Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Mrs. Bond introduced 7th grader, Molly Cress, who was recommended by her principal and some of her teachers to share her favorite things about Mt. Vernon and proceeded to give the good news report.  

School Accolades, Notable Activities & Great News

• Congratulations to Mt. Vernon’s building winners for Teacher of the Year and Staff of the Year! The Mt. Vernon Education Foundation honors all building winners and will reveal the District Teacher and Staff of the Year at the MVEF's Black & Gold Gala on April 12.

                                    Building                                        Teacher of the Year                                        Staff of the Year

                                Administration                                      Drew Fountain                                               Melissa Montague

                            Fortville Elementary                                Madeline Seghers                                            Waunita Unutoa

                           Mt. Comfort Elementary                           Mackenzie Hatfield                                            Brittany Lenk

                           McCordsville Elementary                            Tracy Tolliver                                                Senaida Richwine

                            Mt. Vernon Middle School                           Deb Thomas                                                Sarah Clarkson

                            Mt. Vernon High School                                Yi-Fan Lin                                                        Tosh Mills

• Congratulations to our newly appointed Board of Trustees member, Stacy Nielsen, along with returning members Meghan Britt and Chad Gray, who were all officially sworn in during the January MVCSC Board of Trustees reorganization meeting.
• January is School Board Appreciation Month and we wanted to share our appreciation to all of our dedicated School Board of Trustees for their dedication to our school community and for always keeping our students at the forefront of their decisions!
• All Mt. Vernon High School students had the chance to explore their future and connect with over 20 colleges and businesses at their recent Career Fair. From exploring higher education options to discovering career pathways, MVHS students are taking big steps toward their goals.
• Various Mt. Vernon classes celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King and his message in meaningful ways, including the creation of a powerful MLK poster, discussions about how one person can make a difference, exploration activities like creating “I Have a Dream” vision boards, writing informational pieces about MLK, and crafting their inspirational speeches.
• MVCSC hosted a successful open interview event for substitute bus drivers and custodians on January 9.
• MVHS junior, Eli Broady, earned his 100th career victory in wrestling earlier this month.
• MVHS student, Addison Mayes, was the Hoosier Heritage Conference champion for the 100 backstroke.
• Congrats to Ella Hodnett, a MVHS student who finished third in the first IHSAA girls' wrestling sectional and advanced to regionals.

Noteworthy Press

• MV staff participated in an Indy Now live segment at WXIN Fox 59, in collaboration with our community partner NineStar. The live segment highlighted a promotional initiative in which NineStar will contribute a $100 donation to the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation for each new broadband account opened when the customer mentions Mt. Vernon during sign-up.

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Natalie Nolting, FES Temporary Counselor
2. Brad King, MVHS 1.25 FTE (Temporary)
3. Sarah Weaver, MVHS 1.25 FTE (January 27, 2025 - May 30, 2025)

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT

1. Joseph Anderson, MVHS Math Teacher
2. Patrick Fassnacht, FES Temporary Resource Teacher

CERTIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

1. Michelle Shepherd, MVMS Counselor to MVIS Counselor

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Saida Camarillo, FES Prep Cook/Dishwasher
2. Sarah Ortel, MES Permanent Building Substitute
3. Tiffany Shirley, MVCSC Substitute Transportation Driver
4. Antwan Jenkins, MVMS Portables Security IA
5. Tomas Dwyer, MVMS  MLL ICE Student
6. Christi Poag, FES High Intensity Instructional Assistant
7. Walter Meredith, Transportation Substitute Transportation & Trainee 

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS

1. Kaitlyn Zelepugas, MVCSC Life Center Instructional Assistant

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

1. Heather Archer, FES Food Service to MVHS Food Service 
2. Tasha Elhag, Transportation Sub to Permanent Route Transportation
3. Diane Johnson, FES Food Service 4.5 hours to 5 hours

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Joshua Sanchez, MVMS Technology Integration Specialist
2. Melissa Trowbridge, MES Technology Integration Specialist

ECA RESIGNATIONS

1. Joseph Anderson, MVHS Future Problem Solving (included in teaching resignation)
2. Joseph Anderson, MVHS Student Council (included in teaching resignation)
3. Tambra Bauchert, MVHS Department Head

LEAVE

1. Anita Benoodt, MCE FMLA  (Intermittent - January 17, 2025 - TBD)
2. Emily Arnold, MCE FMLA (March 5, 2025 - May 30, 2025)
3. Jennifer Sherbak, MVHS FMLA (Intermittent - January 6, 2025 - December 31, 2025)

The board had an expulsion appeal in an executive session prior to the board meeting. Mr. Gray made the motion to uphold the expulsion determination.  Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Smedley presented the 2026-27 school calendar for approval. Some adjustments were made based on teacher feedback as far as moving one of the work days at the beginning of the year to the second semester, as well as keeping parent connection day. This was the same as was presented to the board last year and is just being replicated for the 2026-2027 school year. Mrs. Freeman made a motion to accept the 2026-2027 calendar as presented. Mrs. Britt seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.  

Mr. Elkins reviewed the bids and asked the board to accept the bids as presented with permission to issue contracts. Mr. Gray made a motion to accept the construction bids and contracts as presented. Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. 

Mr. Smedley presented the course scheduling handbooks for approval. Mrs. Tharp presented the updates made to the overall course offerings and descriptions. Mrs. Freeman made a motion to approve the course scheduling handbooks as presented. Mrs. Nielsen seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.  

Mr. Hamilton reviewed the technology surplus and requested approval for recycling. Mr. Gray made the motion to accept the technology surplus disposal. Mrs. Britt seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.