Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

Mrs. Maria Bod gave the Good News Report

School Accolades & Notable Activities
MVCSC was awarded a $24,000 IDOE Robotics Competition Grant for 2025–2026. Teams will compete from FES, MVIS, and MVMS, led by STEM teachers Stephanie Thorla, Lisa Pluckebaum, and Cindy MacMillian. NineStar contributed the required $6,250 match, and IDOE announced 92 recipients statewide.
Once again, Mt. Vernon High School earned recognition as a U.S. News Best High School, ranking in the top 40% nationally and achieving strong standings in both national and metro-area rankings.
MVHS student-athlete Shawn Houser, who courageously returned to the soccer field after recovering from a traumatic brain injury and a car accident, celebrated a milestone recently by scoring his first goal of the season.
Mt. Comfort Elementary successfully hosted the Boosterthon Fun Run, reaching its $15,000 fundraising goal. MES is on their way to raising $22,000 for their Pirate Fun Run this week.
FES kindergarten students explored the role of community helpers, highlighted by a visit from local police officers who showcased their K-9 detection skills, along with demonstrations from other fields.
High school EMS students gained a unique hands-on learning experience with the Star Flight 5 crew from Rushville, who provide training in emergency helicopter operations and aid.
All elementary schools are utilizing their vending book machines as a reward for positive behavior, students’ birthdays or as another reward.

Community Connections
The Ambassador program kicked off with the first meeting at the Administration Building with our 29 members introducing themselves, a welcome from the MVCSC School Board, and enjoyed a presentation from the operations and transportation departments.
MVCSC partnered with the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation to host the 4th annual Staff SOAR Celebration at Fortville Elementary. Hundreds of staff members attended, enjoying food, prizes, and great camaraderie while celebrating the start of school together.
Schools’ counseling offices are gathering a variety of toiletries and items for their Care Closets. These donations support some of our students’ basic needs and are greatly appreciated.

Noteworthy Media
Dr. Parker was featured in the Hancock Economic Development Council’s podcast called Hancock on the Horizon Podcast. Dr. Parker highlighted MV’s opportunities and partnerships, as well as how the district prepares students for the workforce through real-life learning experiences.
WTHR covered the Mt. Vernon Youth Football League and their fundraising efforts to prioritize safety by investing in soft-shell caps for the players. Empowering MVCSC Through Giving
Thanks to the generosity of the Weil Foundation, MVHS is receiving grant funding in partnership with the Harnessing Hope organization to provide equine-assisted learning opportunities for at least three classes, along with a regulation activity in partnership with the Bring Change to Mind Club.

Dana, MVHS English Teacher and Jennifer (last name0 Harnessing Horse Equine donation MVHS a grant 3600 mobiek to equine sessions to students.  Therapeutic riding and driving based in trauma care and work with regulation.  Partnering with Essential skills and MLL classes also will be able participate Horse nervous system is larger that our own.  Regulation is helped by horses and learn to cope.  Hancock Community Foundation.  Derek asked if field trips are allowed.  Assertive energy moves a horse helps humans.   Hoping to grow this with Mt Vernon.  Teachers came out during lunch and noticed a difference.   Maria thanked them for coming.   

Mrs. Stephanie Miller, McCordsville Elementary School Principal and Mr. Brady Edwards, Mccordsville Elementary Assistant Principal presented the Spotlight on McCordsville Elementary.  The school’s focus this year is on fostering belonging and elevating student learning through the SAIL initiative.  Which stands for Safety, Assertiveness, Integrity, and Leadership. SAIL was developed by staff and piloted last spring with PTO support. Staff hand out doubloons daily, which students can trade for book vending machine tokens, and signage throughout the school reinforces positive behaviors, especially encouraging students to be confidently assertive. Counselor-led programs include bullying lessons, new student lunch groups, and January check-ins, while weekly administrative data reviews and tiered behavior supports, including reset rooms and sensory paths, are helping reduce behavior referral which are down 18% year-over-year and 20% for August specifically. On the academic side, teachers are using data binders, goal-setting lessons, and student-led conferences to empower students to track progress, set goals, and reflect on their learning, all while emphasizing a growth mindset and keeping families informed about support services.

