Mt. Vernon Board of School Trustees Meeting

Dr. Parker shared special recognitions.

Michelle Dunahee - was recognized for her successful Unified Champions program and track team she started.  

MVHS Academic Teams  - two teams qualify for state championship, the Interdisciplinary Team won State Runner up.  Mrs Sherbak shared the success the teams had this year with the board.

School Accolades & Notable Activities

• MVHS proudly graduated 361 seniors during a successful commencement ceremony, celebrating the Class of 2026 as they embarked on their next chapter.
• MVCSC hosted its End-of-Year Staff Celebration & Breakfast, recognizing retirees, years-of-service milestones, Teachers and Staff of the Year, and recipients of the Outstanding Career Achievement Awards.
• Seniors returned to their elementary schools for the annual Senior Walk, inspiring younger students while reconnecting with former teachers and staff.
• During Senior Work Day, members of the Class of 2026 completed service projects across the district, demonstrating leadership and giving back to their school community.
• The Class of 2026 was recognized for its academic, leadership, and extracurricular accomplishments at Senior Honor Night, sponsored by the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation. MVCSC launched a new district promotional video featuring all schools and student voices from across the district.
• Congratulations to Dr. Lori Katz on being named the Indiana Association of School Principals District 10 Middle School Principal of the Year.
• District leadership continued its annual employee cookout tradition, celebrating and thanking staff for another successful school year during Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week.
• The MVHS Music Department earned the ISSMA All-Music Award and was one of only 16 schools statewide to receive the Total Department Award. Also noteworthy, the recognition marks the fifth consecutive year MVHS Band has earned an ISSMA music award and the eighth time in the past 10 years.
• MVCSC hosted two Unified Champion Field Days, providing elementary and secondary students with opportunities to celebrate inclusion, teamwork, and school spirit.
• Kindergarten students at McCordsville and Fortville Elementary showcased creativity, imagination and excitement during the annual Kindy 500.
• Students from MVHS and MVIS strengthened cross-grade connections through a semester-long pen pal program that concluded with an in-person meeting.
• MVMS students in the Preparing for College and Careers course participated in mock interviews with community volunteers to build workforce readiness skills.
• MVHS Athletics
• MVHS hosted the Indiana Junior-Senior All-Star Basketball Game with both Luke Ertel on the senior team and Max Vise playing on the junior team.
• MVHS was well represented in the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Game, with Indiana earning the victory and Luke Ertel being named MVP.
• The girls 4x100 relay team and Kat Simmons (400m) advanced to the IHSAA State Finals. Simmons placed 3rd in the 400m.
• The boys 4x800 relay team, 4x400 relay team, and Caden Cassada (800m) advanced to the IHSAA State Finals. The 4x400 relay team and Cassada each placed 3rd, while the 4x800 relay team placed 4th.
• Sebastian Sprague received the Robert S. Jonshaw Mental Attitude Award at the IHSAA Boys Track and Field State Finals.
• MVHS doubles partners Ivy Zhu and Avery Koon advanced to the IHSAA Regional Tournament. Additional good news and updates are included in the full board report available in the board portal.

Dr.Parker introduced Mrs. Tharp. MVHS Principal to share the report on Virtual Learning.  Mrs. Tharp shared the reasons why this program was started and what goals were set to met the program.  Mrs Tharp updated the board on how many students participated along with the year end results of the program.  She reviewed how credits are obtained along with attendance.  She thanked Mrs. Grimm and the counselors involvement and support to these families and the students. The board thanked Mrs Tharp for her report. 

Mr. Smedley introduced Krista Weber as the Assistant Director of Student Services and Wellness

Mrs. Weber thanked the board for the opportunity and shared how she feels honored to serve the district in this way. 

