Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees Meeting

Dr. Parker recognized the Gold Intensity Dance Team for their IHSDTA State Runner up in Hip Hop, 4th in Jazz, 5th in Pom and the State Sportsmanship Award.  The video of their Hip Hop performance was shared. The board congratulated they and shared how proud they were of them representing MV so well at these events.

The E-Sports Team was in attendance and congratulated for winning State Runner Up in E-Sports.  Ryan Kern, coach shared with the board information on the competition and expressed how proud he is of this team.  

Brigitte Bussen, HR Coordinator was celebrated for her Region 8 IASBO Support Staff of the Year award.  

Dylan Freeman was recognized for his IHSAA champion Educator of the Year Award. 

Mt Vernon had two third grade students receive the Math Stars Program award for finishing in the top 2% of all students in the state in math on the ILEARN test.   Charles Parker from Fortville Elementary and Isaa Sanders from McCordsville Elementary were in attendance to be recognized for this achievement. 

Sophomore Hafsa Housseyni was introduced by Mrs. Tharp as a Riley Champion.   Olivia Osby from the Riley Children's Foundation honored Hafsa, a Mt Vernon student diagnosed with leukemia in September 2024, as a 2026 Riley Champion representative. A banner was provided to Hasfa and Mrs. Tharp for the MVHS to hang in for this honor.  

Denise Kirby, Jenny Hummerickhouse and Jenn Westfall from Psi Iota Xi were in attendance to donate a check to Mt Vernon for the Art, Music, Literacy, Theatre and Speech department for $13,900.   Jenn Westfall shared a few words on how the sorority help support these MV programs along with senior scholarships. 

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• Congratulations to the MVHS Gold Intensity Dance Team on earning State Runner-Up honors in Hip-Hop and receiving the Sportsmanship Award at the state competition. These accomplishments reflect the team’s talent, dedication, and outstanding representation of MVHS.
• The MVMS Esports Rocket League team made it to the Indiana Esports Network’s State Finals this weekend and came home with the Runners Up Trophy and medals.
• Third-grade students, Charles Parker (FES) and Issac Sanders (MES), qualified for the National Math Stars program by having scores in the top 2% in math on Indiana ILEARN. Mrs. Stephanie Miller
• MVHS student Jackson Ritter earned first place in the State FFA Swine Entrepreneurship Proficiency Award, recognizing his ownership and management of a swine operation. He will advance to the national competition.
• MVCSC Tech Team was recently recognized as the Team of the Year by The Indiana CTO Council. They were recognized as a technology team in K-12 education that has demonstrated exceptional collaboration, innovation, and impact in supporting their district’s mission through technology leadership. This award celebrates high-performing teams that go beyond day-to-day operations to drive transformative change, enhance cybersecurity, improve digital equity, and foster a culture of innovation within their schools.
• 26 community members graduated from the MV Ambassadors program, where they gained behind-the-scenes insight into all school levels, programs, operations, and departments.
• MVHS junior and cancer survivor Tyler Ralston was the sole recipient of the Research Mission Pillar Award through Blood Cancer United, formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He also received a scholarship associated with this honor. Judges evaluated direct impact on research funding, effectiveness in communicating the science and awareness, creativity in fundraising efforts, and sustained community engagement.
• 2021 MV graduate Tanner Koziol was drafted to the NFL by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was the 13th tight end selected.
• MVHS alumnus Chase McCain (Class of 2009), a swimmer and diver under Coach Tom Shaver who competed at state his senior year, is now serving as a Navy Master Diver and supported the Artemis mission recovery crew.
• MVHS sophomore Hafsa Housseyni was selected as a Riley Champion. She was diagnosed with mixed-phenotype acute leukemia during her freshman year and has been working to give back through her Riley Champions platform. Her focus has been to support the Riley art therapy program, which helped Hafsa and her family through this difficult time.
• Mrs. Brooke Tharp The MVHS Interdisciplinary Academic Super Bowl team earned State Runner Up at Purdue State Finals on Saturday! The Fine Arts team also had a strong performance, finishing as a state finalist.
• The MVHS Chamber Singers earned straight Gold performance ratings from all judges and a Gold in sight reading at the ISSMA Concert Choir State Qualifying event.
• The MVHS Music Department has been recognized as a "2026 Best Communities for Music Education" award recipient by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation! MVHS was only ONE of THREE high schools in Indiana to receive this honor! The Mt. Vernon High School Wind Ensemble advanced to the ISSMA State Concert Finals for the first time in school history—earning a spot among the top 16 concert bands in Indiana. Even more impressive, they are the only high school concert band in Hancock County history to reach this level.
• Mr. Mike Black has been named the new Athletic Director at Mt. Vernon High School. MVHS proudly hosted a Unified Track & Field meet demonstrating teamwork, encouragement, and shared experiences.
• Unified Sports continues to build inclusive school communities where every student is valued, supported, and celebrated. At FES, fourth-grade students put their creativity and engineering skills to the test during the annual Egg Drop Science Experiment with support from the Vernon Township Fire Department.
• At MVHS, fifth graders from local schools recently gathered for the annual D.A.R.E. Picnic, filled with demonstrations, teamwork, and friendly competition, including plenty of tug-a-war fun!
• Every Tuesday and Thursday, Officer Lee Carnish runs a push-up club at MVMS on the way to grade-level lunches, an opportunity for any student to get a few minutes of additional physical activity. Students have recently decided to add Knockout to their club and combine the two.
• Mrs. Rusk's 1st-grade class at FES had two very special visitors! MVHS state champions, (Mr. Basketball) Luke Ertel and Owen Daugherty, shared part of their morning before their school day started to talk with 1st graders about working hard inside and outside of the classroom.

