School Board Minutes
May 18, 2015
Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation
The Board of School Trustees of the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation
held a regular meeting on May 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the Administration Building.
Present were Tony May, Mike McCarty, Jason Shelton, Kellie Freeman, and Shannon Walls.
Also present were Superintendent William Riggs, Assistant Superintendent Mike Horton,
Business Manager Brian Tomamichel, and Attorney Milo Gray.
President May called the meeting to order and reviewed the emergency evacuation
procedures.
Mr. McCarty made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 20, 2015, April 27, 2015
an May 5, 2015 meetings and to certify that an Executive Session was held on April 20, 2015,
and no matters were discussed in the Executive Session other than the specified subject matter in
the public notices; and, claims #507-636 for a total of $5,566,008.44 ($1,430,400.08 in claims
and $4,135,608.36 in sweep transactions). Mr. Shelton seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
President May deviated from the agenda to allow Mr. Derek Shelton to present the High
School’s Student Handbook changes, per the attached. Mr. Shelton noted that the most
important change was the number of credits needed to earn a General Diploma changed from 45
to 42 and the number of credits needed in math, social studies, and science to earn a General
Diploma changed from 6 to 4. There were no changes to the Athletic Handbook.
Members of the NASA Youth Council were not in attendance to do their presentation.
Karen Niemeier, Director of Hancock Madison Shelby Educational Services, presented
the board with a copy of the attached Agreement Regarding Changes in the Organization of
Hancock Madison Shelby Educational Services for the purpose of addressing certain issues
arising from the withdrawal of Greenfield-Central from the HMSES effective July 1, 2015. Mrs.
Freeman made a motion to approve the separation agreement. Mrs. Walls seconded, and the
motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Shipley made a presentation on the Middle School’s Student Assessment. The
Middle School’s standardized testing includes NWEA Assessment, ISTEP Assessment and
Algebra I ECA. NWEA is administered two times a year, in the fall and spring, and data is used
to measure student’s progress or growth in school. The scale used to measure this growth is
called the RIT scale and is used to chart a student’s academic growth from year to year. NWEA
scores let teachers know where a student’s strengths are and if help is needed in any specific
area. ISTEP test scores are analyzed and used to help evaluate current programming and areas of
concentration. Individual student ISTEP results are analyzed to determine student strengths and
if help is needed in any specific areas. It is also used by teachers to help them guide individual
instruction in their classrooms. Approximately 75 7th and 8th Grade Algebra I students take the
Algebra I ECA with a very high success ratio. A triangulation of student data (NWEA, ISTEP
and Classroom Performance) is used to determine individual class placement.
Communications Director Maria Bond presented Mt. Vernon Mainstream publicizing all
the good things happening at Mt. Vernon and press releases in the local newspapers. Good news
includes MVHS was ranked #21 in the state (out of 413 public schools) best in county and
#1,613 in the nation (out of 21,150 public schools) by U.S. News & World Report; MVHS
Seniors were awarded a record $5,718,617 in scholarships (two notables were Grant Williams
with a West Point Appointment and Brieann Staker receiving the four-year Eli Lilly
Scholarship); MCE Walk-a-thon raised nearly $5K to be split between Riley Hospital and a
Reading Interventionist; MVMS Student Council was named an “Honor Council” for the 11th
time; and FES Principal Heather Noesges and MES Principal Stephanie Miller were selected to
participate in the Indiana Principals Leadership Institute of which MVMS Principal Scott Shipley
and MCE Principal Heather Whitaker recently graduated from.
Mr. Shelton reported that the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation will hold the 2015 Joel
Young Memorial Chip in Fore Kids Golf Outing on June 19th at Arrowhead Golf Course. Mr.
McCarty reported that the Hancock Co. RDC is moving quickly on the TIF project getting things
in place for the John Morrell Co. Mr. May was unable to attend the last Fortville RDC meeting.
Mrs. Freeman reported that a decision has been made to tear down the church located at the
corner of Washington Street and German Church and replaced with a Giant Eagle Gas Station.
Mrs. Walls reported that much of the McCordsville RDC meeting was spent on finalizing the
TIF marketing plan they have been working on. They are also working on a matching grant
program where businesses can apply for a matching grant to improve their buildings.
Mrs. Whitaker and Mr. Shipley presented the Student Handbook Changes for all three
elementary schools and the middle school, per the attached. Changes are basically the same as
previously discussed for the high school. Mrs. Whitaker touched on one change pertaining to the
attendance policy reflecting the new prosecutor’s wishes. After a student has been absent fifteen
times, they are then turned over to the Prosecutor’s Office and it is their decision on what action
is taken. Mr. Shipley stated one change in the middle school’s handbook concerns the
confiscation of electronic devices which includes cell phones, MP3 players, CD players, PSP’s,
etc. Mrs. Walls made a motion to approve the changes to all 2015-2016 Student Handbooks, as
presented. Mr. McCarty seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Dr. Riggs presented Kindergarten Roundup Results, per the attached, and stated he was
very pleased with the numbers. This year, 75 students were enrolled at Mt. Comfort, 74 at
McCordsville and 54 at Fortville Elementary for a total of 203 students, up a little from last year.
