Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• MVCSC Assistant Food Services Director Kasey Pasyk has been recognized as the Indiana School Nutrition Association’s Assistant Director of the Year.
• Yi-Fan Lin received the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association’s Secondary Teacher of the Year award.
• Es Cole, art teacher at MCE, was named Indiana’s 2025 Outstanding Community-Based Art Educator by the Art Education Association of Indiana.
• MVHS Best Buddies hosted a Friendsgiving celebration filled with food, fun, and friendship.
• MES first graders celebrated Thanksgiving with “Balloons Over Broadway,” parading their creations through the school alongside Captain McCord.
• Ms. Matusiewicz’s class at MES visited the Indiana Statehouse to hear First Lady Maureen Braun read a story and also had the opportunity to meet Governor Braun.
• MVHS Senior Luke Ertel was named a Naismith Boys’ High School Player of the Year Watch List member and recently reached 1,000 career points at MVHS.
• MVHS Senior D’Aaliyah Kemp was selected to play on the Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association (IHSVCA) All-Stars Volleyball team.
• MVHS soccer player Charlie Cole was named First Team All-State by the 2025 Indiana Soccer Coaches Association, and an additional 10 boys and 11 girls earned Academic All-State honors.
• MVHS delivered standout performances of Footloose: The Musical.
• MVHS students volunteered with Ms. Shepard to tutor MVIS students.
• The MVMS Spell Bowl team qualified for the state competition at Purdue University.
• Schools also hosted a variety of engaging classroom and schoolwide activities, including Book Buddies, first-grade Friendsgiving celebrations, Rock Your School, book tastings sampling six different genres, and a multilingual culture event bringing elementary and high school students together for food, fellowship, and shared traditions.
• MVMS student, CJ Weber, has written and self-published two books: Fourth Down and Running Back, a fictional and inspiring series about football players who lean on teamwork through their challenges.

Community Connections

• Schools across the district honored Veterans Day with meaningful programs and performances featuring groups such as FFA, choirs, and bands.
• The inaugural Turkey Trot, in partnership with MVEF, raised more than $12,000 to help reduce students’ overdue meal balances.
• FES fourth graders used a variety of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) tools to build a gingerbread replica of the Town of Fortville. Working in small groups, students researched assigned local businesses, prepared reports, and created matching gingerbread visuals.
•  MVMS students held a food drive, donating more than 1,200 pounds of nonperishable items to FARM.
• MVEF partnered with Family Leisure, Walmart, and other community supporters to fund and complete a staff lounge makeover at MVMS.

Dr. Parker presented Excellence in Leadership awards to

• Kasey Paysk - Assistant Food Service Director of the Year by the Indiana School Nutrition Association. 
• Yi-Fan Lin - Secondary Teacher of the Year for 2025 by the Indiana Foreign Language Teachers Association
• Es Cole - Indiana’s 2025 Outstanding Community-Based Art Educator by the Art Education Association of Indiana 

It is an honor to have these three staff members in attendance tonight to be recognized winning awards through their state organizations. 

Dr. Parker introduced Mr. Turner to share the Spotlight on School for Mt Comfort Elementary.   Mr. Turner fashionably dressed as a Buccaneer to share the report and update on Mt Comfort ELementary.   

Goal 1: Fostering a Sense of Belonging

• The school is creating connection through its "BUCS" values: Bright, Understanding, Courteous, and Successful.
• Recognition systems include Student of the Week, Student of the Month, and BUCS Class of the Week.
• Support systems include multiple check-in/check-out programs, weekly data reviews, behavior tech groups, various clubs, and counselor support.
• Special touches include a book vending machine for student birthdays, displaying achievements of past and present students, and having a therapy dog ("Miles") in the building.
• Goal 2: Elevating Student Learning (Comprehensive Learning Plan)

The school is tracking NWEA growth and progress for English Language (EL) students.

• A video was created to explain the school's culture, framed as a voyage with the "BUCS Code" as a compass.
• The adults are "lighthouses," the community is an "anchor," and the students' efforts are the "sail."
• This framework is designed to show students that they belong and that a full support system (the "crew") is in place.
  

New Program: "Sailing into Success"

• This is a 20-day program designed specifically for new students to help them acclimate.
• The program's goal is to ensure new students feel confident, supported, and ready to thrive by the fourth week. (Interpretation)
• Each new student is paired with the same staff member for morning and end-of-day check-ins to build a connection.
• Families of new students receive information packets, building tours, and regular check-in messages from the principal.
• The program has been very successful, with students who "graduate" from it continuing to check in with their mentors.

Review Goals and slide shows 

The board shared their appreciation on the environment established to create a sense of belonging. Dr. Parker thanked Mr Turner for establishing a belonging climate and culture and has enjoyed the post he has shared. 

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

• Judeline Alce, MVIS Temporary 6th Grade Teacher
• Larry Powell, MVIS Temporary 6th Grade Teacher

CERTIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

• Laura Parker, MVHS MLL Teacher to MVIS MLL Teacher

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS

• Demi Anderson, MVIS MLL Teacher
• Toni Powers, MVIS Essential Skills Teacher

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

• Joseph Thatcher, MVHS Permanent Substitute Teacher
• Luvina Flores, MVIS Food Service Worker
• Jessica Jones, MVIS Permanent Building Substitute
• MVCSC Non-CDL  Driver Position
• Andrea Stewart, MVCSC Substitute Bus Aide
• Neveah Carney, MVCSC Food Service Permanent Substitute

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

• Mark McGill, FES Custodian to Administration Building Custodian
• Kerry Hammett, MVCSC Sub Driver to Full Time Driver
• Sade Johnson, MVCSC Full Time Driver to Sub Driver
• Kari Traylor, MVCSC Flexible Route Driver to Perm Route Driver

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS

• Alex Hudson, MCE Custodian
• Diane Johnson, MVIS Food Service Worker
• Danielle N. Brewer, MVMS High Intensity IA
• Ashlea Nelson, MCE IA
• Alissa Canning, MVCSC Food Service Substitute
• Deborah Hinds, MVCSC Food Service Substitute
• Lauren Woodson, MES High Intensity IA

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

• Alexia Couch, MVIS 6th Grade Cheer Coach
• Aiden Kiner, MVMS Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach
• Spenser Taylor, MVHS Cheer Assistant Coach revision 

ECA RESIGNATIONS

• Ryan Kern, MVMS Computer Club (clarification from previous recommendation)
• Vince Lidy, MVHS Head Football Coach
• Anna Helmer, MVHS Cheer Assistant Coach
• Kayla Rutledge, MVIS Student Council 

LEAVES

• Audrey Sorenson, MVMS 8th Grade Science Teacher (January 5, 2026 - April 14, 2026)
• Christie Jester, MVCSC Bus Driver (November 17, 2025 - December 15, 2026)
• Lori Barnett, MCE Instructional Assistant (December 1, 2025 - January 19, 2026)
• Kathy Reed, MVCSC Data Steward (December 19, 2025 - January 29, 2026)
• Ann Shirley, MVCSC Accounts Payable (January 8, 2026 - February 18, 2026)

Thank you to our donors. 

Mr. Elkins is asked for approval of the lease with CitySwitch.  This lease will allow future considerations regarding the lease be approved by Mr. Elkins as needed. 

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

Dr. Parker presented the second reading of the updated policies.   Mr. Gray made a motion to accept the policies as presented.  Mrs. Britt seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0

Dr. Durig presented the tuition proposal.  Mrs Nielsen made a motion to accept the tuition proposal.  Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.