MSD of Mount Vernon does away with ‘Readiness Policy’

By Lois Mittino Gray

Members of the Mount Vernon School Board voted at their February 17 meeting to get rid of the “readiness examination” once allowed for some young students who are enrolling in the district. Board members voted unanimously to red line completely the part of the 327 policy dealing with this exception.

To enter kindergarten now in the Metropolitan School District of Mount Vernon, a child must meet state entrance requirements regarding age. To enter the first grade in the Metropolitan School District of Mount Vernon, a child must have had his/her sixth birthday prior to June 1 of the year in which the child enrolls or have completed kindergarten in the Metropolitan School District of Mount Vernon. A child who has completed kindergarten in another community may be permitted to enter the first grade.

Originally, the exception allowed the School Superintendent to permit enrollment based on a “readiness examination” administered by the school district if there is available space. The exception was to be requested by August 1 with a letter from parent or guardian. A child that does not meet enrollment requirements for kindergarten or first grade but has started the school year in another school district that has a publicly accredited program, shall be permitted to enroll as if the child had met enrollment requirements in the Metropolitan School District of Mount Vernon. Any child entering the schools of the Metropolitan School District must submit a birth certificate (or other proof of age acceptable to the school corporation) and proof of Indiana residency.

Due to the virtual attendance of Board Member Kendra Bisesi, all votes were taken by roll call. Members of the public were able to attend via the link located at www.mvschool.org.

In personnel matters, Board members confirmed the employment of Kristen Cooper as an assistant coach of high school boys’ and girls’ swimming with a one-eighth stipend for each assignment. Cooper has served as a volunteer dive coach for the Mount Vernon Senior High School swim team and previously coached diving at Brownsburg High School. Emma Thompson will be the assistant coach of girls’ track at the junior high school. She replaces Lisa Meek. Thompson is a special education teacher at Mount Vernon Junior High School. She was a member of the cross country and track teams while attending high school and college. Emma has served as a volunteer soccer coach for Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation.

They also accepted the intent to retire from Cinda Denning as a building secretary at Farmersville Elementary School. It will be effective at the end of the current school year. Denning has 22 years of service to the district.

The Board passed a resolution to allow several educational meetings. Alicia Schmidt will be busy the next few weeks and into the Spring taking students to the following: the National Farm Machinery Show at the Kentucky Expo Center, the State Milk Quality and Products Judging at Purdue, Ag in the Classroom at Saint Matthew School, the District X Small Engines Contest at Vincennes University, the District X LDE Contest at Southridge, the Southwest Region Livestock Contest at the Dubois County Fairgrounds, and the State Poultry Contest at Boone County Fairgrounds. FFA pays expenses on these many trips.

Timothy Smith may attend with students the Robotics Scrimmage and Campus Tour of Vincennes University on February 27 with Robotics to pay expenses. Tina McCloud will attend the BPA State Leadership Conference in Indianapolis on March 6-10. Audrey McGahey will attend with students the BPA Conference there from March 8-10.

Erinn Jankowski and Rachel Wheaton will go to the girls and boys State Swim meets in Indianapolis in February with Athletics to pay expenses.

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest statements were signed and accepted for these persons listed: Kendra Bisesi, Brittney Butler, Kristen Dutkiewicz, Bo Harris, Marc Hostetter, Amy Hueftle, Mark Isaac, Jacquelyn Maier, Greg Oeth, Charles Seifert, Stephanie Stewart, Brian Williams, and Amanda Wilson.

Board members approved the revision of the 2025-2027 Management & Non-Unit benefit packet to include a change of title of Director of Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation to Director of HR and District Operations, to change the title of Director of Curriculum, Grants, and Testing to Director of Student Services, and to add a Curriculum Coordinator.

They also granted permission to MVHS Band Boosters to use the band room for the mattress fundraiser on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Information presented to the Board included budget timeline and Self-Insurance Fund report.

The next meeting is slated for Monday, March 2 at 5:30 p.m. in the high school Media Center.