Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Mrs. Bond introduced her Ice Student Tinley to give the Good News Report.

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• Congratulations to Dr. Parker for being selected as the 2024 recipient of the Candice Dodson EdTech Trailblazer Award through the Indiana Chapter of CoSN, which is the Consortium for School Networking.
• Dr. Parker, in collaboration with Ratio Design, presented at the National EdSpaces Conference, highlighting how learning spaces can be designed to support and enhance innovative learning practices.
• All MVHS students enrolled in the Criminal Justice program recently received their Law Enforcement Academy Jail Officer Certification and three second-year students achieved their International Academies of Emergency Dispatch certification.
• FES created a delicious gingerbread replica of the town of Fortville using their STEAM skills (Science, Technology, Engineer, Art, and Math). Local business owners shared details about their companies with students, who then completed a report on their assigned business. The students also created graham cracker and icing models of the businesses, which were assembled to replicate the Town of Fortville.
• MVCSC hosted the annual Holiday Open House with near-record attendance. Visitors had a chance to win a door prize and enjoy a tasty treat with staff and retirees. We would like to thank our wonderful vendors who donated prizes and supported our staff!
• MVMS 8th-grade students completed the Walk on Water project. This hands-on initiative combined creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills as students designed and built devices to help one team member try to “walk” with the device across a pool.
• Congratulations to the select 7th, 8th and 9th grade band students who represented MV and participated in the Indiana Bandmasters Association All-Region Honor Band at New Castle High School. Congratulations also to MVHS senior Andrew Boldt for being recognized as a student-athlete with exceptional servanthood efforts.

Community Connections

• The MES choir and MVMS band participated and filled the McCordsville tree lighting ceremony with festive holiday music.
• The MCE Student Council is currently partnering with PTO and collecting items and making essential toiletry kits for families in need at the Ronald McDonald House.
• The NJHS 8th-grade students at MVMS organized a school-wide food drive to support the Fortville community. As an incentive, the top donating classes were rewarded with a donut party. Demonstrating remarkable generosity, MVMS students contributed over 37 boxes of canned food to the Fortville Area Resource Mission (FARM). Additionally, MVCSC Ambassadors conducted their own food drive, further supporting FARM with additional food donations.
•  Dr. Parker hosted a “Traveling Talks” session at McCordsvilles Coffee at the Crossing, providing community members with an opportunity to enjoy breakfast while engaging in meaningful conversations.

Dr. Vince Edwards introduced the new FES Robotics Team, which is participating in the VEX IQ competition. Mrs. Thorla, the STEM teacher and sponsor, reported on the team's progress, highlighting their hard work in preparing for the competition. The team, consisting of 5th graders Lincoln, Leah, Addie, Dorian, Mason, and Elliott, demonstrated their robot to the board, which was built using 120 pieces from the kit. The competition will take place on February 8 and 15. Mrs. Freeman inquired about the possibility of the team returning to share their results, and Mrs. Thorla invited the board to visit FES to see the arena and observe the students' learning.

Mr. Smedley introduced Mrs. Lockwood to present the Teacher Evaluations Reports. Mrs. Lockwood explained that the evaluation formula is at 100% and detailed how it is calculated. She highlighted the domains used during evaluations and observations, noting that a group of teachers and administrators updated Domain 2 to make it easier to track. She also shared the number of teachers who will be given TAG. The board thanked her for providing the updated information.. 

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Abigail Thornburgh, FES 3rd Grade Temporary Teacher
2. Patrick Fassnacht, FES SPED Teacher
3. Tim Richey, MVHS Temporary Biology Teacher

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Cell Phone Stipend, Each Building Head Custodian & Custodial Supervisor
2. Terri Rees, MVHS Custodian
3. Ernesto Leon, MVHS Custodian
4. Veronica Gaskin, Behavior Resource Instructional Assistant
5. April Kirby, Food Service Cashier/Prep Cook
6. Ellen Heidorn, MVHS Instructional Assistant
7. Brigitte Smallwood, All Occupational Therapist
8. Emily Snider, All Building Technician Webmaster Supplement

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS

1. Lindsey Edwards, Registered Behavior Technician
2. Marienet Tolliver, MMP Secretary
3. Marianne Besett, Food Service Substitute
4. Hannah Baldwin, MES Permanent Sub 
5. Hannah Baldwin, MES Instructional Assistant
6. Mikayla Taylor, MES Instructional Assistant
7. Keasia Bush, Registered Behavior Technician

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Heather Smigielski/Abigail Kern, MES Team Lead Split (revised from original recommendation)
2. Jessica Gowin, MVHS Girls Track  Assistant Coach 50% of Stipend
3. Alex Similton, MVHS Volunteer Assistant Track Coach
4. Theotto Lillard, MVHS Volunteer Assistant Track Coach
5. Derek Cheek, MVHS Volunteer Assistant Track Coach
6. Jacob Kessinger, MVHS Assistant Boys Golf Coach

ECA RESIGNATIONS

1. Colin McAtte, MVMS Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach
2. Greg Brewer, MVHS Track Assistant Coach

LEAVE

1. Emily McMullen, FES Maternity Leave (January 6, 2025 - May 30, 2025)
2. Dana O’Bold, MCE Maternity Leave (January 6, 2025 - April 6, 2025)
3. Mike Maley, MVCSC Maintenance Medical Leave ( December 18, 2024 - March 18, 2025)
4. Tracy Hoyt, MVCSC Special Education Nurse Lead (November 15, 2024 - January 1, 2025)
5. Teresa Heckman, MES Maternity Leave (March 31, 2025 - May 30, 2025)
6. Erin Straight, MVMS High Intensity IA Medical Leave (December 2, 2024 - January 17, 2025)

Mr. Elkins presented 2024 End of the Year Budget Items.  Mrs Freeman motioned to approve the 2024 Budget End of the Year Items.  Mrs. Walls seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0

Mr. Elkins presented the annual line of credit for the 2025 school year.  Mr Edwards motioned to approve the annual line of credit renewal.Mrs. Britt seconded the motion.   Motion carried 5-0.

Mr Hamilton presented to information for the 2025-26 Chromebook purchase..  The chromebooks will be for the lower elementary grades.   Mrs Walls motioned to approve the chromebook purchase.  Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 5-0 

Dr. Parker shared the update to Policy C350.  The board will review a second reading at the January meeting.  Mrs. Freeman inquired about the section explaining performing community service and reviewing the administrative guidelines.  Mr Gray suggested the board discuss the information in more detail prior to the second reading in January.