Mount Vernon Community School District School Board News Brief

July 2021

The regular monthly meeting of the Mount Vernon Community School District School was held on July 15, 2021, with the following issues discussed:

Public Hearing Related to Use of ESSER III (COVID-19 relief) Funds:

The Board discussed how to use the most recent federal funding related to COVID-19 relief, an amount just over $300,000.  Public input was also allowed at this time, with no patrons sharing input.  The District will use the funds to pay COVID-related expenses in the following areas:

  • Addressing student learning loss
  • Summer teaching
  • Technology support of 1:1 initiative
  • Substitute staff hiring
  • Other COVID-19 related work by employees
  • Sanitizing buildings and buses

Superintendent Report:

Dr. Batenhorst provided information related to the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year.  Dr. Batenhorst focused on his goals in executing the District’s professional learning plan; and discussed that the beginning of the year staff meetings would focus on areas of culture, social-emotional learning, professional collaboration, and structures of teaching and learning in the District.   

Public Comments:

No public comments were offered during the meeting. 

Programs Division:

Dr. Batenhorst provided for discussion and approval the following handbooks for 2021-2022:  Student handbooks for Washington Elementary, Mount Vernon MIddle School, and Mount Vernon HIgh School; the 2021-2022 Staff Handbook; the Certified Staff Employee Handbook; and the Non-Certified Staff Employee Handbook.  All handbooks were approved for the 2021-2022 school year.

Personnel Update:

The Board approved the hiring of a new associate at Washington Elementary, and a new Art teacher at Mount Vernon Middle School.  The contract for the Art teacher is contingent upon the candidate being released from her contract in another district.  No formal contract will be offered until a release is granted from the other district.  An additional stipend was also approved for a summer baseball coach.   

Facilities Update:

Dr. Batenhorst  provided an update on the proposed Mustang Activities Complex.  Dr. Batenhorst also provided a brief overview on the progress with the new softball complex, the Washington Elementary parking lot, and the secured entrances to the elementary and high schools.  

Update on Upcoming Board Election:

School Board members were reminded of the guidelines for the upcoming School Board election to be held in November 2021.  Current Board member Sherry Grunder has expressed she will not run again, while Board member Lori Merlak shared her intention to run again.  Board member Rick Elliott has not expressed his intention at this point.  Any community members interested in running for a seat on the School Board are encouraged to contact the District Office for more details.    

Reports:

No Board reports were offered during the meeting.  

Unfinished Business:

No unfinished business was addressed during the meeting.      

Consent Agenda:

All items in the Consent Agenda were approved as presented. 

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the School Board is scheduled from Monday, August 9, 2021.