The Board of School Trustees of the Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation held a regular meeting at 7:00pm on Monday, June 18, 2001, in the administration building. The following Board Members were present: Jeffrey Phares, Jan Cochard, Janice Hatoway, Andrea Clarkson, and Paul Riddle. Also present were Superintendent William Riggs, Assistant Superintendent Walter Bourke, Business Manager Beverly Baugh, and Attorney Milo Gray.

The meeting was called to order by President Phares. Prayer was given by Mr. Cochard.

Mrs. Hatoway moved to approve the following consent items: 1.) The minutes of the May 21, 2001 meeting, and to certify that executive sessions were held and that no subject matter was discussed in the executive sessions other than the subject matter in the public notices; and, 2.) Claims #1112-1364, in the amount of $848,139.60. Mr. Riddle seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Dr. Riggs read a letter of regret from School Board Scholar Greg Ellis explaining that their family vacation would not permit him to attend the scholar reception.

A reception was held at 6:00pm prior to the regular school board meeting honoring the 2000-01 School Board Scholars. Students earning all A’s on semester grades were recognized with the presentation of a trophy and certificate, with cake and punch served to the scholars and approximately 200 guests. Mrs. Hatoway moved to officially enter the names of the 2000-01 School Board Scholars in the board minutes as follows. Elementary: Andrea Bailey, Abigail Balbach, Kyle Barker, Kevin Bozymski, Brandy Brown, David Campbell, Paige Carder, Katelyn Castner, Natalie Everhard, Elizabeth Foster, Lauren Garst, Thomas Garst, Abigail Givan, Britney Haley, Christian Hanselmann, Kaitlyn Hartz, Jessica Houk, Eric Hulse, Lindsay Jones, Brittany Jordan, Bryan Lord, Lindsay McMillan, Jerred Miklowcic, Amanda Mount, Kiley Neal, Anne Neuendorf, Nikole Phillips, Michael Porter, Jordan Reed, Matthew Reed, Nicholas Rishel, Kaleb Rohrmoser, Spencer Sefton, Rachael Sexton, Robert Theobald, Luke Thompson, Kelsey Watson, Amy Waymire, Kylie Wells, and Paige Yeadon. Middle School: Amye Adcock, Elise Boruvka, Meighan Castner, Jordan Cole, Shea Eckert, Brittney Hildinger, Taryn Horney, John Kindler, Tony Ljuldjuraj, Lindsay Mitchell, Katherine Moore, Robert Ryan, Cameron Thacker, Paige Watson, Ryne Weppler, Megan Zaring, and Kristen Zwick. High School: James Almond, Kathryn Boruvka, Ashley Chandler, Jonathan Clark, Alison Copeland, Ian Dailey, Jason Doddridge, Anne Dryden, Gregory Ellis, Deann Hancock, Eric Hanselmann, John Harmon, Matthew Hatoway, Katherine Hersberger, Melinda Holley, Alisha Hull, Daniel Kindler, Tiffany Limbach, Cheri Lomison, Mandi Mooney, Martin Munoz, Angela Olson, Laura Pillsbury, Robert Rhinesmith, Carl Rogers, Sarah Sanford, Lainey Schneider-Frantz, Kirk Webber, Natalie Webber, and Brittany Wilson. Mr. Cochard seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mrs. Hatoway introduced the 2000-01 Academic Wall of Fame Inductees, and Mr. Phares presented their certificates. Mr. Cochard moved to enter the names of said inductees in the official minutes as follows: Katie Phillips-MVE Spelling Bee Champion; Christopher Scramlin-MVE Geography Bee Champion; Anne Neuendorf-MVE Addition T-Race Champion; Christie Sietsma-MVE Multiplication T-Race Champion; Alex Spetter-MCE Spelling Bee Champion; Donnie Anderson-MCE Geography Bee Champion; Josh Orndorff-MCE Addition T-Race Champion; Andrea Bailey-MCE Multiplication T-Race Champion; Kevin Sawrie-MVMS Spelling Bee Champion; Kirk Webber-MVHS Valedictorian; Cheri Lomison-MVHS Salutatorian; Carl Rogers-MVHS National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalist; Angie Olson, Janet McKnight, John Harmon, Lauren McEvers, Matt Spears, Christin Chalmers, Brandon Wiseman and coach Joyce Benbow-MVHS Fine Arts Academic Team State Champions; and Brittany Chalmers, Katherine Hersberger, Cheri Lomison, Philip Porter, Sarah Sanford, Kirk Webber, and Brittany Wilson-School Board Scholars Five Times or More. Mrs. Hatoway seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Cochard moved to enter names in the official minutes of the Mt. Vernon High School spring sports student-athletes who were earned the award of All Hoosier Heritage Conference Academic Team Athletes as follows: Robbie Rhinesmith-baseball; Jonathon Clark-boys’ golf; Matt Hatoway-boys’ golf; Daniel Kindler-boys’ golf; Phillip Porter-boys’ golf; Adrienne LaFollette-girls’ tennis; Cassie Lomison-girls’ tennis; Cheri Lomison-girls’ tennis; Lainey Schneider-Frantz-girls’ tennis; Stephen Breslin-boys’ track; Jason Doddridge-boys’ track; and Stephanie Holman-girls’ track. Mrs. Clarkson seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mrs. Baugh presented proof of publications for the additional appropriation public hearing, as advertised in the Community Shopper and the Greenfield Daily Reporter. She stated that the $10,578,434 appropriation is not new monies, but simply requesting permission to officially appropriate funds that have been previously approved for the construction projects. Said amount will be used for expenses for the MVHS outdoor athletic fields, the MVMS HVAC system, and land acquisition. Patron input was requested; there was no response. Mr. Cochard moved to approve an additional appropriation of $10,578,434 for the construction fund. Mrs. Hatoway seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Phares requested patron presentation; there was no response.

