Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• MVCSC hosted its End-of-Year Staff Celebration & Breakfast, where the Board of Trustees and administration recognized our retirees, years-of-service milestones, Teachers and Staff of the Year, and presented the Outstanding Career Achievement Awards.
• Mt. Vernon High School was ranked among the top 25 public high schools in the Indianapolis metro area, according to Stacker.com.
• The official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the new Fortville Elementary School welcomed hundreds of staff and community members. The event included two open houses to celebrate the new facility.
• MVHS proudly graduated 366 seniors in a successful commencement ceremony. Despite a few raindrops, it was a joyful send-off as students marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
• The Class of 2025 participated in the beloved Senior Walkthrough, donning their caps and gowns as they paraded through elementary school hallways, cheered on by excited younger students.
• Our seniors rolled up their sleeves and made a big impact across the district during Senior Work Day! From spreading mulch and pulling weeds to organizing classrooms and packing medical field trip bags to help keep younger students safe—this class truly showed what it means to lead by example.
• Hancock County Sheriff Brad Burkhart presented seniors Ella Sinn and Jailyn Stockton with the 2025 Indiana Sheriffs’ Association Scholarships.
• MVHS Athletics:
  • MVHS boys golf team won sectionals for the second year in a row.
  • Freshman girls track runners Talaya Broaders and Kat Simmons competed at state this year. Kat Simmons broke the school record and came in fifth at state in the 400-meter dash.
  • MVHS girls tennis team won sectionals for the 11th straight year. Individual players, Caroline Allen (singles) and Carmen Lugo/Kylie Brandes (doubles) earned individual sectional titles and competed in regionals.
  • MVHS boys track & field had a lot of representation and success at state: Sebastian Sprague finished fourth in the 400 M, sixth in the boys 100 M and second in long jump at state, the 4x400 boys team (Sprague, Cole, Washington & Hauser) finished 8th at state, Ahmed Saleh finished 6th in the 1600m, while Sawyer Ruminer finished 9th in pole vault.
• FES and MES hosted their beloved Kindy 500 events. MES also held a Flashback 500 for 5th graders who missed theirs during COVID.
• Mary Jean Kenk was awarded the Technology Department’s Tech of the Year.
• MCE halls were filled with Indiana legends during their Famous Hoosier Wax Museum event as students brought history to life—literally! The event deepened students’ understanding of Indiana history and also strengthened their research, writing and public speaking skills as the young historians dressed in costume to portray notable Hoosiers, from astronauts to athletes to artists.
• Former MCE elementary principal, Phil Davis, returned to MCE for “Donuts with Mr. Davis,” reuniting alumni and staff as they raised funds for Riley Hospital.

Community Connections

• MVHS senior baseball player, Andrew Boldt, worked to raise money and awareness for Down Syndrome Indiana in honor of his brother, Charlie Boldt, who has Down syndrome.

Noteworthy Media

• WRTV covered the MES Kindy 500 and Flashback 500.
• Upcoming senior Luke Ertel received extensive coverage with three articles from SportsIllustrated.com to Indy Star articles, for his success in the All-Star Basketball game, breaking records by scoring 36 points and leading the juniors to a 117-114 win over the seniors.

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

• MVCSC Administrator Contracts 2025 - 2026
• ary Adjustment
• Laura Durig, Advanced Degree Stipend
• MVMS Principal Base SalAshley Zornes, MVIS Art Teacher
• Brittany Nicora, MES 1st Grade Teacher
• MVHS Summer School Staff 
• Frances (Rose) Dissette, FES Kindergarten Teacher
• Lisa Cary, MVMS Band Director
• Demi Anderson, MVIS MLL Teacher
• Craig Robinson, MVMS 8th Grade ELA Teacher
• Sarah Cole, MCE Art Teacher
• Danielle Swardson, MCE Kindergarten Teacher
• Joseph DeLeo, MVHS English Teacher
• MVCSC Elementary Summer School
• Campbell Shaffer, MES 3rd Grade Teacher
• Megan Long, MES STEM Teacher

CERTIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

• Lorena Vaughn, MES IA to MES Essential Skills Teacher
• Emerson Ladig, MES 3rd Grade Teacher to 2nd Grade Teacher
• Brittany Oney, MES 1st Grade to 4th Grade Teacher 
• Byron Simpson, MVMS Behavior Resource Teacher to MVIS/MVMS Resource Teacher
• Brittany Braun, MES 3rd Grade Teacher to FES MLL Teacher

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS/RETIREMENT

• Lynette Huth, MVHS Biology Teacher
• Bram Wood, MVHS PE Strength & Conditioning Teacher

