MSDMV School Board members honored for excellence

Members of the Mount Vernon School Board were pleased to show off the “Exemplary Governance at Commendable Level Award” they received at the Indiana School Board Spring Conference. Left to right are Kendra Besesi, Mark Isaac, Greg Oeth, Brian Williams, and Brittney Deig Butler. Photo by Lois Mitino-Gray

By Lois Mittino Gray

Members of the Mount Vernon School Board were proud to showcase their new “Exemplary Governance at Commendable Level Award” as they opened the May 4, regular school board meeting. The Award was presented to them by the ISBA, Indiana School Board Association, at its Spring Conference in April. The honor requires a majority of a school board to demonstrate an outstanding commitment to continuous improvement and professional development activities.

Individually, Board Member Brian Williams was acknowledged for achieving Commendable level, Kenda Bisesi was acknowledged for achieving Advanced level, and Greg Oeth and Mark Isaac were acknowledged for achieving Exemplary level, the top tier. These distinctions are based on their participation in activities, in-service, and conference attendance.

Afterwards, Opportunity Center Director Erica Thomas and Special Education teacher Kennedy Maier gave an update on the work being done at the innovative learning center.

Under New Business, looking toward the 2026-27 school year, three new courses were approved to add to the curriculum offerings. Life Science will be a two-semester course to prepare students for Biology I and taking the Biology I ECA required exam. “Many incoming freshmen students lack the foundational skills and prior knowledge necessary to be successful in Biology I, including basic scientific reasoning, data interpretation, academic vocabulary, and study skills specific to science. Without intentional preparation, these students are at risk of falling behind early in their high school science courses and not be able to pass the exam,” said Brian Hagan, Director of Student Services.

The second new course, PRIME Math, is a two-semester course that emphasizes understanding of math concepts, rather than just memorizing procedures. It emphasizes student reasoning and sense making, with higher order thinking skills to apply math in different situations. It is intended for students who currently have achieved the minimum math requirements at the secondary level, but need additional experiences to enhance mathematical knowledge before pursuing credit-bearing courses at a postsecondary institution. Algebra II is a prerequisite.

The third new course is American Culture Through Film/History Through Film, a one or two semester course where students explore the intersection of history and cinema. “Students will analyze historically themed films and documentaries to investigate how major world events, cultural movements, and influential figures have been portrayed on screen,” according to Hagan. Students will engage in critical discussions, conduct research, read materials, and evaluate the accuracy and impact of films as both artistic expression and historical interpretation. The course is based on the belief that film is a powerful tool in shaping how history is understood.

Hagan also presented a list of adopted textbooks and other curricular materials for English and World Literature for a six-year period from 2026-2032. They were approved after a committee of teachers worked on selecting the ones that would most fit their needs.

In personnel matters, Amanda Nelson was hired as a junior high ELA teacher, replacing Michele Branson Bopp. She completed a Transition to Teaching program and has been teaching at EVSC since 2021. She taught middle school ELA for three years and social studies for two years.

Resignations were accepted from Gregory Carlisle as a sixth-grade boys’ basketball coach and Robert Stemple as an assistant coach for junior high girls’ basketball. Mary Stewart resigned as a teacher assistant at Farmersville Elementary School.

Board members accepted the intent to retire from Karen Behrick as a teacher assistant in Special Education at the high school, effective at the end of the 2025- 26 school year. She has 15 years of service to the district.

They adopted a resolution permitting Alicia Schmidt to attend two educational meetings. One is accompanying Marcus Riecken to work on his research project using equipment available to him at Purdue University on May 4 and to attend with students the Indiana State FFA Convention in Noblesville, Indiana on June 15-18 this summer. FFA will pay expenses for both events.

In routine matters done annually, the Board formally appointed the following administrators for the 2026-27 school year: Bo Harris, Chief Financial Officer; Brian Hagan, Director of Student Services: Marc Hostetter, Director of HR and Operations; Kristen Dutkiewicz, Director of Special Services; Amy Hueftle, Assistant Director of Special Services; William Stein, Director of Information Systems; Katie Bushard, Principal, Marrs Elementary School; Amanda Wilson, Principal, West Elementary School; Staci Reese, Principal, Mount Vernon Junior High School; Scott Strieter, Principal, Mount Vernon High School; Cody Ungetheim, Assistant Principal, Mount Vernon High School; Leigh Ann Latshaw, Athletic Director. Greg Oeth abstained from the vote.

Mount Vernon School Superintendent Stephanie Stewart reported that two positions are still vacant and being addressed at the present time. The vacancies are for a Farmersville Elementary School Principal and a Mount Vernon Junor High School Assistant Principal.

Public bonds for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 were also routinely set. The highest is the District Treasurer, Kathy Bouch at $50,000.00 and High School ECA and Athletic Department Treasurers at $30,000.00 each. Most of the others who handle money are bonded at $5,000.00 or less.

Information to the Board included May menus, childcare proposals, CMC proposals, and Wellness Committee reports from all the schools. All elementary students receive Physical Education classes twice a week for 35 minutes. All three schools have a daily recess of 25-30 minutes. All have special things they do for exercise. Farmersville students walk laps around the hallways from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. three times a week while Marrs Students take “Brain Breaks.” There is a set schedule at each for hearing and vision testing and height and weight checks. Healthy meals and snacks are served and stressed.

Local citizen Paula Rutherford asked if teachers received any TAG (Teacher Appreciation Grant) money this year from the State. Superintendent Stewart replied in the affirmative saying 23 teachers received monetary awards.

The last school board meeting for this school year is set for Monday, May 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the Mount Vernon Senior High School Media Center. The last day of school for students is Thursday, May 21 with Graduation on Friday, May 22 at 7 p.m.