Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

The Good News Report was given by Arianna Anouan, a 4th grade student at MES.  

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• Four MVHS students represented the Mt. Vernon district this month at the Indiana All-State Honor Choir event in Ft. Wayne. All State Choir is part of the Indiana Music Educators Association Conference and is a prestigious event where students completed a rigorous audition to be part of the 250-person choir comprised of statewide high school singers.
• FES received a 95% on the 2023 IREAD-3 assessment and was recently part of an elite group in the state recognized by the Indiana Department of Education.
• ENL teacher Haley Frischkorn received a grant from the Lilly Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program for “There and Back Again: A Teacher’s Tale.” This grant will allow Frischkorn to reignite the imagination by journeying through Middle Earth, visiting iconic sites in J.R.R. Tolkien’s stories, including hiking to “Mount Doom,” kayaking the Pelorus River and tour Hobbiton. The Endowment believes that through new experiences, exploration and reflection, educators can generate renewed energy in their careers, innovative approaches to teaching an educational leadership and thoughtful ways to encourage students’ creative thinking.
• Renee Oldham, the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation’s Executive Director, became one of the first education foundation leaders in Indiana to receive the Certified Education Foundation Leader (CEFL) designation. It was awarded by the National Association of Education Foundations, who has also asked Renee to present at their next conference.
• Three new alumnae members were inducted into the Mt. Vernon Athletic Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Johna Goff, Chad Kleine and Doug Peacock. MVHS Girls Basketball won against New Palestine to win sectionals for the fourth consecutive year! They played Lawrence Central in the regional championship this last weekend.
• Three MVHS wrestlers, Eli Broady, Devin Kendrex and Connor Bayliss, competed Saturday at Semi-State. Eli Broady and Devin Kendrex were named regional champions, and Connor Bayliss has achieved 100 varsity wins.

Community Connections

• Superintendent Dr. Parker spoke at the “State of Education” event at a packed Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon and shared our expected growth and future school configuration, among other positive aspects of MV.
• MVHS Essential Skills students continue to shine in their work-based learning with our community partners. Students are learning skills at a number of companies, including Meijer, Hancock Health Wellness Center, Goodwill, MVCSC Food Service and more.
• FES principal, Dr. Vince Edwards, testified to the Senate Education and Career Development Committee on Senate Bill 1. Dr. Edwards completed his dissertation on 3rd grade retention data and was an excellent representative for MV.
• The free ENL classes for adults began again on February 6. Several MV teachers are receiving a stipend from a Community Foundation of Hancock County grant that is helping our greater ENL community learn the English language.
• FES & MES collected hundreds of gently used shoes for the Changing Footprints organization. This organization provides shoes to homeless, disaster-stricken or underprivileged people locally and internationally.

Noteworthy Media

•  Fox 59 featured Mya Adams, MVHS senior and Lilly Scholarship winner, as well as MVHS English Teacher, Jordan Gerbsch, in a live segment sharing Mya’s website and QR code creation of mental health resources for students.

Mr. Stan Wilkison, Assistant High School Principal and Career Center Director presented the Career and Technical Education update. The initiative is to serve all students and look at increasing dual credit opportunities.   Pathways have been created for dual credit classes with 75% are CTE related.   There are now 17 different Career Pathways at the high school, four pathways are shared with other county schools.  These pathways can be found on the counselors website. Promotional course materials for each career pathway explanation have been developed.  All pathways have a three course concentration and it must be completed with a C or higher.  Courses, sequence of courses and , job opportunities with college or trade direction are all included. Mt Vernon is well ahead of the game developing pathways compared to other districts.  Mt Vernon will receive CTE funding for all students that participate.  Currently, 2931 dual credits have been earned with 720 certifications and $519,000 in program funding.  Eastern Hancock, New Palestine and Greenfield Central high school host other programs which give Mt. Vernon students more opportunities. 2027 is projected date to move in for the new career center. New logo for the career center was presented and programs in the new course book were explained.  The goal is to get these programs at capacity prior to moving into the new career center for growth. The pathways are created to get students ready for careers out of high school or more opportunities in college after high school.  Mrs. Freeman asked if the classes offered now will all move to the career center?  Mr Wilkison explained the pathway classes will stay at the high school but the programs will transfer to the new center once opened.  

