Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Maria Bond and Rachel Fentz, Communications Intern gave the Good News Report. 

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• Shout out to MVMS social studies teacher, Jeff Crague, who has been selected to the position of David M. Rubenstein “Master Teacher of the White House History Teacher Institute” this upcoming summer in Washington. In this position, he will be helping to facilitate professional development with the education team at the White House Historical Association to 30 teachers from across the U.S. My focus will be on developing lessons geared toward middle school teachers and helping them to implement the material into their classrooms.
• Congratulations to MVHS Senior, Mya Adams was selected as one of the two county finalists for the Lilly Endowment Scholarship and will receive a four-year tuition at an Indiana college or university.
• MVHS Junior, Micah Gaston, earned a scholarship from the Commemorative Air Force to attain his pilot’s license as early as 17 years old.
• MVCSC held our second job fair in November. Approximately 25 people have attended our job fairs, and the last statistics showed that approximately half were offered a position at MV.
• MVHS sophomore, Hannah Hauser, was named cross country athlete of the year for the second year in a row. At state, Hauser placed the highest in the county at #82.
• Several MVHS football players received Honorable Mentions for the IndyStar ALL-USA Central Indiana high school football Super Team 2023: Joliba Brogan, Jr., Tre Jones, Sr., DJ Johnson, Jr.

Community Connections

• MVCSC hosted the Greenfield Ministerial Association as part of our community outreach efforts. The MVCSC holiday party was a success with a large number of staff, retirees and vendors joining the festivities and camaraderie. Over $5,000 in door prizes were donated from our generous school vendors.
• The MV Optimist Club and the Fortville Psi Iota Xi chapter hosted another successful Breakfast with Santa.
• The Winterfest parade in Fortville featured the MVHS Band of Marauders performing along the route.
• The MVHS Student Government recently volunteered with the Salvation Army to ring the bell and support their community.
• Renee Oldham, the Executive Director at the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation, was recently awarded the Outstanding Working Woman’s Award from the Hancock County Business & Professional Women’s Club.
• Representatives from the Vernon Township Fire Department spoke to the Human Services classes at MVHS sharing what a career in the fire service entails.

Noteworthy Media

• WRTV Channel 6 featured the Fortville Elementary Gingerbread Town of Fortville event.
• FES Principal, Dr. Vince Edwards, was quoted on his dissertation research about 3rd grade retention data in the Capital Chronicle news organization website. That article has been referenced in the Indiana Public Media platform and Chalkbeat educational news as well.

Mrs. Brooke Tharp gave a presentation on Mt Vernon High School.  Mt Vernon High School has a 1455 student enrollment.   Mrs. Tharp shared the demographics and student date.  Current graduation is 95.31% and offers 140 courses.  Course offerings are growing along with programs for students to be competitive in career pathways after graduation.  Mrs. Tharp shared the clubs, co-curricular activities and athletics students have to choose from.  All students are encouraged to be involved in at least one activity.  At the beginning of the year a club fair is held by student government to introduce students to opportunities.   Special programming is offered to students connecting them with Life Coaches, the Dean of Students and Counselors.  Two Mondays a month the school holds a program "Every Monday Matters" to help students learn about social emotional learning.   A career fair was held this year for all students to learn opportunities after high school.  Mrs. Tharp enjoys her staff of 50 classified staff, 80 certified staff and 11 Administrators.  She appreciates the dedication of the High School staff and knows they all work as a team to make a difference every day.  

Mrs. Alissa Lockwood presented to teacher evaluation summary.  The formula is 100% based on the rubric with four domains with multiple indicators that administration during observations and artifacts.  This formula has changed from last  year.   Last year there were 127 Highly Effective teacher, 156 Effective and 2 improvement is necessary.   

Mrs Freeman asked for more information on the core professionalism.  Mrs Lockwood replied last years formula had several standards that were required to be met and teachers were marked on if they met the criteria.   This years formula will allow for more points if you meet the core professionalism such as being on time, following school policies etc.  Dr. Parker asked Dr. Shipley could provide more information to the board in the next weekly update.   Mrs. Freeman asked if teachers are aware of the new rubric. Mrs. Lockwood explained the process Dr. Parker held with a group of teachers last spring to collaborate on the new rubric.   Teachers received the information at the beginning of the school year.   

