MOUNT VERNON — When the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education met in regular session on Monday, board members and the audience observed a moment of silence in memory of parent Karen Vonck, student Justin Richert and treasurer Nancy Sinclair, all of whom recently passed away.
The board then celebrated student achievement. It commended Latin exam gold and silver medalists, state science fair participant Jessica McQuigg, scholar athletes and outstanding athletes. The board also recognized recently or soon-to-be retired staff members Paula Barone, Ron Bodart, Marcia Bond, Erika Crites, Ann Dice, Claudia Grove, Joyce Lawson, Peggy Mavis, Jewel Porter, Linda Smith and Jeri Staats.
Following a report from Mount Vernon Education Association President Karen Seward, the board opened the meeting to public participation. Individuals in attendance had three minutes each to address the board, with the board taking no part in the discussion.
Chuck Kerr asked whether the board will share facts on Dr. Al Haschak and his absence. Thom Collier expressed appreciation and encouragement to the board members, and said he supported their search for the truth as well as the facts.
Recent graduate Caleb McCoy spoke in support of John Freshwater, and Jeff Cline said the Minutemen United are keeping the focus on the Bible. Max Erwin Sr. asked whether it is acceptable for a teacher to have a personal Bible on his or her desk in the Mount Vernon City Schools, and Rick Miller said, “We need Christian values in the school system.” Darcy Miller said the board may have set an unwelcome precedent in launching an investigation into Freshwater’s actions, because other parents may object to what other teachers may be doing or saying in class.
Regarding personnel, the board appointed Barbara Donohue as interim treasurer and accepted resignations from Patti Geoppinger, Dan Emmett student council advisor; Lauren Martin, Wiggin Street peer mediation; and Geraldine Risner, high school technology leader. Shae Baxter, Andrew Lane and Jill McClure were advanced on the salary schedule due to completion of requirements, and a large number of summer school teachers and teacher aides were approved. Hedwig Evans was approved to provide Spanish interpreter services for the families of handicapped students during meetings and the individualized educational plan process.
Also approved were a list of home instructors, preschool transition evaluators and extended-year contracts. Instructors for X-Schedule classes were approved, as were a number of supplemental contracts. New administrative contracts were awarded to Karen Boylan, Pleasant Street Elementary School principal, and Cindy Weiss, student services director. Additional new hires include Savannah Craft, intervention specialist and two classes of physical education at the high school; Mary Jane Ferguson, second grade at Twin Oak; Christine Keaton, gifted intervention at the middle school; Michelle Laslo, fifth grade, Columbia Elementary; and Anthony Springer, orchestra director. Lindsey Staats was hired as a yearlong substitute at Twin Oak, and a list of substitute teachers and administrators was approved. Christina McManaway and Anthony Savage were hired as lay coaches for freshman girls volleyball and middle school golf, respectively.
With regard to classified staff, the board approved the transfers of secretary Ginny Carter from East Elementary to Central Office, and of Christine Hohman from technology aide at Twin Oak to library aide at Twin Oak. It also hired Destiny Smith as a part-time secretary at Pleasant Street and approved a new contract for assistant treasurer Pamela Roberts. The board added to the classified substitute list, extended Rick Day’s contract to provide security maintenance on the middle school and high school lockers, and established the classified substitute pay rates for the 2008-09 school year.
Before acting on fiscal matters, the board discussed the process for the hiring of a treasurer. It can either conduct the search itself, or purchase the services of an outside agency. Superintendent Steve Short will look into costs and report back to the board at the June 18 work session. The board then approved routine financial items and renewed participation in the Ohio School Boards Association Workers’ Compensation Group Rating Program. Donohue said participation in the plan can save the district over $81,000 in premium costs.
The board also authorized the interim treasurer to solicit competitive bids for upgrades to the security cameras for the high school and middle school and approved transportation arrangements for a handful of handicapped pupils.
The board approved revisions to the interscholastic athletics policy with regard to eligibility and ratified the contract with the Mount Vernon Education Association.
Other actions taken by the board included the approval of an overnight stay in the fall at Nature’s Classroom for grade-five students at East Elementary and Wiggin Street Elementary. It also accepted an early childhood education grant from the Ohio Department of Education to provide, in partnership with the Knox County Educational Service Center, a new public preschool unit of 20 students for fiscal year 2009. Tuition will be based on family income, and children with Individualized Education Plans will be able to attend at no cost to the family.