Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Dr. Parker introduced the Dr. Spangler and the winterguard. He congratulated for their IHSGC Class A Wishmeyer Division 2024 State 2024 Champions

Dr Spangler thanked the board for celebrating their success with them. She talked about the national competition which the Winterguard also placed 7th overall.  A video of the performance was played for all to see.  Mr. Freeman thanked the staff and students for their hard work. 

Mrs. Maria Bond gave the Good News Report

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• Congratulations to Mrs. Kelsey Rusk, 1st grade teacher at Fortville Elementary, for becoming the district Teacher of the Year, and to Mrs. Tonya Brown, a behavior tech at Mt. Comfort Elementary, for winning the district Staff of the Year. They each received a $2,500 stipend thanks to the Ryan Fry Excellence in Education Award through the MVEF. Mrs. Rusk will represent the district and compete to become the Indiana Teacher of the Year.
• Those awards, as well as all of the building winners, were recognized at the MVEF gala. We want to give a special note of appreciation to the MVEF for sponsoring our TOY & SOY, and specifically to Renee Oldham, for raising over $150,000 for our student and staff’s educational journeys.
• Thank you also to the MVEF for hosting the inaugural HOPE awards that recognized 19 students for their commitment to persevere and stay on a continuous path of improvement. The HOPE awards celebrate students of all grade levels and abilities who demonstrate remarkable qualities such as courage, kindness, perseverance, integrity, and more. Over 125 family members and staff attended yesterday’s event and celebrated these fine students.
• We’d like to congratulate both Phil Edwards and the entire MVCSC Board of Trustees for achieving a “2023 Commendable Governance Award” through the Indiana School Boards Association’s Exemplary Governance Awards. These awards are achieved by participating in continuous improvement and professional development activities focused on student success.
• Congratulations to MVHS Family, Career & Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) students who received the following Indiana FCCLA state recognition for 2024: GOLD award winners in Beyond the Basics and FCCLA Focus on the Basics are Cameron Demircioglu, Jazmin Henderson; Gold award winner in Career Exploration is Jazmin Henderson; Silver award winner in Career Exploration is Kristyn Filsaime; Silver award winners in Fashion Trend Board are Ariel Bennett, Ysabelle Ferreyra; Bronze award winner in Food Marketing is Cameron Demirciouglu.
• Nine Mt. Vernon High School students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society this month. The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Transportation Center was a success with several dignitaries and community members in attendance. Becky Johnson, a dedicated bus driver at Mt. Vernon for 42 years, was the official ribbon-cutter to open the building.
• Mrs. Andres, a 4th grade teacher at McCordsville, is in the top ten of her group for America’s Favorite Teacher. The winner will appear in Reader’s Digest, win a trip to Hawaii and receive $25,000.
• Christian Noble, MVHS Alumnus, qualified for the Olympic Trials with an 8:27 in the steeplechase.
• FES 4th grade student, Dorian Bennett, recently won two writing competitions with one being the prestigious regional “Favorite Indiana Governor” essay competition hosted by the Association of Indiana Counties.

Community Connections

• Traveling Talks was a delicious success with many Mt. Vernon families stopping by to chat with Dr. Parker at Libby’s Ice Cream in Fortville.
• The eclipse seemed to be a fun experience for everyone, based on our parents sharing pictures of their experiences on our social media. Thank you to Greenfield Dental Health Care for providing all our students and staff with eclipse glasses.
• Vernon Township Public Library created book-themed obstacles for teens & tweens to play mini-golf in the Mt. Vernon Middle School library.

Dorian Bennett from Fortville Elementary read his winning essay.  His essay won two writing competitions with one being the prestigious regional “Favorite Indiana Governor” essay competition hosted by the Association of Indiana Counties. 

Dr. Scott Shipley introduced Mrs. Haley Frischkorn, ENL coordinator to present an update on the ENL program at MV.   Mrs Frischkorn shared information on growth of the program and how the program has grow into a Multilingual Learners program.  Department pictures and development trainings were shared.  Information on events and family support opportunities were discussed.  A summer camp will be held this summer to support students and families.   Mrs. Freeman asked about the program and testing to be involved.   Mrs. Frischkorn discussed the percentage of student who test and stay in the program and the average time a student in involved.   She shared the support each school is receiving with staff and the growth opportunities each school has received.  Dr. Shipley thanked her and share is appreciation of all the hard work her and her team have done.