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Alexiss Runion, MVMS FACS Teacher
2. Jenna Lee, MVMS 6th Grade Teacher
3. Jennifer Brown, MES Temporary Guidance Counselor
4. Aubrey Wilson, MES 4th Grade Substitute to 4th Grade Teacher
5. Ally Smith, MVMS Computer Science Teacher

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS
1. Jennifer Buchta, MVMS 6th Grade Teacher
CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Jennifer Manterfield, MVMS Prep Cook/Cashier
2. Rayann Lees, MVHS Permanent Substitute Teacher
3. Max Drury, FES High Intensity Instructional Assistant
4. Sherri Jenkins, Administration Food Services Substitute
5. Shawna Hubbs, FES Cafeteria Manager
6. Mary Kay Curran, MES Food Service
7. Brianna Hernandes, MMP Instructional Assistant
8. Danielle Wyble, MES SPED High Intensity Instructional Assistant

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT
1. Kim Hardie, MVHS Instructional Assistant
2. Brandy Burt, MMP Building Substitute Instructional Assistant
3. Renee Stevens, MVMS Secretary
4. Kimberly Belcher, MMP Cafeteria Manager
5. Lisa Fox, MES Instructional Assistant

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT
1. Melissa Shonk, MES Prep Cook/Cashier to Main Cook/Cashier
2. Asha Issak, MES Prep Cook/Server to Prep Cook/Cashier
3. Cristina Kreigh, MES Instructional Assistant to MES Temporary 2nd Grade Teacher
4. Phil Whisler, MVMS Long Term Substitute to High Intensity Instructional Assistant
5. Donna Archer, MVMS Food Service Full time to Food Service Part time
6. Angela Rafert, MCE Custodian to SPED Instructional Assistant
7. Angela Griffin, FES Custodian to Administration Custodial Supplies/Equipment Coordinator
8. Lisa Decker, FES Food Services to Custodian
9. Wyatt Parker, FES Custodian to Head Custodian

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Benjamin Boldt, MVMS 8th Grade Baseball Coach
2. Mallory Grogan, MVMS Middle School Assistant Track Coach
3. Olivia Morales, MVMS Middle School Boys Track Head Coach
4. Aaron Linn, MVMS 7th Grade Volunteer Softball Coach
5. Rob Hons, MVMS 7th Grade Volunteer Baseball Coach
6. Margaret Stanfield, MVHS Varsity Girls Track & Field Head Co-Coach
7. Josh Worth, MVHS Girls Track Assistant Coach
8. Lydgia Palmer, MVHS Varsity Girls Track & Field Head Co-Coach
9. Ben Gale, MVHS Girls Assistant Track Coach

ECA RESIGNATIONS
1. Olivia Morales, MVMS Middle School Boys Assistant Track Coach
2. Chandler Ball, MVHS Girls Head Coach

ECA CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT
1. Emilee Wright MVHS from Volunteer Assistant Cheer Coach to Assistant Cheer Coach (Winter)

LEAVES
1. Dustin Ritz, MVMS Paternity Leave (January 22, 2024 to February 9, 2024)
2. Shana Wolfenberger, MCE Family FMLA (March 6, 2024 to May 24, 2024)
3. Audrey Sorenson, MVMS FMLA (March 16, 2024 to May 30, 2024)
4. Sarah Hall, MVMS Leave of Absence (February 5, 2024 to February 20, 2024)

Mr. Elkins presented the demolition contracts for approval.   Mr. Elkins asked for approval of the demolition contract. Mr. Edwards motioned to approval the contract.  Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion.  Motioned carried 4-0.

Mr. Elkins presented the proposal for improvements to the Mt Vernon High School weight room.  The current room is at capacity and the improvements include removing stage area and adding better water facilities.   Mr. Elkins asked for the board for approval of the proposal.  Mrs Freeman motioned to approve the proposal. Mr Edwards seconded the motion.  Mrs. Freeman asked if the $14,000 the athletic department is paying  would cover the remainder of the project for these improvements?  Mr. Shelton explained the project in better detail on what each department has been asked for cover for all expenses.  Motioned carried 4-0.  

Mr Hamilton presented the chromebook purchase agreement for 2024.  He stated this is the second phase of updated chromebooks that was presented last year.   Mrs. Freeman made a motion to approve the purchase agreement.  Mrs. Britt seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 4-0.

Mr Hamilton presented the technology surplus and asked for approval to recycle. Mr Edwards made a motion to approve the recycling of the technology surplus.   Mrs. Freeman second the motion.  Motion carried 4-0.

Mr Smedley presented the Early Literacy Appreciation Grant. The Indiana General Assembly enacted legislation in House Enrolled Act 1001-2023, allocating funds to award cash stipends for teachers, instructional coaches, and other school staff employed in the classroom who are responsible for delivering literacy and reading instruction in kindergarten through grade three (3rd grade).   Mr. Smedley identified who would receive these stipends.  He explained all were employed last and this year and had to have an effective rating or highly effective rating.  For those employees that worked under 120 days last year they will receive 50% of the stipend. Mrs. Freeman motioned to approve the resolution. Mr Edwards seconded the motion.  Mrs. Freeman asked if this will be an annual grant?  Mr. Smedley explained he is not sure and recently just learned about the opportunity.   State has explained districts have until the end of March to issue these stipends.   Mt Vernon would plan to issue the stipend on first pay in March if approved.  Motion carried 4-0.