Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Mrs. Maria Bond gave the Good News Report

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• For Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week, the MVCSC leadership team grilled up hamburgers and hot dogs at each school to celebrate Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week—filling the air with the smell of gratitude and grilled goodness! PTOs also went above and beyond with snackle boxes, taco bars, sweet treats, classroom supplies, and encouraging heartfelt notes from students and parents. These thoughtful gestures reminded our staff just how valued they are—especially during this high-energy, end-of-year stretch.
• Kasey Pasyk, Assistant Food Service Director, has won Indiana School Nutritionist Assistant Director of the Year. for the 2024-2025 school year.
• Thomas Killen, a MVHS sophomore in the Criminal Justice Program through the Hancock County Career Center (HC3), earned Grand Champion in the State’s SkillsUSA Criminal Justice Competition at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. He is Mt. Vernon’s first-ever state champion in this category.
• Yi-Fan Lin has been named the 2025 CLTA-IN Teacher of the Year by the Chinese Language Teachers Association of Indiana, in addition to being MVCSC’s Teacher of the Year. She will be honored at the IFLTA Annual Conference in November for her exemplary teaching and contributions to Chinese language education.
• MVMS student Abi735 was selected as Artsonia’s Artist of the Week (grades 7–9) for April 20–26. A special award plaque and gift certificates from Blick Art Materials were presented to the student and teacher.
• Congratulations to MVHS, who has been awarded the Rural Early College Network grant, supporting expanded early college access for students.
• Ashton Wagner, MVHS teacher, completed 18 graduate credit hours in History and earned a dual credit credential in History throughthe STEM Teach Indiana and Teach Dual Credit Indiana program.
•  MVHS students led a meaningful service project, identifying a need for hygiene products, creating and presenting a proposal, and collecting over 1,000 items for students in need.
• Seniors Charlie Cross and Natalie Hudson were among 40 Indiana students who won a $500 scholarship award from the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.
• Dr. Kathryn Spangler has been recognized as a 2025 Music Teacher of Excellence by the CMA Foundation—an incredible distinction awarded to just 30 educators out of more than 2,000 nominees.
  • Additionally, she has been named a quarterfinalist for the 2025 Grammy Music Educator Award.
• Mt. Vernon’s 0–2 Early Learners Program received a $10,000 grant from NineStar Community Trust to support new furnishings.
• MVHS launched a new Unified Track Team, competing and working with several other larger schools to celebrate belonging and inclusivity. This has been an extremely rewarding experience, not only for the athletes and their peers supporting them, but also for their families.
• The preschool launched this year’s Unified Champions field day, and the elementary and secondary schools will have their events this week. These events foster kindness, inclusion, community and the importance of supporting ALL students.
• Michelle, cafeteria manager for our Mini-Marauder Preschool at MVCSC, was nominated as a Tyson Foods Hunger Hero—and she won a special gift in recognition of her dedication!
• At MVHS, the Class of 2025 was celebrated for their outstanding achievements at this year’s Senior Honor Night, proudly presented by the Mt Vernon Education Foundation. With future paths ranging from colleges and universities to career commitments, these seniors are headed for great things—and they’re doing it with an incredible $9,786,488 in scholarships earned!
• The MVIS Meet, Greet & Tour Night was a great success, drawing several hundred attendees eager to learn more about the programs, daily schedule, and exciting future plans as we prepare to reopen Mt. Vernon Intermediate School.

Community Connections

• Last week concluded this year’s series of “Traveling Talks,” where Dr. Parker travels once a semester to Fortville, Cumberland and McCordsville, offering a chance to share their thoughts, ask questions and connect.
• The 2025-2026 Ambassador Application is now open at www.mvcsc.k12.in.us/Ambassadors. Spaces are filling up so please encourage community members to apply.
• This is the time of year when all the schools have capstone events that bring in families, community members and all who support our students, including Pioneer Days, Wax Museum, Egg Drop, Kindy 500, T-Races, Spelling and Geography Bees, graduations for kindergarten, fifth grade, eighth grade and of course high school, PTO events, formal dances, prom, field days, and more.

Dr. Parker introduced the new Ripple Award to honor individuals who go above and beyond to inspire, influence and lead within the school district.  Dr. Parker  presented Mr. Kern with the first "Ripple Award".  Mr. Kern received this special recognition for his exceptional efforts in establishing and enhancing the new ESports program at the middle school, significantly enriching the student experience. He received grants from the Mt. Vernon Foundation and Ninestar.  Mr Kern highlighted the success of the two teams that were formed and competed.  Both team won the statewide club level tournament.  Teams will advance to the varsity level next year.  He shared how the program has fostered teamwork, competition and personal growth of the students involved. 

