The regular monthly meeting of the Mount Vernon Community School District School was held on January 10, 2022.  The following topics were addressed during the meetings:

 

Approval Agenda:  The meeting agenda was approved as written with no changes proposed.

Superintendent Report:  Dr. Batenhorst provided a reflection on the six teachers who have opted to accept the District’s Early Retirement Incentive Plan, and also praised the work of School Business Official, Matt Burke, who is also retiring.  He also spoke of the challenges that all school districts are facing now and in the future with regard to recruiting and retaining quality staff members.  Dr. Batenhorst shared that the District is currently working on its staffing plan for 2022-2023 that will be shared with the Management Committee in the next few weeks, and the full Board prior to the February meeting.  The staff will also be provided with an overview of the staffing needs and priorities of the District in the near future.   

Public Comments:  No public comments were made during the meeting. 

Program Division

COVID-19 Update/Staff Vaccination Mandate Policy:  Dr. Batenhorst provided an update on the COVID-19 cases data for the District, including providing data related to the new metrics being used that call for the wearing of masks in an individual building if that building experiences 2% of its students out due to COVID-19, and 8% of its students out due to illness.  Dr. Batenhorst also discussed with the Board the new quarantine guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control.  The Board then voted to approve a new policy regarding the proposed federal vaccination/testing mandate for employees.  This policy will not go into effect until there is further clarification on where the mandate stands in the courts. 

Iowa School Performance Profile:  Dr. Batenhorst provided an overview of the performance of the District as reported by the Iowa Department of Education via the Iowa School Performance Profile.  Overall, all three schools showed substantial improvement on this measurement, achieving their highest scores on the protocols since they were introduced in 2018.   

Personnel Division:  The Board approved the hiring of a series of support staff members, including secretaires, associates, and coaches.  The Board also reviewed the Early Retirement Incentive Program in which six teachers have chosen to be involved.  Dr. Batenhorst also provided the Board with a preview of the process to determine staffing needs and recommendations for 2022-2023.   

Facilities Division:  Dr. Batenhorst provided the Board with a yearly update to the Twenty Year Facilities Vision, and also shared a list of facility and maintenance priorities for the next several years.   

Administrative Division:  There were no items in the Administrative Division.    

Reports:  No reports were offered by Board members during the meeting.   

Unfinished Business:  The Board discussed possible changes to the dates of the next several Board meetings due to a variety of conflicts for Board members and administrators.  The following changes were made to the meeting calendar:

February Meeting:  Move from February 14, 2022, to February 7, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.

March Meeting:  Move from March 14, 2022, to March 8, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.

Work Session:  The Board chose January 27, 2022, for a work session focused on goal setting and learning one another’s skills as Board members.  The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. 

Consent Agenda:  All items in the Consent Agenda were approved as presented. 

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the School Board is scheduled for Monday, February 7, 2022.  The location will be changed to the MVHS Library.