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

• Classified Staff Pay Raise
• Kathleen Oberneder, MVIS Custodian
• Summer Oberneder, Administration Building Custodian
• LaTasha Monfort, MVCSC Transportation Driver
• Joseph Griffin, FES Custodian
• Kylie Hyde, TBRI  Student Intern
• Tonya Bridgewater, Transportation Substitute
• Katie Buzan, MVMS Attendance Secretary
• Jeanette Goben, FES Permanent Building Substitute
• Emma Pena, MES Custodian
• Caroline Reine, MVHS ICE Student, Tech Dept. 2025-26
• Cason Zelencik, MVHS ICE Student, Tech Dept. 2025-26
• Jaycee Jones, MVMS ICE Student, Tech Dept. 2025-26
• MVCSC Transportation Compliance Training 
• Julie Vandergrift, MVCSC Routing Coordinator additional days
• Bob Martin, MVCSC Transportation Coordinator additional days
• Chamuel Cassady, MVHS Summer Custodian temporary additional work hours
• Brittney Marley, FES Instructional Assistant
• Lucy Hayes, FES Instructional Assistant
• Amrita Singh, FES Permanent Building Substitute
• Cyndi Siddiqui, MES High Intensity IA
• Lauren Woodson, MES High Intensity IA
• Angela Kovach, MVMS Part-Time Nurse

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

• Chyla Milliard, FES IA to FES Library IA
• Kathleen Bullock, MVMS Nurse to MVMS Part-time Nurse
• Jennifer Jones, MCE IA to MCE SPED IA
• Julie Andrews, MVMS Security IA to MVMS SPED IA
• Zoe Berry MVMS Food Service Cashier to MVMS Cook
• Diana Miller, MVMS Food Service Dishwasher to MVMS Server
• Laura Lyons, MCE, Title 1 IA to IA
• Jaclyn Vazquez, MCE IA to MCE Building Sub
• John Russell, FES Building Sub to MVIS Building Sub
• Denae Kendrex, FES High Intensity IA to SPED IA
• Kiley Shaw, FES HI IA to MVIS Behavior Tech
• Sarah Ortel, MES Perm Sub to High Intensity IA

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS

• Mary Jean Denk, MCE Building Technician (Retirement)
• Larry Powell, MVHS Administrative Assistant
• Tony Coplin, MVHS Custodian
• Dylan Bupp, MVMS Resource Instructional Assistant
• Jennifer Crays, MVCSC Finance Assistant
• Cara Dever, MCE IA
• Amber Garza, MVMS Food Service Cashier
• Angela Gilgrist, MVMS Food Service Server
• Brenda Edwards, MVCSC Transportation Driver
• Kristan Maynard, MVCSC Transportation Driver
• William Pierce, MVCSC Transportation Driver
• Christy Bovard, MVCSC Transportation Driver
• Cierra Hale, MVCSC Registered Behavior Tech  

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

• Miriah Scruggs, MVHS Student Government Advisor 
• Michael Ahearn, MVHS Concert Band Assistant Director 2024-2025
• MES, 2025-2026 ECA Positions

ECA RESIGNATIONS

• Graham McMullen, MVHS Boys Tennis Coach
• Miriah Scruggs, MVHS Student Government Advisor
• Troy Guthrie, MVHS Social Studies Academic Team

LEAVES

• Sarah Hall, MVIS Teacher (August 25, 2025 - December 22, 2025)
• Hillary Harriman-Arness, MMP Assistant (August 6, 2025 - August 15, 2025)
• Marie Day, MVHS Custodian (August 4, 2025 - September 30, 2025)

Mr. Elkins presented the Food2School Contracts and Cooperative awards for food service for the 2025-26 school year.  Mrs. Freeman motioned to approve the contracts. Mrs. Britt seconded the motion.   Motion carried 4-0 

Mr. Elkins presented the 2025-206 school lunch prices.  He shared the prices have not been adjusted for 3 years.  Mrs. Freeman motioned to approve the adjusted lunch prices.  Mrs. Nielsen seconded the motion.  Motion carried 4-0

Mr Elkins shared Resolution 2025-04 establishing a separate fund for the new career center.  He asked for approval to have the new account established to separate these expenses in the corporation accounting.  Mrs.Britt motioned to approve Resolution 2025-04.  Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.

Mr Smedley reviewed the updates to the Certified and Classified handbooks.  Mrs. Freeman motioned to approve the updates. Mrs. Britt seconded motion. Motion carried 4-0 

Mr Smedley shared the Health Services Handbooks.  There were no updates at this time only approval for the 2025-26 school year.  Mrs. Niesen motioned to approve the Health Services Handbook. Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion.   Motion carried 4-0 

Mr. Smedley introduced Bob Martin, Transportation Coordinator.  Mr Martin presented the new Transportation Handbook. He explained the handbook will be a good education and reference tool for drivers and staff.  He asked for the boards approval. Mrs. Britt motioned to approve the new Transportation Handbook.   Mrs. Nielsen seconded the motion.  Motion Carried 4-0 

Mrs. Walls shared her appreciation and hard work that went into putting this information together for our drivers and staff.