Mr. Smedley spoke on the April 8th date change the board approved for an early release day due to the total solar eclipse.  The county has recommended schools close due to traffic and travelers in the area.   Mr. Smedley stated there will  need to be another adjustment. to the schedule.   The other three Hancock County schools and Mt. Vernon are looking at an E-Learning Day or a Profession Qualifying Day.  The only staff working would be building security, custodians or essential personnel to keep buildings and parking lots safe.  The administration prefers an E-Learning day but the state only allows three days a year unless made up.  The administration would like to wait until the first week of March to decide if this day will be an E-learning Day or a Professional Qualifying Day will be applied for.  Virtual training and other opportunities would be available to classified staff for that day.  Campuses will be closed for the day and the board will be consulted as the time approaches to decide.  Mrs. Freeman asked about if a Professional Qualifying Day and if it will be virtual.  Mr Smedley confirmed it will be virtual.  Mrs. Freeman asked if parking lots will be closed to public. Mr Smedley confirmed it will be virtual and the essential staff working that day will be monitoring those.  

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS 

• Sarah Favazza, MES Behavior Resource Teacher, MES Behavior Resource Teacher
• Kara DeCrastos, MVHS and MVMS Temporary Counselor
• Jayce Pilar, MVHS Temporary Social Studies Teacher
• Grace Dean, FES Temporary Kindergarten Leave Coverage Teacher
• Haley Frischkorn, ENL Coordinator Supplemental Pay

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS

• Benjamin Bradshaw, MVHS and MVMS Temporary School Counselor
• Daniel Cocks, MVMS Computer Science Teacher

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

• Candace Woods, FES Instructional Assistant (Title 1)
• Lilian Muhlenkamp, MVMS ICE Library Student
• Jon Davis, MVHS Custodian
• Michael Clark, MVHS Head Custodian
• Ryan Strantz, MVHS 2nd Shift  Custodian
• Keasia Bush, Administration Registered Behavior Tech 
• Dawn Parker, Transportation Bus Driver
• Marlene Meredith, Transportation Bus Driver
• Roberta Stackhouse, Transportation Bus Driver
• Ranbir Saggi, MES Instructional Assistant
• Marie Day, MVHS Custodian
• Hope Feltes, MCE Custodian
• Penny Hildebrandt, Transportation Bus Driver
• Tara Burkett, MES Custodian
• Jessica Smith, MES Instructional Assistant

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT

• Mary Wolfe, MMP Special Education Instructional Assistant
• Lourdes Legaspi, MCE Instructional Assistant FISH Room
• Kathryn, Wright MVMS Instructional Assistant

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

• Jenna Lee, MES  Teacher to Temporary 2nd Grade Teacher
• Jennifer Brown, MES Guidance Intern to Temporary Guidance Counselor
• Tabitha Hull, FES Custodian to MVHS Custodian

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

MVMS ECA’s 2023-2024

• Kevan Behlmer, MVMS Swimming Assistant Coach
• Michael Ahearn, MVHS Assistant Concert Band Director
• Scott Blanchard, MVHS Baseball Assistant Coach
• Chandler Ball, MVHS Head Girls Track & Field Coach
• Brett Johnson, MVHS Volunteer Baseball Coach

ECA RESIGNATIONS

• Kathryn Wilhelm, MVMS Assistant Swimming Coach
• Shanna Agner, MVMS Girls Tennis Coach
• Jerry Grill, MVHS Baseball Assistant Coach
• Nick Clarkson, MVHS Head Girls Track & Field Coach

LEAVES

• Courtney Stroup, Maternity Leave January 12, 2024 to April 1, 2024
• Jared Newton, Paternity Leave February 19, 2024 to April 15, 2024

Mr. Elkins presented the Budget End of the Year Resolutions for approval.   Resolution 2023-38 for encumbrances will be verified for State Board of Education year end reporting.  Resolution 2023-39  intra-fund transfers is internal protocol to balance

Mrs Walls made a motion to approve the Budget End of the Year Resolutions.  Mr. Edwards seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.