Community Connections

• Psi Iota Xi, a local philanthropic sorority dedicated to supporting the arts, literature, music, speech, and hearing, donated a total of $13,900 to MVCSC programs. Contributions included support for art, music, and band departments; summer speech clinics; National Honor Society; theatre; and library books through recent flower sale proceeds. Their continued generosity positively impacts students across the district. Denise Kirby, Jenny Humerickhouse, Jenn Westfall
• Discover Fortville held its Spring Social event, and proceeds went to support MV students' overdue meal balances through the Angel Fund.

Dr. Shipley introduced Dr Edwards to present information on Standards Based Grading for MV.   He reviewed a proposal to expand standards-based grading to second grade beginning next school year, with possible future expansion to additional grade levels. Currently, kindergarten and first grade use standards-based grading, while grades 2–4 use a traditional A–F grading scale. The proposed change is intended to better align grading practices with the district’s focus on essential learning standards and provide clearer, more accurate, and more timely feedback to students and families. Under the system, academic performance would be measured using a 1–4 proficiency scale, while behavior and work habits would be reported separately as “Habits of Success.” Administration discussed implementation plans, including summer updates to Skyward, teacher professional development, and family communication efforts prior to the planned K–2 rollout in August. Potential challenges discussed included supporting parent understanding, helping teachers adjust instructional and grading practices, and ensuring consistency among classrooms.  Board thanked Dr. Edwards for work and time to present to them. 

Mrs Smedley introduced Mrs Tharp to share the employment of Michael Black as the new Athletic Director.   Mrs Tharp explained the interview process and introduced Mr. Black.  Mr Black stated he appreciated the opportunity and was thankful of the interview process as it allowed him to get to know everyone in detail.  He thanked the board for the opportunity and introduced his family that were attendance. He is thrilled to be a Marauder. 

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

Moumita Jefferies, MVMS Math Teacher
Michael Black, MVHS Athletic Director
Jennifer Highley, MES Essential Skills Teacher
Elizabeth Kereny, MVHS English Teacher
Mae Elizabeth Natoli, MVHS 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher
MVHS Summer School Teachers
Paige Hailey, MVHS English Teacher
Shay Shipley, MCE Essential Skills Teacher
Toiya Smith, MCE Teacher

CERTIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

Yesenia Avila-Gentry, MVMS SPED Teacher to MVHS Life Skills Teacher
Lindsey Walters, MES Resource Teacher to MES 2nd Grade Teacher
Alexis Hickman, MVIS 6th Grade Teacher to MVMS 7th/8th Grade Teacher
Nicole Day, MMP Beginnings Lead Teacher to MES Resource Teacher

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS

Mary Rinehart, MVHS FACS Teacher
Mackenzie Hatfield, MCE 2nd Grade Teacher
Jennifer Holmes, MES Kindergarten Teacher

