The regular monthly meeting of the Mount Vernon Community School District School was held on September 12, 2023. The following topics were addressed during the meeting:
Approval of Agenda: The meeting agenda was approved as written with no changes proposed.
Public Comments: Two patrons provided public comments during the meeting. One patron expressed the tremendous good taking place in the district; and provided several examples of great things going on in the district, especially at the middle school. Another patron, a student in the middle school, thanked the district for its support of the middle school Gay-Straight Alliance and supporting its recent honor as the Middle School GSA of the Year for the state of Iowa.
Superintendent Report: Dr. Batenhorst spoke about the positive beginning of the school year, highlighting numerous achievements that have been realized already in just a few weeks of school. Dr. Batenhorst also outlined the celebrations that would take place in the next few weeks related to the opening of the new activities complex.
Program Division
Superintendent Search: The Board approved Ray and Associates from Cedar Rapids as the search firm for the upcoming superintendent search. The Board will now work on a contract agreement with the firm.
School Highlight: MVHS Principal Steve Brand provided an overview on all the academic programming at Mount Vernon High School highlighting programs that make Mount Vernon High School unique and exemplary, especially in comparison to schools in the area and schools of similar size.
Review of Iowa State Assessment of Student Progress Results: Dr. Batenhorst provided an overview of the results of the ISASP testing from the spring of 2023. Dr. Batenhorst highlighted the consistency of strong results over a four year period of time, and discussed the high level of proficiency achieved by the students in the 2023 testing.
Approval of Membership for the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC): The Board approved the membership for SIAC for the 2023-2024 school year. SIAC will hold meetings in October and March, with these meetings open to the public.
Personnel Division
Approval of Personnel Contracts for New Hires: The Board approved the hiring of individuals for support staff positions for the 2023-2024 school year.
Facilities Division
Activities Complex Update: Dr. Batenhorst provided an update on the progress of the construction of the new activities complex, including outlining the plans for the transition from the First Street Field to the new activities complex. The facility will open on September 28, 2023.
Administrative Division
Reports: No reports were offered during this portion of the meeting.
Unfinished Business: The November meeting has been moved back to Monday, November 13, 2023. The new Board will take over during the December 11, 2023, meeting.
Consent Agenda: All items in the Consent Agenda were approved as presented.
The next regular meeting of the Board will take place on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.