there will be three seats available.  

Mr. Gray shared Meghan Britt will be sworn in at the December school board meeting.

Dr. Parker presented the second reading of new policies and asked for approval. Mr. Gray asked for a motion to approve these Policies.  There was no discussion.   

Mr. Elkins presented the bus purchase quotes.   He shared this purchase is for the larger bus purchase for this year and next year.   It was made through education purchasing program as a large capital expense which was already approved.   He asked approval from the board. 

Mr. Gray confirmed the purchase was for transit buses?  Mr Elkins confirmed. 

Dr. Shipley presented the novel committee list request.  

Novel list process is set up to review the books teacher want to use in the classrooms. Teachers must fill out a request to the committee.   There are 50 committee members made up of 21 parents and 29 Educators of all grade levels.   Several questions are asked about the books but the focus is on how will the book enhance or help your classroom.   Dr. Shipley went over the list of books and asked for approval for these books. 

Mr Gray appreciates the effort and guidelines along with the process for reviewing and approving these novels.   Mrs Freeman appreciated having the books ahead of time to review.