The Mount Vernon R-V Board of Education held its Regular Meeting on Thursday, October 19, 2023. Below are some items of interest:
The Board was proud to recognize the MV-MVP recipient for the month of October. Logan Alumbaugh, MVIS Physical Education Teacher, was this month’s honoree. Below is the text of Mr. Alumbaugh's nomination:
- Coach Alumbaugh always has a smile on his face. He is just genuinely happy and is a joy to be around. His gentle manner with others garners great respect. Probably an even greater trait is his ability to “see people”. He takes a genuine interest in people.
Coach Alumbaugh has a sweet spirit that is contagious! He positively impacts everyone with whom he comes in contact! - Congratulations to Mr. Alumbaugh! Thank you for all you do to make it a Great Day to be a Mt'Neer!
Each year on the final Wednesday in September (this year the 27th) DESE collects the official enrollment of each District in the state.
- This measurement known as September Membership is used to calculate the distribution of Fines and the apportionment of State Assessed Railroad and Utilities Revenue and provides a consistent benchmark for Districts to measure student population.
- This year, for the first time, Districts are able to count all the students served, Pre-K through 12th grade.
- In the past only students who qualified for ADA in Pre-K were included in the count.
- As a result of this change, our official 2023-2024 September Membership is up 65.07 students from last year at 1,519.24 marking our highest total since the 2008-2009 school year.
- See the chart below for additional information:
An update was given on the School Safety Grant awarded to the District on October 2nd.
- This is a grant program begun in 2022.
- Schools are tasked with developing a plan for the funding and then are able to apply for reimbursement for the pre-approved projects designed to support safety improvements.
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There are three major projects the District plans to complete with the money allocated through the School Safety Grant Program.
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The exterior doors at the High School and Elementary Schools are 26 years old and have experienced a great deal of wear and tear over the years.
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Additionally, these doors are secured remotely with the use of a magnet which has contributed to additional deterioration.
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Using the grant funding, we will be able to replace the exterior doors at both campuses and upgrade to a newer more stable remote access system which is in use at our other campuses.
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The classroom locks at the Elementary School have also degraded greatly over their extensive lifespan.
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The District is planning to rekey the Elementary School doors to one key pathway so that all the locking mechanisms will be fully functional and accessed using a similar type of key.
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A fourth part of our plan was to replace the classroom locks at the Middle School which are also in need of an upgrade.
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However, we did not receive the full allotment of our grant request.
The District is working toward a plan to supplement the grant funding we will receive toward repairing locks at the Middle School with another funding source so the project can be completed as soon as possible.
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Chance Cornell was joined by Ryleigh Misemer and Carson Atwood to provide a report on the Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) Program.
- Mr. Cornell is leading the program in its first year of existence at MVHS.
- The program is designed to provide unique experiences to students who have one or more barriers to success which might otherwise make their path to graduation and employment more difficult than their peers.
- Mr. Cornell provided several examples of improvement in attendance and discipline referrals for students who are part of the JAG program and the students shared some of the unique experiences they have enjoyed this semester.
- The JAG program is funded through a partnership with the state of Missouri combined with local resources.
- The presentation created by JAG students is attached to this post.
Mrs. McBaine was present to request approval of a trip to a regional Show-Choir Festival in Decatur, Illinois.
- The approved trip will take place in March.
- The Board heard student testimonials about the importance of Show-Choir in their experience as a student and how much the trip will mean to them as individuals and the program as a whole.
Mr. Smith provided a report on the Special Education Program with special emphasis on the growth of the Early Childhood Special Education Program in the past six years.
- ECSE identifications have increased by 50% and the number of classrooms has increased from two to five.
- This early identifcation has helped staff to better address student issues setting students up for success in the long-term.
In Closed Executive Session:
Amanda Bradshaw has submitted a retirement letter from her position as Special Education Process Coordinator effective at the end of the academic year.
- Mrs. Bradshaw, an MVHS alumnus, joined the District in January 1998 and has spent the last twenty-five and a half years as a Mountaineer.
Jeremy Smith has submitted a resignation letter effective at the end of this academic year.
- Mr. Smith joined our administrative team as the Director of Student Services in 2018 and is in his sixth year in that role.
Amy Smith has submitted a resignation letter effective at the end of this academic year.
- Mrs. Smith joined the District in 2021 as a Fifth Grade Math Teacher.
After 2 years at MVIS, Mrs. Smith joined the High School, teaching Math and Science as well as serving as a Special Education Process Coordinator.
We wish all three the very best in the future and are so grateful for all they have contributed to the success of our District!
The next scheduled meeting of the Mount Vernon R-V Board of Education is scheduled for Thursday, November 16th at 7 PM in the Mount Vernon District Office Board Room.