   Spotlight is belonging and students tracking their own data.   Over a year time they developed along with data time developed a SAIL program that honored students who always do the right thing.   Mr. Edwards shared S is for Safe, A is Assertive, I is for Integrity and L is Leadership.  Program was piloted last spring.   Results were presented to PTO to help with funds to grow and launch the program.   A vending machine book has been purchased for students to learn awards.   Staff hand out doubloons each day to any students.  After a student receives 10 they can trade it in for a token to get a book from the vending machine.   New students are added to a lunch group when they start to make connections.  The counselor checks in with students during the year.  Behaviour techs meet weekly to review and skills groups are based on needs.   Steps for regulation are used.   Data this year referrals verses from last August  29% are down.   Growth and goals were shared.  See slides for data goals etc.  Students receive recognition for growth and helps fosters belonging 

Mr. Elkins presented updates on Roofing, HVAC, and MEP systems. He reviewed the data compiled over the summer for property insurance bids, noting that Emcor assisted in providing the necessary information for the process. He summarized the current status of each building’s maintenance needs and emphasized the importance of updating maintenance plans as the district grows and aligning projects with the budget. He also noted that the lifespan of several key items will soon require attention and wanted to ensure the board was informed of these upcoming needs.

Mr. Hamilton reported that the district uses Linewize to meet Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements for content filtering. Classwize enables teachers to restrict sites as needed during class. Unblock requests are handled through the Director of Technology. He noted that E-rate funding provides a 40% discount on technology purchases and requires an annual public review of filtering practices. Through Qustodio, parents can monitor student activity and pause Chromebooks used at home.   Board thanking Seth for all the things he does to keep students safe. 

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

Jessica Justice, MCE 1st Grade Teacher
Scott DeArmond, MVMS Resource Teacher
Camille Hull, MVIS Temporary 6th Grade Math Teacher
Kelsey Renbarger, FES Temporary Kindergarten Teacher

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

Colin Cress, ICE Student - MVIS Library Assistant
Hannah Hauser, ICE Student - MV Admin Finance Assistant
Charles Jackson, FES Custodian
Shatuana Campbell, Transportation Substitute Bus Aide
Matt Kidd, Transportation Trainee/Substitute Bus Driver
Reagan Lund, FES Apprenticeship USA 
Madeline Wilson, FES Apprenticeship USA
MVHS Registrar Additional Days 2026-27
MVCSC Registrar Extra Work Hours Compensation 
Davion Pillow, Transportation Trainee/Substitute Bus Driver
Susan Monday, MVIS Cafeteria Worker
Katelin Nading, MVHS Adjunct Teacher
Nicholas Speas, MVIS Essential Skills IA
Gavin McDonald, MV Admin Custodian  
April Kirby, MVIS Food Service Worker

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

Beth Leisring, Transportation Bus Aide to Substitute Aide
Noella Knots, FES ICE IA to MMP ICE IA
Linda Vodney, FES Part Time ENL IA to MCE Part Time ENL IA
CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS
Tatiana Miller, MES High Intensity IA
Nancy Lopez, MV Admin Custodian
Janie Ross, MVIS Food Service Worker
Sherry Christensen, MVIS Food Service Worker
Michaela Bova, MVHS Athletic Secretary
 

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

Mike McQueen, MVMS 8th Grade Baseball Head Coach
Katie Buzan, MVMS Co-Ed Swim Head Coach
MVHS 2025 -26 ECA’s
MCE 2025-26 ECA’s 
MVMS 2025-26 ECA’s
Brandon Johnson, MVHS Boys Soccer Assistant
Andrew Sebold, MVHS Girls Golf Head Coach

ECA RESIGNATIONS

Dustin Ritz, MVMS 8th Grade Boys Basketball Assistant
Troy Everett, MVHS Science Olympiad Coach
Mike Miner, MVHS Girls Golf Coach

LEAVES

Marysa Cummins, FES Kindergarten (October 6, 2025 - December 19, 2025)
Kathy Reed, MVCSC Data Steward (August 29, 2025 - October 1, 2025)
Erin Brown, MVMS Counselor (October 29, 2025 - December 19, 2025)
Emily Morrow, FES 2nd Grade (November 14, 2025 - March 13, 2026)

Thank you to all our wonderful donors. 

Mr Elkins shared the information for IPEP and asked for the board to approve the membership. 

Mr. Gray made a motion to approve the IPEP Membership.   Mrs Freeman seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

Dr.Parker reviewed the eight new policies for approval.  He also asked for policy D250 to be deleted as it is no no long accurate to use per state law.

Mrs.Freeman made a motion to approve the policies and delete D250.  Mrs. Nielsen seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0

Dr. Parker reviewed elementary enrollments moving Vitners Park and Tatom/Rockport back to Fortville Elementary School.  Mrs Freeman made a motion to approve moving these subdivisions to Fortville Elementary School.   Mrs. Britt seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0

Dr. Parker ask the board to approve Carla Nugent as the MVCSC board appointed member to the Vernon Township Public Library. 

Mr Gray motioned to approve the VTPL appointee.   Mrs. Nielsen seconded the motion.   Motion carried 5-0