MV school board reviews district program updates

PAC construction proceeding on schedule
 
The Mt. Vernon school board heard updates on the new policy banning cell phones and construction on the high school performing arts center during its Sept. 18 meeting.
The high school Student Board Advisory Team reported the new cellphone policy, instituted by state law, had not been an issue. Some said that the policy injected confusion into their work if they wanted to use a personal computer on classroom tasks. Under the policy, personal computers are also not allowed, but may be used by students taking college classes. Superintendent Christina West pointed out students can receive authorization for classroom use of personal computers, but they must ask for it.
Zane Smith, math teacher who also participated in the discussion, said students found the absence of access to cellphones decreased their screen time. That facilitated more interaction with each other and more efficient effort, decreasing the amount of homework they were taking home.
David Grey, project manager for Veregy, reported progress on the performing arts center. Sewer work has been completed, as well as grading for stormwater outlets and cutting the slope for angled seats. Footings have been poured, as well as underground infrastructure work. The structural steel is due to arrive in mid-December. Insulated concrete form walls to withstand high winds are being poured for the auditorium and should arrive in November. The board opted to make the band room reinforced to serve as the storm shelter.
Enrollment figures
West reviewed a 14-year history of enrollment in the district. The Big 8 Conference, despite ups and downs, has seen an overall increase in that time. Mt. Vernon currently has 1,401 students, down 19 from last year and similar to the 2019-20 school year. West noted the Early Childhood program, not counted in the overall tally, has 104 students.
In addition, the district had the threshold for students qualifying for free and reduced meals lowered this year, enabling more to qualify. Consequently, the district’s overall numbers situation is good. West credited families doing a better job turning in application forms for reduced-cost meals last year, a trend she hopes will continue.
Board members adopted a budget for the 2025-26 school year. West said the board remains very concerned about future school funding, both from the state and federal levels, and made a more conservative budget. Looming in their thinking is getting the base pay for teachers up to the state-mandated $40,000. Presently, the district pays $38,000, and has 27 faculty members taking state salary grant funds to push them up to that total. While that number represents about a quarter of the district’s faculty, West indicated some are close to the needed sum.
“Our goal is to get the salary base up,” West said. “We’re going to do whatever we can and invest in teachers as much as possible.”
Personnel action
The board approved placing Chris Johnston, the high school assistant principal, back as high school activities director for the rest of the school year. His successor left, prompting the action. A one-year stipend was approved to cover his duties.
James Simons was approved as the new E-sports sponsor. He will fill in following the departure of Chance Cornell.
Various reports
Mike Koenig reported on the trip to Washington D.C., taken by seventh and eighth graders during the summer. Parents can sign up to send their students and participate in fundraising. The next trip will be in the summer of 2027.
FFA advisor Tristan Dennis received approval for the district’s FFA student teams to attend the national FFA meeting, including several who have graduated but participated last school year who won at the state level.
Liz Elsey, director of academic services, reported on the Grow Your Own Grant program. The district used this effort to raise funds that enabled three candidates from the faculty to complete their needed teaching certification. New teachers, retired teachers, and returning teachers qualified to participate. The program is no longer available this year.