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

• Toni Powers, MVIS Essential Skills Teacher
• Stan Wilkison, Hancock County Career Center Contract Terms
• Samantha Tarapore, MVHS Social Studies Teacher
• Shiloh McFarland, MVMS 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher
• Andrea Arms, MVIS 5th Grade Teacher
• Casey Albright, MCE 4th Grade Teacher
• Charles Ehle, MCE 2nd Grade Teacher 
• Rebecca Rhodes, MVIS Teacher
• Alexis Shelton, MVIS Behavior Teacher

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT

• Elizabeth Jenkins, MCE Art Teacher (Retirement)
• Emily McMullen, FES Kindergarten Teacher
• Linda Steele, MVMS Resource Teacher
• Laura Knight, MVMS 7th Grade Math Teacher
• Camille Hull, MVMS 6th Grade Math Teacher
• Courtney Stroup, MVMS 8 Grade ELA Teacher
• Lindzy Lemmons, MVHS Spanish Teacher

CERTIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

• Yesenia Avila-Gentry, MVMS Essential Skills Teacher to Resource Teacher
• Paula Day, MVMS ELA Intervention Teacher to MVIS Reading Specialist
• Amanda Hill, MVMS Math Intervention Teacher to MVIS Math Specialist
• Christine Young, MVMS 6th Grade Teacher to MVIS Librarian
• Jordan Gerbsch, MVHS ELA Teacher to MVHS Counselor
• Lisa Wright, MVIS 6th Grade Math Teacher to 7th Grade Math Teacher
• Dave Merica, MVCSC Assistant Director of Operations to MVIS 6th Grade Math Teacher 

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

• Makayla Faulk, MVIS Instructional Assistant 
• Luke Shelton, Temporary Summer Maintenance
• Alexis Shelton, Temporary Summer Maintenance
• Hannah Baldwin, Temporary Summer Maintenance
• Deborah Nyiransabimana, MVMS Custodian
• Tracey Hudson, MCE Temporary Custodian
• Alexis Shelton, Elementary SPED Temporary Intern
• Lisa Stone, MVCSC Food Service Sub
• Sherry Christensen, MVCSC Food Service Sub
• Sara Ross, MVCSC Food Service Sub
• Justin Delk, MCE Building Tech
• Jason Marye, Transportation Sub Bus Driver
• Justin Green, Admin P/T Building Tech

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

• Deborah Hargraves, Food Service Sub to MVHS Food Service Server
• Sherri Jenkins, Food Service Sub to MVIS Food Service Manager
• Stephanie Goff, MVIS High Intensity IA to MVMS High Intensity IA
• Leah Armstrong, MCE Food Service to MVIS Food Service Server
• Christie Jester, MVCSC Sub Bus Driver to Permanent Route Driver
• Cheryl Allison, MES Custodian to MVIS Custodian
• Gary Rowe, MVHS Custodian to MVIS Custodian
• Benjamin Miles, FES Custodian to MVIS
• Leann Worley, MCE P/T Custodian to MCE Full Time Custodian
• Deacon Stiff, Admin P/T Building Tech to MVIS Building Tech
• Sonjonyae Curry, MVMS Secretary to MVIS Treasurer

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS

• Margret Stanfield, MVHS Treasurer/Attendance Secretary
• Marianny Vargas, MVMS Custodian
• Brian Decker, FES Custodian
• Jared LaFond, MVHS Permanent Building Substitute
• Svetlana Ledbetter, FES IA
• Grant Seach, FES Permanent Building Substitute
• Linda Harvey, MVCSC Transportation Driver
• Lisa Decker, MVCSC Custodian (Retirement)
• Maria Morales Perez, MVMS High Intensity IA
• Rachelle Wilkes, Food Service Sub
• Leann Worley, MCE P/T Food Service
• Andre` Williams, MVHS Color Guard IA
• Erin Walker, MVHS Custodian

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

• Brandon Duerksen, MVHS Volunteer Football Coach
• Rodney Rivers, MVHS Freshman Assistant Football Coach (1/2 stipend)
• MVHS Dual Credit Staff 2024-25 

ECA RESIGNATIONS

• Graham McMullen, MVHS Girl’s Assistant Tennis Coach 
• Bruce Kendall, MVHS Varsity Boys Cross Country Coach

LEAVES

• Jaime Wilson, MVHS Intermittent FMLA (March 2025 - March 2026)
• Mallory Grogran, MVMS FMLA (August 31, 2025 - November 23, 2025)
• Sharon Peterson, MVHS FMLA (May 6, 2025 - May 30, 2025)

Thank you to the Mt Vernon Athletic Boosters and Blaze 88 Foundation Inc. for their donation. 

