Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Matt Strahl, Energy Advisor and Erka Whittington, Marketing Manager from Ninestar presented a rebate check for $10,846.70 from the POWER MOVES program in collaboration with Wabash Valley.  This initiative helped Mt Vernon have energy efficient lighting, lighting power density reduction, exterior LED lights, motorized supply fans and occupancy sensors to optimize power usage in the new transportation center.   

School Accolades & Notable Activities

•  For Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, MV leadership celebrated the staff at each school with a cookout. One staff member even transformed it into a drive-through event. This was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the heart and soul of our institution—our dedicated staff, who work tirelessly to support our students.
• The senior class of 2024 was recently recognized for their outstanding achievements at Senior Honor Night, which the MVEF sponsored. Collectively, the class earned $8.3 million in scholarships.
•  The MVHS students in Mandarin class experienced an amazing cultural exchange, as they recently hosted high school students from Taiwan for a week-long visit. This incredible opportunity allowed our students to connect with peers from across the globe, immerse themselves in Taiwanese culture, and practice their Mandarin language skills firsthand. Two students met their pen pals for the first time!
• Congratulations to MVHS for once again being ranked as a “Best High School” by the U.S. News & World Report. MVHS was ranked 47th in Indiana and 15th in the Indy metro area.
•  The MVHS Voice Club members, who are students advocating for tobacco-free lifestyles, were recognized at the Hancock County Tobacco-Free Coalition luncheon for their positive efforts in our schools and advocacy with state legislators.
•  Congratulations to the MVHS first-year criminal justice students who recently completed their National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications. NIMS guides government and the private sector guidance to prevent, respond and recover from crisis incidents. Each student also received 3 FEMA certifications through the Department of Homeland Security.
•  The MVHS Band of Marauders’ Wind Ensemble earned a gold with distinction rating and a gold in sight reading at the ISSMA State Qualifications.
•  The MVHS “Grease” musical may have had record attendance with a near sell-out for their Friday performance.
• The following teams are sectional champions: MVHS Girls Tennis team (for the 10th straight year) and Boys Track & Field (for the 4th straight year). Several individual Girls Track & Field teammates advanced to regionals. All three teams are also HHC champions.
• The MVHS Baseball Team was invited to play Lawrence North in the Victory Field Classic event downtown in Indianapolis which was a very unique experience for those students.
•  Ms. Ashley Gustin has been named principal for the upcoming Mt. Vernon Intermediate School.
•  Congrats to MES teacher, Abigayle Vest, for being selected to win a $500 Mastercard Gift Card from Indiana Members Credit Union as part of their National Nurse & Teacher Appreciation Week celebration.
• Both MES & FES kindergarten teams held a Kindy 500 where students decorated their “race car,” a.k.a. cardboard box, in this thoroughly enjoyable STEAM project, which has been nicknamed “The Cutest Spectacle in Racing.”
•  Congrats to Ms. Amber Andres who placed second in the quarter-finals for America’s Favorite Teacher contest through Readers Digest magazine.
• The MVCSC Transportation Department was treated to meals, prizes and fellowship during the Bus Driver Appreciation Day in early May. Thank you to the various vendors and supporters in the community who donated these appreciated items.

Community Connections

• Vernon Township Fire Department assisted the MES 4th-grade students with their annual egg drop science experiment.
•  22 amazing MV Ambassadors graduated in April as the third cohort of the program. These Ambassadors have been empowered with knowledge about MV school programs, departments and operations. The application to be a 2024-2025 MV Ambassador is now open and linked on our website.
• The inaugural Heroes for Health Fun Run, which supports the Tony May Legacy Fund through the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation, went off without a hitch. Runners, walkers and supporting vendors all enjoyed the event that was just wedged in between rain.
• Visiting therapy puppies graced the administration building in late April, providing cuddle opportunities for our 53A students, LIFE Center students, and the administrative staff.
• MES Assistant Principal, Brady Edwards, threw the first pitch to open the Mt. Vernon Optimist Club’s baseball season.

Noteworthy Media

• WTHR’s coverage of MES’s Kindy 500 made MSN national news.

Dr. Shipley shared the Teaching and Learning update presentation.   He discussed the Essential Learnings  plan based on the 2033 IDOE State Standards.  He explained how we determine what is Essential and PLCs are collaborative to help track the data.  Mrs Freeman asked more information about the data. Dr, Shipley stated if we teach it, we assess it and believe we teach it all.  Dr Parker stated this is first year we have ELs and he is excited that the teachers have the data to use for assessment. The teachers very positive and excited about this direction, the PLC institute helped with this guidance.  MV has developed standards to have each year and know how to move forward to grow each year.  Mrs Walls stated she is excited to see data next year to be able to compare it to the first year.  Dr. Shipley commented how the teachers set the goals for the students. 

Dr. Shipley presented the FACS Course for Interpersonal Relationships.  This class has been popular with students.  Mrs. Riesterer, teacher researched and asked for approval of a new text book.   The book will be advertised for review in Administration office and be brought to the June board meeting for approval. 

Mrs. Schiller presented the report for the Australia  and New Zealand Trip for 2026.  The trip will be a 12 day trip, June 12-25, 2026. 

Mrs. Freeman asked how many spots are available. Mrs. Schiller stated there are 20 guaranteed spots but will open the trip to as many students and chaperones that want to attend.  Mrs. Freeman asked if there was a chaperone requirement. Mrs. Schiller stated there will be one chaperone per six students.  Mrs. Schiller stated there is a  Shannon Schiller travel Facebook page that can be followed during all her trips for pictures and status of the group while they are traveling if anyone would like to follow.    

