The Mount Vernon R-V Board of Education held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, November 21. Below are some items of information:
The Board elected Brian Parrish to serve in the role of Board Secretary.
- Mr. Parrish replaces Steve Wendler who retired from this position in October after 28 years of service.
The Board recognized MVHS Agriculture Education Instructor Jay Shepherd as the MV-MVP for November.
- In his nomination, Mr. Shepherd was described as follows:
Every day Jay comes to work ready to work hard and give his students high-quality learning opportunities. A great example of this is his dedication to helping students succeed in FFA Fall public speaking, spending countless hours editing speeches for students and helping them work on presenting them to the best of their abilities.
Jay makes a positive difference every day by giving students hands-on opportunities to learn life skills that they will take with them after graduation such as building trailers, or other metal shop projects, and learning the fundamentals of small engines or electricity.
Mr. Shepherd is not afraid of a challenge. Having 30 students learn basic electricity circuit boards and tear down/rebuild engines are examples of this. It is not an easy task, and he ensures every student is learning along the way. When building trailers in the metal shop, challenges always present themselves, and he never lets it stop the project. He works alongside to fix the problem and get the job done, ensuring the student learns those necessary skills of problem-solving.
Jay is a highly involved member of the community and constantly involves the community in what takes place in the Ag Building by bringing in building and repair projects and providing hands-on opportunities for students to learn vital skills.
- Thank you Mr. Shepherd for making it a great day to be a Mt’Neer!
The Board recognized Colter Rock, a representative from Schreiber Foods in Mount Vernon.
- Schreiber Foods donated $10,000 to the Summit After-School Program for this school year.
- The District had been able to supplement this program using ESSER funding which expired in September.
- The Schreiber donation will help make the program self-sufficient for this school year.
- A huge thank you to Schreiber Foods for their continued support of Mount Vernon Schools!
The District’s attendance rate for October was 94.13% and our Average Daily Attendance for seated students was 1,354.39 students
- This was a decrease of 2.34 students from this time last year but was an increase of 8.56 students from September (1345.83)
- The District attendance rate also increased from September, up 0.41%
The filing period for the April 8, 2025, General Municipal Election begins December 10, 2024 (8 AM) and ends December 31, 2024 (5 PM).
- Two members will be elected for three-year terms.
- The terms of Mr. Hodgson and Mr. Schoen expire this April.
The Southwest Center for Educational Excellence has crafted a Legislative Priorities and Platform document for consideration by member Districts.
- Mr. Cook provided a report on the document.
- The Board will consider the District’s stance on endorsing the priorities and platform over the next month.
Ryan Worley provided a report on the upcoming Boys’ Basketball season.
- The Girls' Basketball team was participating in its Jamboree on Thursday and was unable to attend.
Mrs. Elsey provided the District’s Annual Assessment Report.
- The report included a combination of MAP/EOC results as well as progress on benchmark testing.
- Please see the attached report for additional information.
The Board voted to amend the MVHS Handbook’s Unnecessary Item Policy effective at the beginning of the second semester.
- Dr. Prevo provided a report to the Board on the process used to gather feedback from all stakeholders regarding the use of cell phones at school.
- Feedback came from surveys sent to students, parents, and staff.
- Additionally, a committee comprised of students, parents, staff, administrators, and Board members met in early November to discuss the issue.
- To provide consistent expectations in all classrooms and to protect instructional time, the Board approved the following recommended changes:
- Personal Devices will not be allowed and should not be seen or heard during class time
- Students may use personal devices before school, during passing time, at lunch, and after school
- Teachers must provide explicit permission for a device to be used for an educational purpose in the classroom
- The following consequences of violation were also approved:
- First Offense: The teacher will ask the student to turn off the device and the device will be sent to the office. The student may pick the device up at the end of the day.
- Second Offense: The teacher will ask the student to turn off the device and the device will be sent to the office. Students will be assigned 1 day of ISS. Students may pick the phone up at the end of the day.
- Third Offense: The teacher will ask the student to turn off the device and the device will be sent to the office. Students will be assigned 2 days ISS. The parent or guardian must pick the phone up from the office at his or her convenience.
- Subsequent Offenses: The teacher will ask the student to turn off the device and the device will be sent to the office. Students will be assigned 3 days ISS. The device will be returned to a parent or guardian.
- The communication of this new policy will occur throughout December and take effect on January 7 at the start of the second semester.
The Board voted to extend a letter of intent to negotiate and enter into a contract with Veregy to begin project development related to an April bond issue.
- The Board will consider whether or not to place a no-tax-increase bond issue on the ballot at the December meeting.
- This approval allows Veregy to begin the design process to achieve the most advantageous timeline for potential projects.
- The letter is contingent upon the Board’s decision as to whether or not to place a bond issue on the ballot at the December meeting.
- Veregy has been a long-time partner in past facility construction and improvement projects beginning in 2013.
- They were the only respondent to the District’s issuance of a request for qualifications following the October Board Meeting.
In Closed Executive Session:
Kim Casey has submitted a letter of retirement effective at the end of the academic year.
- Ms. Casey joined the District in 2016 and is in her ninth year at MVES.
- Kim began teaching in 2000, serving in the Ozark, Bradleyville, and Seymour Districts before joining Mount Vernon.
The next scheduled meeting of the Mount Vernon R-V Board of Education will be held on Thursday, December 19 at 7 PM in the District Administration Office Board Room.