The Mount Vernon R-V Board of Education held its Regular Meeting on Thursday, March 14. Below are some items of interest:
The Board recognized the MV-MVP for the month of March. The District initiated the Jobs for America’s Graduates Program at MVHS this year. Chance Cornell is the instructor in this program and is doing an outstanding job. Below is some of the text from his nomination:
Chance has stepped up with the JAG program. I have seen numerous changes in the students enrolled in the JAG program. They are professional and take pride in being a part of JAG. I have seen Chance go above and beyond to help his students be successful. I love to see the students with a sense of pride in a job well done and I believe Chance has a huge hand in
helping these students.
Thank you to Mr. Cornell for getting this important new program off to a successful start!
The Board also had an opportunity to officially recognize our MV-MVPs for the month of January. Alex Weinzierl and Jack Milzarek were in attendance to report on the progress of our Instrumental Music program. While they were at it, they received their MVP plaques from Board President Danny Bowling. Great job guys!
Our attendance percentage was 91.35% for the month of February and our ADA was 1,311.02.
- This represents a decrease in seated ADA from last year.
- Attendance percentages at every building were historically low with each campus posting their lowest February attendance percentage in the past nine years.
- Each building was dealing with illnesses and we are hoping for a healthier March!
The 2024-2025 school year would mark the District’s first opportunity to consider a Bond Issue after the successful 2020 campaign.
- Toward this end, Mr. Cook reported on the amount of bonding capacity available to the District which would not require an increase in the debt service tax rate.
- Pending a modest increase in the District’s Assessed Valuation, a no-tax-increase bond issue would generate $8.5 million if passed in the 2025 April General Election.
- If Assessed Valuation goes up more, then the amount generated would also increase.
- If Assessed Valuation stays the same or goes down, the amount generated would also decrease.
Several Spring Coaches were on hand to report on their upcoming seasons. We are looking forward to another great season for our Mt’Neer Spring athletes!
Mr. Weinzierl, Mr. Milczarek, Drum Major Hannah Bushman, and Ian Standefer provided a report on the Instrumental Music Program.
- The students walked the Board through a band student’s experience beginning in July and ending in June.
- Congratulations to the Band Program on an outstanding year so far and best of luck in the upcoming contest season.
- The presentation is attached to this post.
Mrs. Elsey provided a report to the Board on the District’s Assessment Program discussing our results, our celebrations, our opportunities for improvement, and the factors impacting our performance.
- The assessment data indicated notable achievements across various subjects and grade levels.
- Over the past five years, 5th-grade ELA performance has consistently surpassed the state average, while 7th-grade ELA has recently rebounded above it.
- Furthermore, all 3rd to 5th-grade math scores have now surpassed the state average, showcasing significant progress.
- Algebra I scores have shown marked improvement, and 5th-grade science performance has consistently excelled above state standards since 2019.
- These results reflect a commendable trend of academic excellence and improvement within the school's curriculum and teaching methodologies.
- The assessment data also highlights several areas where opportunities for improvement exist within the academic performance of various grade levels.
- There has been a gradual decline observed in 3rd to 5th-grade ELA performance, indicating a need for more targeted intervention strategies.
- Additionally, 6th and 7th-grade math scores are currently below the desired performance level, signaling a requirement for additional support.
- Moreover, upper-level science and social studies subjects have been identified as areas with room for improvement, suggesting the necessity for curriculum enhancements or instructional adjustments to bolster student achievement in these disciplines.
- Addressing these identified areas of weakness through strategic educational initiatives will be crucial in fostering overall academic growth and success.
- To address the identified academic opportunities for improvement, the school district has initiated several targeted strategies.
- We are in the process of adopting a new Kindergarten-5th grade ELA program, signaling a commitment to enhancing literacy skills across elementary levels.
- Additionally, IXL has been introduced as a supplementary resource in middle school math, aiming to provide students with additional learning experiences to bolster their mathematical proficiency.
- Adjustments to the middle school sequence of science courses have been made to better align with student learning needs, indicating a proactive approach to improving science education.
- Furthermore, the district is placing increased emphasis on social studies development in lower grades, aiming to provide foundational knowledge and scaffolding to support students' comprehension and engagement in this subject area.
- These comprehensive efforts reflect the district's dedication to addressing academic challenges and fostering student growth and success.
The Board voted to renew the District’s Membership in the Show-Me Benefit Consortium.
- The 2023-2024 school year was the District’s first in this insurance partnership.
- This year was not a healthy year for the District or for the group as a whole.
- The loss ratio for the District as of February 2024 is 118% meaning the group is spending 18% more to cover our District’s claims than we are contributing.
- Due to these circumstances, rates for the 2024-2025 school year are increasing by 7%.
- These are the first rate increases in the history of Show-Me Benefit.
- Next year the District plans to contribute 100% of the monthly insurance premium.
- Premiums next year will be $514 per employee/per month ($6,168 per employee annually).
- The approximate cost of this increase is estimated to be an additional $85,000 over District expenditures for insurance last year at just over $1.2 million.
- By comparison, this rate renewal is still substantially below the rates charged by our old consortium partner.
The Board gave its final approval to begin the replacement of synthetic turf at Mountaineer Stadium.
- The overall cost to the District will be $607,420 with half paid in the 2023-2024 budget year and the remaining balance paid in the 2024-2025 budget year upon completion of the work.
- The District was proud to partner with several area businesses to help defray the cost of this project.
- Our advertising agreements with 12 area businesses generate $344,000 to help with the cost of replacing the turf leaving the District responsible for the remaining $263,420.
- Work to replace the synthetic turf is expected to begin June 1.
In Closed Executive Session:
The board received information regarding four staff member resignations:
- Kaleb Cason is resigning from his position as Middle School Social Studies Teacher effective at the end of the academic year.
- Mr. Cason joined the District in 2019 and has served as a Social Studies Teacher at MVMS the past five years.
- Brook Olinger is resigning from her position as Speech & Debate/Theater Teacher at MVHS at the end of the academic year.
- Mrs. Olinger joined the District in 2020 and has served as the Theater/Speech Teacher at MVHS the past four years.
- Mike Ray is resigning from his position as Social Studies Teacher and Head Basketball Coach at MVHS at the end of the academic year.
- Mr. Ray joined the District in 2008 and has served as a Social Studies Teacher at MVMS and MVHS for the past 15 years.
- Mr. Ray also served 10 years as our Head Boys’ Basketball Coach assuming that position in the 2014-2015 season.
- Karley Koster is resigning from her position as Custodian at the Elementary School.
- Ms. Koster joined the District in this role in April 2023.
Best of luck to all these staff members as they head into new opportunities!
The Board approved the following two personnel recommendations:
Jeff Piepenbrink was hired to fill the position of Middle School Social Studies Teacher.
- Mr. Piepenbrink has spent the past 8 years teaching Health and PE in the Monett School District.
- Prior to his time in Monett, Mr. Piepenbrink was a teacher in the Mount Vernon Special Education department in the 2015-2016 school year.
- Mr. Piepenbrink has served as a coach in the Monett Football and Track programs and will assume roles in both programs in Mount Vernon as well.
- This hire is to replace Kaleb Cason who announced his resignation this month.
- Welcome back to Mount Vernon Mr. Piepenbrink!
Kyler Shoff was hired to fill the position of Head Baseball Coach beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.
- Mr. Shoff joined the District as a High School Special Education Teacher and Assistant Baseball Coach in 2021 and has served in these roles for the past three years.
The Board is planning an Executive Session Special Board Meeting on Monday, March 25 to consider personnel recommendations and will hold their next Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 16 at 7 PM in the District Administration Office.