Dr. Riggs anticipates, based on enrollment projections, adding an additional kindergarten section
at all three elementary schools.
Dr. Riggs reported Option B of the 2016-2017 School Calendar seemed to get a lot of
support from patrons as well as administrators, the Classroom Teachers’ Association and
Corporation Improvement Council members. Mrs. Freeman made a motion to approve Option B
of the 2016-2017 School Calendar which has a starting date for students of August 1, 2016. Mr.
McCarty seconded, and the motion carried.
Mr. Horton presented IREAD3 results, per the attached. Overall 236 of the 260 third
grade students passed for a 90.8% passing rate. The state average passing rate is 84.2%.
Twenty-four students will re-take the test on June 9, 2015. It is MVCSC policy that if students
do not pass the re-take test, they will be retained in Grade 3. In the past, students re-taking the
test have all passed.
Dr. Riggs reminded board members that MVHS Graduation is set for Friday May 29,
2015 at 7:30 at the Football Stadium.
Dr. Riggs reported he had been keeping an eye on the distribution of monies coming out
of the General Assembly this year. There was on ongoing dispute between the urban schools and
the high complexity index figures that generated dollars for them versus the urban and rural
schools that needed monies put into the base amount in order to see some growth in the actual
dollars available. The formula came out with a reduced complexity index and with more
emphasis on the dollars per child. Mt. Vernon is in line for a 4.4% increase in overall dollars
available for the first year and 2.7% for the second year. The per pupil dollar amount will be
rising rapidly for all districts that have been in the bottom 25% for a long time as the General
Assembly is trying to ensure every child gets the same amount of dollars and it is pro-rated out
based on enrollments and other things. Dr. Riggs feels it is a real step in the right direction for
suburban and rural schools particularly if they are growing schools.
Mr. Shipley recommends starting a MVMS tennis intramural program for middle school
students. High School teacher Joe Anderson will be the sponsor of the program which will meet
twice a week for six weeks in the spring. Cost for the program is $45. Mrs. Walls made a
motion to approve Mr. Shipley’s recommendation as presented. Mr. Shelton seconded, and the
motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Horton presented three quotes for preventative maintenance contracts for the HVAC
systems in our schools, per the attached. Funds are available in the CPF Fund to cover the cost
of these contracts. Based on quotes received, Mr. Horton recommends the board approve
contracts from Enviro Max (for MVMS, MES, FES and MCE) at a cost of $30,230 per year and
Freije (for MVHS and MVHS Athletic Bldg.) at a cost of $23,219 per year. The contracts are
three year contracts. Mr. Shelton made a motion to approve the contracts. Mr. McCarty
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Horton presented quotes received from Stair and Associates for renovations to the
Special Ed Room at MVHS. Based on the quotes received and the recommendation of Stair
Associates, Mr. Horton recommends the approval of the base quote plus time-out padding,
insulating glass, floor replacement and steel from Dallman. Mr. McCarty made a motion to
approve the recommendation as presented. Mrs. Walls seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Shelton made a motion to the approve the following personnel: Resignations: Amy
Lovell- MCE Stretch Coordinator; Sandra Cole – Half-Time FACS Teacher at MVHS; Jessica
Moore- MVMS 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher, Paige Haley – MVMS Language Arts
Teacher; Rachel Ralstin – MCE Dibels Assistant. Hirings: Tim Leonard – Temporary Contract
for MVHS Science; Frank Pagano – Temporary Contract for MVHS FACS; Darla Blessing –
MES Instructional Assistant; Senaida Richwine – MES Instructional Assistant; Adam Bisesi –
7th Grade Language Arts Teacher. Termination of David Whisler – MES Instructional Assistant.
Mrs. Freeman seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Shelton made a motion to accept a donation from USA Funds in the amount of
$1,000 to McCordsville Elementary to be used for professional development. Mrs. Walls
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Dr. Riggs presented first reading of a new policy regarding providing EpiPens in each
building. The General Assembly now allows the purchase of EpiPens to be used in case of an
emergency They will be kept in a centralized location with three or four persons trained to
administer them. Board Members will vote on this policy at the June board meeting. Mrs.
Freeman questioned whether parental consent would be required to administer the EpiPen. Dr.
Riggs responded it would be for emergency treatment, which is protected by law, and for
students who normally have use an EpiPen when needed and don’t have one with them.
Under Additional Items, Maria Bond informed the board that the graduation ceremony
will be broadcasted live on the MVCSC website. Mr. McCarty questioned whether a lifeguard
had been found so the MVMS pool open swim sessions could be continued. Mr. Horton stated
yes one had been found.
Mr. McCarty made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:10 p.m. Mr. Shelton
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.