Mt. Vernon Board of Education votes to end mask mandate, effective now

By: 
Kaleena Ricketts

Newly re-elected board members sworn in for new terms following April election results; district construction on time
 
Mask requirements are no more within the Mt. Vernon R-5 school district.
Due to incredibly low, nearly nonexistent COVID cases within the district, the board voted to do away with the masking mandate for all students and teachers at each campus.
This decision was based on two components:
-The fact that the impact of COVID-19 has dramatically improved over the last several weeks–quarantines and positive cases have dwindled to nearly zero at this point;
-All staff members of the Mt. Vernon school district have been given the opportunity to be vaccinated. The weekend of April 24-25, marked the second full week since the vaccination clinic hosted by the district and medical officials have said that once this two-week time period is over, a person is protected by the vaccine to the fullest extent.
Even though the masks have come off, social distancing guidelines will remain in place. Should COVID cases once again escalate, the district would consider reinstating the masking mandate.
Despite the mandate modification, any staff member or student who wishes to still wear a mask is encouraged to do so.
Mt. Vernon School board reorganization
Following the April 6 election, former board members Danny Bowling and John Rutledge were both newly re-elected to remain on the board. The results of that election were:
1. Danny Bowling, 362 votes;
2. John Rutledge, 361 votes;
3. Bethany Douglas, 267 votes.
Both Bowling and Rutledge were administered the oath of office, which was followed by the designation of offices which are as follows: Danny Bowling, president; Nathan Schoen, vice-president; Steve Wendler, secretary; John Rutledge, treasurer and MSBA delegate; Kerry Hodgson, assistant treasurer and MSBA alternate delegate.
CTS updates
CTS Project Manager, Jeremy Shivers, reported that despite unfavorable weather, work continues and the Early Childhood Learning Center is still on schedule.
The board also voted to approve a contract with CTS for an overhaul of the geothermal HVAC system at the high school. As discussed previously, the system is in an inadequate condition for several of reasons, and all of the iron piping and many of the units are in need of replacement. This project will be paid for with a combination of ESSER II funding and remaining proceeds from the 2020 bond issue. Due to this being such an extensive project, the entire high school campus will be closed for the majority of the summer months.
New curriculum
The board also approved new math curriculum for K-5 students, as well as a new Pre- K curriculum.

 Sale of Property
The Mount Vernon Church of Christ is the new owner of the plot of land across from the Mt. Vernon Middle School that was declared by the board to be surplus real property. The Church of Christ were the lone bidders for the property.
Additional teacher and para added employees of Early Childhood Learning Center
An additional early childhood special education teacher, as well as a paraprofessional, have been added as employees at the Early Childhood Learning Center. When the facility opens next year, there will be six teachers-four special education and two regular education teachers. All early childhood staff salaries are reimbursed by the state of Missouri.
In closed session:
The board was informed of the following resignations/retirements:
-Sharon Fisher is retiring from her position as secretary at the Intermediate School;
-Melinda Daugherty has retired from her position as Title I / Technology teacher at the Elementary School;
-Callie Degani is resigning from her position as a first grade teacher at the Elementary School;
-Julie Hayes is resigning from her position as sixth grade reading teacher at the Middle School; and
-Noah Petti is resigning from his position as assistant band director.
The board also took action to hire the following new staff members:
-Demetria Jones for the vacant nurse position at the Intermediate School.
Jones is a Registered Nurse who has served as a substitute nurse for the district since 2015. She also spent over 15 years as a nurse at MRC. This is the position vacated by Priscilla Dickenson’s retirement. Melissa Robbins is moving from MVIS to MVMS;
-Taylor Bond for the vacant English Language Arts position at the high school;
-Richard Carter for the vacant assistant band position;
-Olivia Ramsey for the vacant fifth grade math position at the Intermediate School;
-Jacey Lamb for a vacant first grade position at the Elementary School; and
-Lisa Ladd is moving from her first grade position into the sixth grade reading position at the middle school.
The next scheduled meeting of the Mt. Vernon Board of Education will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 20 in the District Office boardroom.
 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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