Dave Beeson of The Skillman Corporation gave a brief update on construction projects. He stated that the footings and foundations of the MVHS outdoor athletic facilities have been completed with the exception of the soccer press box. Mason construction will begin within the week. The baseball and softball diamonds have been graded and drainage work completed, and final subgrading and preparation for drainage is in process on the new football field. The old fencing surrounding the tennis courts has been removed and new fencing along with concrete basis for the light poles are being installed. The water main to State Road 234 has been installed and the irrigation system will begin next month. The MVHS north parking lot will be resurfaced and striped in July. Mr. Beeson publicly thanked the MVHS athletic department staff members for their sacrifices and cooperation during the entire process.

Mr. Beeson informed the Board and patrons that a pre-bid meeting was held for the Intermediate Building last week, with official bids due by 2:00pm on Tuesday, June 26^th. Said bids will be opened publicly in the MVHS auditorium commencing at 2:15pm. Construction is scheduled to begin on the Intermediate Building on Monday, September 17, 2001, completed in early June 2003, and officially opened at the start of the 2003-04 school year. Mr. Beeson also stated that work on the MVMS outdoor athletic facilities will begin in April 2002.

Dr. Bourke reported that work has begun on the MVE projects including replacement of fire and lighting systems, and the addition of electrical systems for teacher work areas.

Dr. Riggs reminded the Board and patrons of the special meeting scheduled on July 9^th at 7:00pm in the administration building for the Board’s annual reorganization meeting.

Dr. Riggs informed the Board of the topics chosen for discussion during the 2001-02 MVCSC Corporation Improvement Council Meetings. Topics include: Orientation, school budgets, and growth related issues; Technology updates; School Board goals and priorities; MVHS courses, scheduling, and program plans; ISTEP+ and GQE results; Intermediate School programs; Student handbook review; a planning session; and one meeting open for a topic to be determined as needed. The CIC meets on the first Monday of each month, October through June.

Dr. Riggs reported that Lilly Endowment has not yet announced the recipients of the second round of CAPE Grants, and we are simply in a waiting mode.

Dr. Bourke presented the Language Arts/Foreign Language Curriculum, K-12, for board consideration. Mr. Cochard moved to adopt said curriculum, as per the attached. Mrs. Hatoway seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Dr. Riggs updated the status of the AmeriCorps program, Each One Counts. He stated that the federal funding amount continues to decrease each year, ultimately increasing MVCSC’s financial responsibility. Additionally, the director, Amanda Austin, has resigned her position to continue her educational goals, and no one employed in the program during the 2000-01 school year is planning to return this fall. Dr. Riggs stated that the program has provided an important service for students in need of additional instruction at the kindergarten level. However, we have experienced difficulty maintaining a full staff for the program, and we can no longer endure continuing rising costs while searching for ways to reduce general fund expenditures. As a result Dr. Riggs reluctantly recommended the termination of the AmeriCorps program. Mrs. Clarkson moved to terminate the AmeriCorps program effective immediately. Mr. Riddle seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mrs. Hatoway moved to approve the following field trips, contingent upon a 10:1 student/teacher ratio: 7^th/8^th grade band to Kings Island, Ohio on June 28, 2001; MVHS percussion and guard to The Beach in Kings Island, Ohio on July 7, 2001; and MVHS band to Kings Island, Ohio on July 23, 2001. Mr. Cochard seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Riddle moved to approve the following personnel items. Resignations: Dawn Prunty-MVE cafeteria; Brenda Howell-MVE Web Master; Becky Moore-bus driver; and Susan Lockwood-MVE music teacher. Hirings: Christine Forcum-MVHS library assistant Ken Ward-maintenance; Sherry Milender-MCE Pentathlon sponsor; Kay Burdine-MVMS head cheerleading coach; Warren Welpott-MVHS 30 additional hours for driver’s education; and, Phil Deardorff-MVHS 6 additional hours for driver’s education. Mrs. Clarkson seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Cochard moved to approve lunch prices for the 2001-02 school year, without an increase at $1.55-Elementary, $1.65-MVMS and MVMS, $2.05-adults, and 30 cents for extra milk, and, to approve book rental and fees for the 2001-02 school year, as per the attached. Mrs. Clarkson seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mrs. Baugh presented proof of publications from the Community Shopper and the Greenfield Daily Reporter advertising the need for a $2 million temporary loan for cash flow purposes. Bids were opened as follows: Greenfield Banking Company – 4.1%. There were no other bids submitted. Mr. Cochard moved to approve a $2 million temporary loan for the period of June/July through December 2001, with Greenfield Banking Company at 4.1%, and Resolution, as per the attached. Mrs. Clarkson seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mrs. Baugh presented the 2000-01 year-end SA-5 Reports as submitted by the four building extra-curricular treasures and noted that said reports are filed in the administration building. Mr. Riddle moved to accept said reports. Mrs. Clarkson seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Phares adjourned the meeting to executive session at 8:03pm.

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