Dr. Shipley presented the Intermediate School Programming.  Dr. Shipley gave a background of how they researched the programming and held focused groups to develop the programming presented.  Information from Westfield Intermediate school, New Palestine Intermediate school and the old MVIS were researched and used as comparison to their plan.   A survey was produced and feedback from the participants helped in the recommendations being made.  The Programming Recommendations were shared for the Core Academics, Fine Arts, Athletics and multisport team sports will be moved back to 7th and 8th grade only ex. Soccer.  Mrs. Britt commented on the discussion of the soccer coaches to make this decision.  Dr. Shipley shared the information on the whole child focus, social and emotional supports, transitions used from elementary school to middle school and information on free time allowed for students at this age level.  The next step will be to take this information to the new MVIS Principal to work with staff to progressive forward.  

Mrs Freeman asked who sat on this focus group.  Dr. Shipley replied is was staff only.  

Dr. Shipley gave the Kindergarten Round up Report.   He presented the numbers compared to last year. Total numbers have increased about 31% from last year. 

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS 

1. Sharon Tyner, MCE temporary teacher for 4th quarter 
2. Brittany Oney, MES temporary teacher for 4th quarter
3. Ashley Gustin, MVIS Principal

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT

1. Leeann Sherman, MCE Teacher
2. Yareni Priego Nino, MVMS Teacher
3. Leslie Hallett, Physical Therapist
4. Makayla Gibson, MES Teacher
5. Margaret Price, MES Counselor
6. Savanna Chapple, MES Teacher
7. Anna Stover, MES Teacher

CERTIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

1. Haley Emmert, FES Resource Room Teacher
2. Jill Chastain, FES, Behavior Room Teacher

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Katherine Spain, FES Prep Cook/Server
2. Kimberly Smith, All buildings Cafeteria Sub
3. Rebecca Gibson, Transportation Bus Aide
4. Leah Armstrong, MCE Prep Cook/Server
5. Erica Davis, MES Library Assistant, PT
6. Mikayla Taylor, MES Instructional Assistant
7. Beth Leisring, Transportation, Bus Aide/Minibus Driver
8. Larry Powell, MVHS Permanent Substitute Teacher
9. Tenley Benz, Administration Community Relations Intern
10. Eric Towe, MVHS Athletic Custodian
11. Bailey Smith, MMP Instructional Assistant
12. Nicholas Jackson, Administration Custodian
13. Reagan Britt, Administration ICE Student, TBRI Intern
14. Linda Rasia Dani, FES Cafe Supervisor, PT

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT

1. Amanda Alton, MVHS Job Coach
2. Halee Evans, MMP Pre-School Assistant Teacher
3. Phil Whisler, MVMS Instructional Assistant
4. Varonda Hetrick, MVMS Cafeteria Manager
5. Max Drury, FES Instructional Assistant, HI 
6. Lindsey Calvert, MVMS Instructional Assistant, Security 
7. Kamillia Williams, MMP Instructional Assistant, PT
8. Angela Watson, Transportation Substitute Bus Driver

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

1. Laura Lyons, Title 1 Assistant
2. Megan Holbrook, MCE Special Education Dream Room IA
3. James Gish, Administration Custodian

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

1. MVHS, Fully-Credentialed Dual Credit Teachers

LEAVES

1. Nicole Abernathy, FMLA Intermittent Leave
2. Jaime Wilson, FMLA Intermittent Leave

Mr. Smedley presented a new plan for benefits consulting services.  He explained the process and stated they interviewed three firms for the new consultant.  After the interview round and process the decision was to go with LHD Benefits as the new consulting firm. 

Mr Edwards made a motion to approve the new agreement with LHD Benefits.  Mrs Freeman second the motion.   Mrs Freeman commented on how she she appreciated all the work that went into this for our staff.   Mr Gray shared the value in this process for our staff with the new agreement and also he appreciated the time taken to do a through job.  

Motion carried 4-0 

Mr Smedley introduced Ryan Abel, from LHD benefits and expressed his appreciation on him attending tonight.