February 2025 School Board Meeting

The Mount Vernon R-V Board of Education held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, February 20.  

 

District ADA was considerably lower for the month of January as compared to last year and previous months this year.

  • Average Daily Attendance was 1,253.22, down 85.74 students from this time last year.
  • The reason for the lower number is a much lower attendance percentage than usual at 88.59%.
  • As everyone is aware, many illnesses plagued our students and staff in January.  
  • We are certainly hoping for a healthier March!

 

January membership represents the number of students enrolled on the last Wednesday of January and in attendance at least one of the ten days leading up to that date and serves as an annual enrollment benchmark for Districts in Missouri.

  • Our January Membership for 2025 is 1,435.09.
    • This includes our K-12 student count as well as Pre-K students in our ADA classrooms.
  • This is an decrease of 20.18 students from this time last year.
    • Much like some of our recent ADA reports, this number closely reflects our membership in 2023 (1,437.65).

 

The District’s Free and Reduced Lunch Count has increased for the 2024-25 school year.

  • The percentage of our students qualifying for Free and Reduced Lunch represents 41.58% of our January Membership.  
  • The overall count increased by 86.11 students and is at our highest level since before the COVID pandemic. 
  • We are grateful for the hard work of Ammie Rinker and the secretarial staff in each building for the extra efforts made to help qualify our families for this valuable benefit.

 

The Board moved the April Board Meeting date to Thursday, April 17.

  • The law requires Boards to meet and reorganize within 14 days following the April General Election. 
  • The election date in 2025 is April 8. 
  • Typically, Districts must move the Board Meeting to a Tuesday to comply with the law.
  • However, due to the late date for this year’s election, the Board can remain in compliance meeting on the traditional Thursday date.

 

The Board approved the addition of a new Special Education Classroom Teaching position for the 2025-2026 school year.

  • The District has seen a substantial increase in the number of Special Education students over the past two years and current staffing is not adequate to meet the classroom needs in our Special Education Department.
  • The additional staff member will allow the District to maintain current student/teacher ratios.

The Board approved the Academic Calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.

  • The first day of school will be Wednesday, August 20.
  • The recommended calendar includes the following:
    • 166 days (Twelve Collaboration Days)
    • Built-In Snow Days – No Make-Up Days
    • Guaranteed Last Day of School Thursday, May 21
    • Two week Christmas Break
    • Students and/or Teachers in Session all or part of 38 weeks.
      • 21 weeks structured at Four-Days or fewer
      • 55% at four-days or fewer
      • 45% five-day weeks
  • The approved calendar is attached to this post.

 

The Board approved Summer School dates beginning Tuesday, May 27 and ending Thursday, June 19. 

  • Summer School times will run from 7:30-2:45.

 

In Closed Executive Session:

 

The Board received the following information:

  • The Board accepted a resignation from Dr. Billy Redus who served as the District’s Director of Student Services this year.
    • Dr. Redus filled the position under the critical shortage provision in the 24-25 school year after a long career as an administrator.
  • Pam Campbell is retiring from her position as a Special Education Paraprofessional at MVIS effective at the end of the academic year.
    • Mrs. Campbell has served the District in various Paraprofessional roles since 2005 and has spent the past nine years at MVIS supporting Special Education students.
  • Makayla McChesney is resigning from her position as an Eighth Grade English Language Arts Teacher effective at the end of the academic year.
    • Ms. McChesney joined the District in 2023 and has served as an ELA Teacher at MVMS the past two years.
  • Kylie Mareth is moving from her position as the Attendance Officer/ISS Supervisor into the vacant High School Secretary Position.
    • Mrs. Mareth joined the District in 2023, serving in the MVHS ISS position both years.
  • Kyler Shoff is moving to the Eighth Grade English Language Arts Position in the 2025-2026 academic year.
    • Mr. Shoff joined the District in 2021 and has served as a Special Education Teacher at MVHS the past four years.
    • This is to replace Makayla McChesney.
  • Camron Brewer has resigned from his position as Freshmen Baseball Coach.

 

The Board approved the following personnel recommendations:

 

  • Bailey Duncan for a vacant Kindergarten Teacher position in the 2025-2026 academic year.
    • Mrs. Duncan is an MVHS alumni.
    • She has two years’ experience in Hazelwood (St. Louis) and one year in Pea Ridge (AR).
    • This is to replace Courtnie Jones who is moving into a vacant Fourth Grade Teaching Position at MVIS.
  • Leslie Jones for the vacant position of Seventh Grade English Language Arts Teacher in the 2025-2026 academic year.
    • Ms. Jones, a Pierce City graduate, is a student at Missouri Southern and has been student-teaching at MVHS this semester with Mrs. Pennell.
    • This is to replace Rachel Zerby who is moving into an ELA position at MVHS.
  • Krystal Reid for the vacant position of Elementary/Intermediate Art Teacher (K-5) in the 2025-2026 academic year.
    • Ms. Reid is completing her coursework and certification at Missouri State University.
    • This is to replace Janey Hood who is retiring.
  • Zane Smith for the vacant position of Freshmen Baseball Coach this Spring.
    • Mr. Smith is in his first year as a Math Teacher at MVHS.
  • Marla Stewart for the Attendance/ISS Position at the High School.
    • Mrs. Stewart was a teacher and coach for the District from 1989-2020 and has continued in coaching roles after her retirement.
    • This is to replace Kylie Mareth who is moving into an Office Secretary Position.
  • Josh Anderson for the vacant position of Freshmen Softball Coach.
  • Connie Radford as a long-term substitute for two positions in this semester.

 

The next scheduled meeting of the Mount Vernon R-V Board of Education will be Thursday, March 20 at 7 PM in the District Administration Office Board Room.

 

Attached Files