Mount Vernon News

MOUNT VERNON — Due to the large number of community members in attendance, Monday’s meeting of the Mount Vernon City Schools Board of Education was moved from the middle school to the high school auditorium. More than 350 were present for the public participation portion of the meeting, and 28 individuals addressed the board concerning the suspension and intention to fire middle school science teacher John Freshwater.

Some of the speakers expressed support for Freshwater. One of those supporters was Andrew Thompson who said the saying is right: “The man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” Thompson called the investigation “incomplete, biased and full of all-out lies.”

Fellow teachers Wes Elifritz and Lori Miller were also among those speaking on Freshwater’s behalf.

Some of the speakers said they supported the board’s actions. Ron Griggs apologized to the board members for not speaking up sooner in their behalf. He said he has seen the young earth creationism handouts allegedly distributed by Freshwater, and said since he is a Christian, the whole situation makes him both angry and sad.

“There are many in this community who support the school board and respect how you have responded to the issue,” Catriona Keller told the school board members. “Many cannot condone the way the community has responded to those who don’t support Mr. Freshwater.”

Some of the speakers said they respected the board in general, but disagreed with the decision to terminate Freshwater. Caleb McCoy was among that group, as was Darcy Miller.

“I’m not against the school board, I’m against this decision,” said Miller, who described Freshwater as a man of God, character and integrity. McCoy said he thought the board is “doing a great job,” but asked why it wants to get rid of Freshwater when so many in the community support him.

Freshwater also appealed to the board, asking it to have the courage and professionalism to be unbiased in its final decision.

All of the board members welcomed the audience members, who were encouraged to attend future board meetings, as well as supporting the youth of the district by attending extracurricular events.

Prior to the start of the business meeting, Superintendent Steve Short introduced the new director of student services, Cindy Weiss, and new treasurer Barbara Donohue.

Personnel actions taken by the board included the advancement of several individuals on the certified salary schedule due to verification of hours and/or experience. They are Stacey Baker, Donna Evert, Jacquelyn Miller, Anthony Springer, Lindsey Staats and Andrea Sweeney. A number of substitute teachers, tutors and supplemental/extra duty contracts were also approved.

Wayne Bower was hired to supervise video announcements for the 2008-09 school year, and Helen Rosser was named middle school technology leader. New hires include Caroline DeToro, high school art, and Marie Minor, primary readiness teacher at East Elementary and Wiggin Street Elementary.

The following classified staff resignations were accepted by the board: Ann Ford, library aide at East Elementary, and Jeffrey Schaade, summer work crew. Karen Edwards, Judy McVay, John Shaw, Isaac Singrey and Maxine Vaden were added to the classified substitute list; and Tom Keller was employed as a bus driver, effective Aug. 21. Lori Sinnett was approved as a high school inclusion assistant; and stipends were approved for extra duty to be performed by Christine Hohman, Juanita Nugent and the summer work crew.

In addition to approving routine fiscal actions, the board re-established student activity funds, and approved cooperative agreements with various school districts and agencies for the education and provision of related services for handicapped students.

With regard to special services, the board entered into agreements with Mary Lou Herrold to provide special education facilitator services as of Aug. 22, Jennifer Laluzerne to provide behavioral consulting and with Carol Laufersweiler to provide supplemental parent mentor outreach services. That will be funded through the IDEA grant. The board also approved transportation arrangements for handicapped students, approved the Knox County Health Department to conduct physical examinations as required and confirmed occupational therapy contracts.

Occupational therapy will be provided by R.C. Therapy Inc. of Mansfield, with Debra Ronk as the occupational therapist. Jolene Kiser of Habilitation Services of Columbus will be the occupational therapist aide; John Bradford will also provide OT services.

Physical therapy will be provided by Licking County Rehabilitation Inc. Linzie Conn will be the physical therapist and the aide will be Linda Owen.

In other action, the board appointed Steve Hughes as a delegate to the Ohio School Boards Association capital conference, and named Jody Goetzman as the alternate. The board also authorized the treasurer to re-bid the contract for security cameras for the high school and middle school. This is due to not receiving bids that were acceptable by the board for the dollar amount and/or not meeting the specifications for the project.