Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Mrs. Bond shared the Good News Report.

School Accolades, Notable Activities & Great News:

• Several Hancock County schools participated in a challenge to see how many new or gently used shoes could be donated and recycled for Changing Footprints, which is a local nonprofit that distributed shoes to those in need. Mrs. Hahn’s Kindergarten class at Mt. Comfort stepped up in a big way, collecting an impressive 129 pairs and earning the title of class winner. Altogether, a remarkable 975 pairs of shoes were collected through this initiative!
• MES fifth graders “joined the workforce” for a few hours to simulate various jobs at their annual field trip to Biztown. The fifth graders prepared for weeks before the big event, which included units of study and even job interviews as they each served an integral part of their city during their time at Biztown. Congratulations to the MVHS girls basketball team for progressing to sectionals last week. 
• Eli Broady earned the honor of becoming the sectional champion in his weight class, and MVHS had 3 students who competed in the wrestling regionals. Both Eli Broady and Robert Dodson advanced to semi-state at New Castle on Saturday.
• Congratulations to the Mt. Vernon High School 1971 Final 4 Baseball Team, Christian Noble (2016), and Larry Heller ("Marauder One"), who were all inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Community Connections:

Eva Lear was present and read her winning essay about the American Flag.  She will compete at the state level. 

• The FES 4th grade partnered with the local American Legion chapter which hosted an essay competition about the American flag. The winners were Macklin Bullock and Eva Lear, who each received $50 and will move on to compete at the state level. Twelve additional students received $25, as well as a pizza and ice cream party. Eva Lear is reading her American Legion essay at the board meeting.
• Mt. Vernon proudly hosted the “I Love U Guys” Foundation safety training, where over 80 school personnel from 23 districts around the region took part in a hands-on reunification drill. This safety training was in partnership with the Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy.
•  Dr. Parker spoke at the Hancock County Chamber State of Education meeting and shared growth stats, new construction updates, the expansion of the preschool, our strategic goals, staff raises and retention, as well as our excitement for the future Hancock County Career Center. 
• The Mt. Vernon Education Foundation provides a way for tax-deductible donations to help cover overdue school lunch account balances through the Sharon Lucy Spears Angel Fund. As a self-sustaining program, the Food Service Department covers all costs without school funding, but MVCSC must cover year-end lunch account deficits, currently $33,000. To support this effort, Renee Oldham is presenting a $5,000 donation to Food Service Director Doris Johnson and Assistant Director Kasey Pasyk.

Renee Oldham, Mt. Vernon Community Foundation spoke about the donation and the family that helped contribute to the Angel Fund. Brittany Spears with the Sharon Lucy Spears Angel Fund presented the check to the Food Service Department.  Brittany shared about the mother and how she would always donate money to the students for book fair and lunch for students that needed it.   She thanked the foundation for allowing her to establish a fund in her mothers names.   This has allowed to comfort her and her family to continue her mothers generosity.   

Mrs. Brooke Tharp shared information on the counseling department along with Kacie Grimm, MVHS Director of Counseling.  Mrs. Tharp recognized Mrs. Grimm for her great work and leadership in this department.   Mrs. Grimm reported on the organization of the counseling department.  She described how is it organized by student and how a student can request a meeting.  

Last year the department had over 5000 students visit. Visits can vary from scheduling meeting, student needs and mentoring. Senior meetings take place in September and October to review preparation for graduation requirements. All  high school students have individual meetings in the fall.  A new area to welcome students in to the department was set up.  This space has a lot of information to help support student.  Students can come in a reference the materials without and appointment anytime they need to. The counseling department website has been updated to be more mainstream for parents and students.  The core scheduling handbook, transcripts and duties within the department have all been reviewed and updated to allow more support to students.  The departments goal is to have a 95% or higher graduation rate along with improved communication for students, staff and parents.  In August of 2025 a new data driven counseling program will begin.  This program will be student success focused and allow for goals for each student to be set.  

Mrs. Freeman inquired if the department still meets with students two time a year and how this is is accomplished.  Mrs.Grimm confirmed they have a program that show each counselor which student has been seen and how often.  Each counselor also has their own spreadsheet of their students.  Mrs. Tharp did share if students are not seen administration will send for them or find them in class to be sure their needs are meet and they see their counselor.  The department runs data sheets regularly to insure students are visiting. Mrs. Britt the commented the communication of the department has been helpful for her students. Mrs Walls thanked them all for coming and sharing what they are doing for students.  

Dr Shipley presented the Curriculum Adoption Report.   He shared the updates from the Science Committee, Novel Committee and MLL department. Adoption committee curriculum resources are evaluated each year for the board and parent to review.  In January the committees presented with vendors update to CTA.  General Genius online resources, McGraw Hill and Actively Learn were chosen for Elementary and Middle School.   The High School choices were McGraw Hill and Pearson.  These resources will be available via school newsletters along with resources being available at the administration office to review.  The novel committee thirteen parents and teachers.  Five novels are being reviewed and will be presented to board when completed.  MLL is piloting Vista and English 3D programs.   

Mrs Freeman inquired how parents can be part of a committee?  Dr. Shipley stated that notices are in all the school newsletters.  Those interested need to reach out to the contact listed to be part of the committee.  

Dr. Shipley stated he will bring the textbook information to the March board meeting for approval.   Mrs. Walls thanked him for his time reviewing and allowing this information to be available to parents. 

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Kristen Erwin, FES Temporary SPED Teacher
2.  MacKenzie Harrell, MVHS Assistant Principal

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

1.  Addyson Riffle, MMP ICE Student
2.  Sydney Anderson, FES Temporary Instructional Assistant

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS

1. Heather Archer, MVHS Food Service
2. Summer Oberneder, MCE Custodian
3.  Kathleen Oberneder, MCE Custodian
4.  Kimberly Smith, Food Service Substitute
5. Cathy Magee, Food Service Substitute
6.  Antwan Jenkins, MVMS Security IA

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Nick Stadler, MVMS Boys Golf Coach
2. Justin Goff, MVHS Math Future Math Solving
3. Mary Rinehart, MVHS FACS Department Chair (Interim)

ECA RESIGNATIONS LEAVES

1. Kelsey Wade, FES Teacher (May 5, 2025 - September 8, 2025)
2. Lisa Tappy, MVHS Treasurer (Intermittent February 27, 2025 - February 26, 2026)

Mr. Smedley presented Resolution 2025-03 Grade Level Reconfiguration and Onboarding of New School.  This resolution will add the intermediate school level to the corporation for the 2025-36 school year.  

Mrs. Freeman made of motion to approve Resolution 2025-03.

Mrs. Britt seconded the motion. 

Motion carried 5-0

Mr. Elkins presented the amendment for the construction manager contract.  AECOM started servicing Mt Vernon in November 2012.  The amendment will extend the contract through the preschool renovations.  

Mr Gray made a motion to approve the amendment to the construction manager contract. 

Mrs. Freeman second the motion. 

Motion carried 5-0.