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS 

1. Jennifer Brown, MES Guidance Counselor
2. Sarah Duncan, District Deaf Hard of Hearing, PT
3. Grace Bieberich, MES 3rd grade teacher
4. Joseph Box-Jarman, MVHS & MVMS Speech Language Pathologist
5. Cristina Vasquez, MVHS Secondary ENL Teacher
6. Caroline Kirchmer, MES Third Grade Teacher
7. Emerson Ladig, MES Third Grade Teacher

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT

1. Laura McCrory, FES Teacher
2. Jill Bainbridge, MVMS SLP Teacher
3. Alex LeBoeuf, MVMS Teacher
4. Nancy Lincoln, MES Teacher
5. Leah Barrow, MVHS Teacher
6. Benjamin Batman, MCE Teacher
7. Kristen Perry, MVHS Teacher

CERTIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

1. Lindsey Knight, MES 1st grade to 5th grade 
2. Megan Devries, MES 3rd grade to Special Education
3. Brittany Oney, MES FMLA Substitute to 4th Grade Teacher
4. Sharon Tyner, MCE FMLA Substitute to FES 3rd Grade Teacher
5. Jaclyn Stephenson, FES FMLA Substitute to 2nd Grade Teacher
6. Grace Dean, FES FMLA Substitute to Kindergarten Teacher
7. Haley Emmert, FES Behavior Room(LRE 52) to Resource Room
8. Jill Chastain, FES 2nd Grade to Behavior Room (LRE 52)
9. MVHS Summer Band Director & Assistant Summer Band Director, additional days
10. MVMS Summer Band Director, additional days
11. Julie Wilson, MVMS Media IA to Media Specialist
12. Jennifer Pummill, MCE Special Education Teacher to MVMS 6th Grade Teacher

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Joe Reedus, Transportation Bus Driver
2. Brandy James, Administration, Early Childhood Learning Coordinator 
3. Kathleen Bullock, MVMS School Nurse
4. Erin Jordan, All buildings, Substitute health room assistant
5. Tracey Hudson, MES Temporary Summer Custodian
6. Debra Tomlinson, MVMS Custodian
7. Jacob Hudson, MES Custodian
8. Lexi Shelton, FES Temporary Special Education Student Intern (May 6 - May 23, 2024)
9. Alexis Shelton, Maintenance Temporary Summer Help (May 28 - August 7, 2024)
10. Hannah Baldwin, Maintenance Temporary Summer Help (May 28 - August 7, 2024)
11. Hilary Merica, All locations Custodial/Maintenance Temporary Summer Help (May 28 - September 5, 2024)
12. Luke Shelton, MVHS Custodial/Maintenance Temporary Summer Help (May 28 - September 5, 2024)
13. Leann Worley, MCE Temporary Summer Custodian (May 20 - August 2, 2024) 

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT

1. Emma Pena, MES Custodian
2. Bailey Smith, MMP Instructional Assistant
3. Steven Hampton, FES Instructional Assistant
4. Lexa Leroy, FES Instructional Assistant
5. Martha Milburn, FES Instructional Assistant
6. Denise Floyd, MS Nurse Assistant
7. Eric Towe, MVHS Custodian
8. James Gish, MVHS Custodian

CLASSIFIED TERMINATIONS

1. Adam Zins, Transportation Bus Aide

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

1. Hilary Harriman, MMP Instructional Assistant to MMP Lead Teacher
2. Teara Rogers, Administration Custodian to  MMP Instructional Assistant
3. Noah Tucker, MVHS Custodian to MCE Custodian
4. Administration Front Desk Receptionist, additional work days
5. Kathy Moynan, FES Food Services to Administration Custodian

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Betsy Glazner, MVHS Fully Credentialed DC Teacher
2. Troy Guthrie, MVHS Fully Credentialed DC Teacher
3. Lisa Terrell, MVHS Fully Credentialed DC Teacher
4. Lindzy Lemmons, MVHS AP/DC Partially Credentialed Teacher
5. Trinity Oertel, MVHS JV Volleyball Coach
6. Jarret Whitehouse, MVHS JV Boys Soccer Coach
7. Dean Suddarth, MVHS Freshman Boys Soccer Coach
8. Spenser Taylor, MVHS Assistant Cheer Coach (Fall)
9. Stacy Muffler, MVHS Volunteer Cheer Coach

ECA RESIGNATIONS

1. Alex LeBoeuf, MVHS JV Soccer Coach
2. Ashley Allen, MVHS JV Volleyball Coach

LEAVES

1. Kaitlin Baldwin, FMLA leave (8-2-24 to 9-14-24)
2. MaLinda Rose, FMLA leave (4-25-24 to 5-24-24)
3. Thomas Warner, FMLA leave (5-15-24 to 6-5-24)
4. Loren Smith, FMLA leave (6-18-24 to 7-17-24)

Mr Smedley introduced the three assistant principals for handbook changes.  Mrs Gale reviewed the Elementary Handbook changes.   There 10 changes for the Elementary Handbook.   Mr. Clarkson shared the updates for the Middle School Handbook changes.    Mrs. Glaze was present to share the updates on the high school handbook changes.  Mrs. Glaze stated she worked with Mrs. Tharp to be sure the course handbook and handbook were align.  New updates for state law policies were put in place.    Motion carried 5-0

Mrs. Furnas presented the updates to the Health Services handbook.  Highlighted information on student action plans were put in place to help in emergency situations. Motion carried 5-0

Mrs. Tharp presented updates for the course handbook.  Updates to the grading scales, weighted grades and dual credit courses were shared.   Mrs. Freeman asked about weighted grades and how to share with parents.  Mrs. Tharp will be sharing with parents and teachers will share with students in the fall   Motion carried 5-0 

Mr Elkins presented the first reading updates on Policy F250.