HC3 RECOMMENDATIONS

Jason McKeeman, Adjunct Electrical Instructor

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

Ashlee Brown, MMP Instructional Assistant
Amelia Anderson, MMP CE Student IA 
Lexi Prefontaine, MMP CE Student IA 
Owen Daugherty, MVMS CE Athletics Assistant
Vizma Erkmanis, MVMS CE Student Lifeguard 
Sean Branigan, MVMS CE Student Lifeguard
Salary Increase for District Data Steward
Sherri Landrum, MVCSC Transportation Sub Driver
Anne Marie Anderson, MVCSC CE Behavior Support Intern
Dorea Reedus, MVCSC Non-CDL Driver
Tracey Hudson, MVHS P/T Summer Custodian 
Tracey Szczepanski, MVCSC Transportation Sub
Mason Meyer, MVHS CE Athletics Assistant
Elijah Lemmon, MVHS CE Athletics Assistant
Luke Guerre, MVHS CE Office Assistant
Madison Johnson, MVHS CE Office Assistant

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS

Rebeka Peters, MVIS Instructional Assistant
Susan Monday, MVIS Cafeteria Worker
Kim Benge, MVMS IA
Marilyn Eckel, MVCSC Food Service Sub
Transportation Staff Recommendation for Termination
Summer Oberneder, MVIS Custodian
Michael Williams, MVIS Head Custodian

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

MVHS Football Staff 2026-27
Grant Lamkin, MVHS Girls Tennis Assistant
MVHS Fall and Winter Cheerleading Staff 2026-27

ECA RESIGNATIONS

Brandon Ecker, MVHS Girls Tennis Assistant

LEAVES

Sarah Duncan, MVCSC DHH Teacher (June 12, 2026 - October 2, 2026)
Rayann Cain, MVHS Resource Teacher (August 3, 2026 - October 9, 2026)
MacKenzie Bowerman, MVHS Art Teacher (August 31, 2026 - November 30, 2026)
Andrea Juarez, MES Custodian (August 28, 2026 - November 20, 2026)

Thank you to all our wonderful donors. 

Mr. Elkins shared information on Resolution 2026-10, clarifying the district’s authority to recover fees from failed electronic payments. The update expands the existing bounced check policy to also cover invalid debit and credit card transactions, including situations involving lunch debt. Mr Gray made a motion to approve Resolution 2026-10.  Mrs Britt seconded the motion.   Motion carried 5-0.

Mr Elkins reviewed the authority of easement and presented information to approve the transfer of a small amount of real estate to the town of McCordsville for utility easements.   They easements are needed for planned work on 600 West, including the construction of a roundabout and a pedestrian crossing, which will benefit the school.  The document also grants the CFO authority to execute the agreement.  Mrs. Freeman made a motion to approve the authorization of easement.  Mrs. Nielsen seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Mr Smedley introduced the Assistant Principals to share the handbook updates. District proposed handbook updates for the upcoming school year were reviewed.. District-wide changes include aligning attendance language across county schools, clarifying parent notification procedures related to absences and the prosecutor roundtable process, and updating cell phone and electronic device policies to comply with new state legislation requiring devices to remain turned off and put away during the school day. Mrs. Gale presented the Elementary schools will implement the CHARGE card behavior system for grades K–6 to reinforce positive behaviors and improve parent communication. Mr Clarkson reviewed the Intermediate and middle school updates include revisions to the detention process utilizing instructional aides during early release Wednesdays.  Mr. Brandes share the addition of a middle school schedule change policy, and continued enforcement of strict cell phone expectations.  Mrs. Tharp reviewed the High school and virtual program handbook changes include updates to athletic supervision expectations for parents, revisions to scheduling policies, clarification of summer parking lot rules, and updates to virtual program attendance requirements. The virtual program will also require a meeting with counselors, parents, and staff before student placement.

Mr Gray motioned to approved the handbook updates.  Mrs. Britt second the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.   Mr. Smedley thanked the administrators for the assistance and sharing their updates.  

Mr Smedley reviewed the changes and updates for the Health services handbook.  Mrs. Freeman made a motion to approve the updates to the Health Services Handbook.   Mrs. Nielsen seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0. 

Mr Smedley asked Mrs Tharp to review the updates in the Course Handbooks.  Mr Gray made a motion to approve the changes to the course handbook.  Mrs. Freeman seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Dr. Shipley reviewed the report given last month for the 2026-27 Consumable Fees and asked for approval of these fees.  Mrs. Britt made a motion to approved the 2026-27 Consumable Fees.  Mrs. Nielsen seconded the motion.  Mr Gray did express his concern that the fees might price students out of the Arts program and asked if this could be researched in the future to ensure students can participate. Motion carried 5-0 

Dr. Parker shared new policy updates for review.   The second reading will be at the June board meeting.