Mr. Smedley introduced Krista Weber and Kacie Grimm to present two important proposals aimed at enhancing student safety and well-being. The first proposal focuses on the district’s QPR program, which provides state-referred suicide prevention training and includes implementing the QPR for Youth module at the high school level. This initiative will begin with select student groups next year, with plans to potentially expand to middle schools based on feedback and effectiveness. The second proposal involves a partnership with Zoe’s Place, a child advocacy center specializing in forensic interviews for children who may have experienced abuse or neglect. Katie, the director of Zoe’s Place, was present to answer questions. This collaboration will offer developmentally appropriate body safety presentations for students from kindergarten through 12th grade, meeting state requirements. For secondary students, customized video content tailored specifically to Mount Vernon will be developed with input from local administrators, school resource officers, and counselors. The initiative aims to create a continuum of care by connecting body safety education with Zoe’s Place’s support services.

Mrs. Nielsen made a motion to approve both proposals. Mrs. Britt seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Smedley introduced Mr. Edwards from McCordsville Elementary to share the Elementary Handbook changes.  The Elementary Handbook was updated with several key changes: the pre-arranged absences section was removed, and attendance language was revised to reflect the new policy allowing 10 parent-verified absences. Food guidelines were updated by replacing “baked goods” with “food and treats” and consolidating candy and gum rules under a single heading. Health and safety policies were revised to remove outdated school hours and introduce new attendance notification procedures, with the first letter now sent after four absences. References to “dentist and doctor appointments” were broadened to “medical appointments.” Textbook rental fees were eliminated, clarifying fees only apply if materials are lost or damaged. Student insurance procedures were clarified, stating non-payment is considered opting out. Language about charging for extra lunch items was removed since students can purchase extras at all schools. New sections were added outlining field trip chaperone responsibilities, teacher/coach chaperone duties, and general guidelines for artificial intelligence use. Finally, the head covering policy was updated to require approval from a principal or staff member, with exceptions for religious reasons..

Mr. Clarkson, Mt Vernon Middle school shared the updates for the Middle School and new handbook for the Intermediate School.  The Middle School Handbook underwent several updates, including the removal of sixth grade from the MS program and the introduction of a new behavior incentive system themed “Willy Wonka Gold,” featuring raffles and a golden marauder party for students with zero discipline issues. The behavior management table was clarified with an added column detailing discipline interventions for the current year. Field trip information was revised to provide general guidelines instead of specific itineraries, allowing for greater flexibility. Attendance policies and interventions were aligned with updated state laws and district practices to ensure consistency across schools. Dismissal times and transportation guidelines were standardized to match high school practices, including new rules prohibiting items in bus aisles. Technology use policies were enhanced based on stakeholder feedback and aligned across grade levels. Cafeteria policies were updated to ensure students without lunch money can still receive meals. Finally, athletic offerings were adjusted to limit boys’ and girls’ soccer to seventh and eighth grades, and extracurricular activity tables were updated to reflect current offerings.

Mrs. Tharp, High school principal shared the updates for the high school handbook. The High School Handbook was updated to clarify the technology acceptable use policy, including opt-out procedures, device repair responsibilities for those without protection plans, and policy timelines. Field trip guidelines were expanded to detail chaperone and teacher-coach responsibilities, especially for overnight trips. Food service policies and counseling department procedures were revised, with updated course handbook references. Changes were made to policies on class rank for the class of 2029, early graduation, and athletic eligibility, including new rules for online course additions requiring timely enrollment and completion benchmarks. Language was added specifying that Form 16 students are ineligible for extracurricular activities, and coaches may exclude students violating the drug and alcohol policy for the rest of the year. General guidelines for artificial intelligence use were also included.

Mrs. Nielsen made a motion to accept the handbooks updates.  Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Mrs. Tharp shared the Course Handbook amendments that introduced a new dual credit English course, "Introduction to Literature," and a “Preparing for College and Careers” course for the class of 2029 to meet state requirements. Virtual program guidelines were updated to allow students to switch between virtual and in-person learning at term start, requiring justification except for medical or case conference reasons. It was also clarified that the virtual student handbook incorporates the regular student handbook, but virtual students cannot participate in athletics or extracurricular activities, with the regular handbook serving as a reference for applicable policies.

Mr. Gray made a motion to accept the course MVHS handbook amendments. Mrs. Britt seconded the motion.   Motion carried 5-0.