 

CERTIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

Administrators’ Contracts 2027-28

Elizabeth Barrett, MVMS Resource Teacher

Elementary Summer School Staffing 

Madison Lewis, MCE Elementary Teacher

 

CERTIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

Lorena Vaughn, MES Essential Skills Teacher to MES Resource

Krista Weber, MV Behavior Specialist to MVCSC Assistant Director for Student Services & Wellness

Shay Shipley, MCE Essential Skills Teacher to FES Essential Skills Teacher

 

CERTIFIED RESIGNATIONS

Mallory Hudson, FES Essential Skills Teacher

Ashley Hovermale, MMP SPED Teacher

Jake Rockey, MVIS 5th Grade Teacher

Byron Simpson, MVMS Resource Teacher

 

HC3 RECOMMENDATIONS

Kaylee Peacock, HC3 Administrative Assistant

Dale Bupp, HC3 Automotive Service Repair Instructor

Mary Rybak, HC3 Dental Careers Instructor

Patricia Weimer, HC3 Attendance Secretary

Stephanie Dearing, HC3 IA

Jacob Ottinger, Welding Instructor

Ryan Ragan, Automotive Collision Repair Instructor

 

CLASSIFIED RECOMMENDATIONS

Classified Staff Pay Increase 2026-27

Justin Vance, MVCSC Transportation Sub Driver

Yolanda Canady, MVCSC Transportation Sub Driver

William Hughes, MVCSC Transportation Sub Driver

Emily Stultz, MVMS High Intensity IA

Anita Benoodt, MCE IA

Transportation Stipend for Extra Duties

Nhu Nguyen, MVHS Custodian

 

CLASSIFIED CHANGE OF ASSIGNMENT

Joseph Griffin, FES Custodian to MVIS Head Custodian

Kaitlin Tackett, MVMS High Intensity IA to IA

Erica Davis, MES Library IA to MES P/T IA

Debra Tomlinson, MVMS Custodian to FES Custodian

Nygree Ogletree, MES Custodian to MVHS Custodian

Chyla Millard, FES Media IA to SPED IA

Larissa Plymale, MVMS Media IA to High Intensity IA

Richelle Elliott, MES Perm Sub to MES Temporary HI IA

CLASSIFIED RESIGNATIONS/TERMINATIONS

Nancy Graves, MMP Lead Instructor (Termination)

Allie Preston, MMP IA (Termination)

Vanessa Dwyer, MVCSC Registered Behavior Technician

Monica Nichols, MVHS Custodian

Bob Martin, MVCSC Transportation Coordinator

 

ECA RECOMMENDATIONS

Heath Luther, MVHS Girls Wrestling Head Coach

 

ECA RESIGNATIONS

Jake Rockey, MVHS JV Boys’ Basketball Coach (included above)

Leigh Anderson, MVHS Pit Orchestra & A Cappella

Troy Guthrie, MVHS Academic Team Co-Coordinator

Alyson Zelencik, MVHS Academic Team Co-Coordinator

 

LEAVES

Kacey Long, MVCSC Bus Driver (May 18, 2026 - May 28, 2026)

Eric Harnish, MVIS Teacher (September 6, 2026 - December 18, 2026)

Brady Edwards, MES Assistant Principal (July 14, 2026 - September 7, 2026)

 

   

 

Mrs. Renee Oldham from MVEF was in attendance to share the Foundations $16,000 to the angel fund.   Mrs. Oldham shared how she is happy the Mt Vernon Foundation was able to support the Angel Fun and thanked Kasey Pasyk for all her hard work.   

Dr. Parker reviewed the second reading of the policies.  Mrs. Freeman made a motion to accept the policies.  Mrs. Nielsen seconded the motion.   Motion carried 5-0.

Dr. Parker reviewed the B200 membership policy.  He shared the roles and expectations of the board.  He is asking the board review this policy in January every year at the annual reorganization meeting.  The policy will have the second reading in July. 

 

Mr. Smedley reviewed the updates to the staff handbooks and asked for approval.   He shard a few highlights in both handbooks.    Mrs. Nielsen made a motion to accept the staff handbooks changes.  Mrs. Britt seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. 

Mr. Elkins shared the update on the 2026-27 student meal prices.  There will be no increase for this school year.  He asked for approval of the 2026-27 meal prices.   Mr. Gray made a motion to accept the student meal prices.  Mrs. NIelsen seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. 

Mr Elkins shared information on the social media litigation agreement that several school corporation have joined. There is no cost to the district to join and the other county school have also approved.  Mr Elkins has asked for approval to join the class action lawsuit.  Mrs. Freeman made a motion to approve joining the agreement.  Mrs. Britt seconded.  Motion carried 5-0. 

 

Dr. Parker shared the agreement between MVCSC and Town of McCordsville and asked for approval for the grant. Mrs. Britt motioned to accept the agreement.  Mrs. Nielsen seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0