[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6171910,"mediaKeyId","5393346-906a94501b3e6f6057b12f830440d15e","parentId",5393346,"title","Board approves higher athletic trip fees for 2025–26; district says increase driven by data","audioSeconds",94,"startMs",5473000,"endMs",5567000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393346-906a94501b3e6f6057b12f830440d15e&start=5473&end=5567","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393346-906a94501b3e6f6057b12f830440d15e/thumbnail_5473000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6171910/Indiana/Board-approves-higher-athletic-trip-fees-for-202526-district-says-increase-driven-by-data","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171910-4d64d5a1cb999accac7adc7bba3dcd87/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603296&Signature=ktcdkzFSnykqJskorcAWLO~t3aViNIHStBp75MX16ru1Df3zUAOdlY4paSlz-Bn9y8NfFGKArPjE~ys2Q7p62A~SEBcPbVJ6kE2wLH87do7oim3I0fgL6e88NzWdVDUGIRuTGACN9Erj0~gC5xskgXa2OOE~L0c83L1uycS3v9daQl-ATUqemYLEBmOHJi37H7XkKeFt3rioHLjo56-MzRmG3GCJGx~flmCmVE1Zl3mb1p8citQAkMHe0R7Ter8hHWcrGS8jnuu6ZDYzCiKTSkMo~FresxsqKfQIg9pAv~Jd5a3WvXEQIL~tDT27IppLaw6h5eCNpKIqHBa~ax6ZFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mt Vernon Community School Corp","date","2025-07-15T12:48:12Z","article","The Mount Vernon Community School board approved an increase in athletic transportation fees Thursday, raising the charge to $75 for high school trips and $40 for middle school trips beginning immediately.

Mister Elkins presented the request for new athletic transportation fees and said the increase was data driven; he said athletic directors and finance staff had reviewed historical costs and concluded the prior fee level caused the program to operate at a deficit. “We tried to find a number that we think we can stick with for at least maybe a couple years, but not operating in the red,” he said.

Action: Board member Chad moved to approve the new fees and Stacy seconded. The board approved the motion by voice/hand vote, 5–0.

Why it matters: Elkins said the new amounts keep the district’s fees lower than neighboring districts while covering transportation costs. Board members thanked staff for providing historical data in advance of the vote.

The fee change was adopted as a finance action by the board and takes effect for upcoming athletic trips and season schedules. The motion did not include exemptions or further subsidy language; district administrators can be contacted for hardship or waiver policies if families have questions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MVCSC School Board Meeting - 7/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Mount Vernon Community School board voted 5-0 to raise athletic trip fees to $75 for high school and $40 for middle school trips, citing historical cost data and the need to eliminate a deficit in the program.","taxTitle","Mt Vernon Community School Corp, School Boards, Indiana","taxId",38749,"location","Indiana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6171915,"District updates strategic plan progress; officials highlight belonging, retention and rising dual-credit enrollment",392,424000,816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393346-906a94501b3e6f6057b12f830440d15e&start=424&end=816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393346-906a94501b3e6f6057b12f830440d15e/thumbnail_424000.jpg","/articles/6171915/Indiana/District-updates-strategic-plan-progress-officials-highlight-belonging-retention-and-rising-dual-credit-enrollment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171915-38947ded995b2c437cdd09cd0db5a0e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603295&Signature=lr2dChGV7AOul5SRFywBx8mA4y~Po61NtPFFKHzaTpXdnEZwxh~TK0c8ywTwHByhiJwgbG8HpRDOl91kTacN70jZ5VUOsemgKEABghmy~z4H1aGe66joQpLIvttrTupqeGeoK8eKec3rYqlI0p7QxMovbyVoD4EDM5Z2IW6zOMIX5mXF9JvejmmWo3LnE4rWXigcs8IFoaWG0kMHPSxm6e9veCqhULLUbFnPp~io4XKweesG4cry1W5ydXg40HCvnNUawcxzQKvnJyP-BzUi1vB23RDnQBgQlAEii-nxTAkNowtGTq~WqKa2rYy7ejtpK4uO~nEOkRunDFtvf2luDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Vernon school administrators reported progress on the district’s strategic plan goals Thursday, describing new programs to increase student belonging, improve staff recruitment and retention, and expand college- and career-readiness offerings.

Maria Bond, director of community relations, presented the status of three district goals launched last July: fostering a sense of belonging, enhancing staff recruitment and retention, and elevating student learning through college- and career programming. She said schools have developed “belonging plans” that include mentoring, advisory time, counselor-led small groups and expanded affinity-based student activities.

Why it matters: the district is linking those local strategies to student outcomes and operational metrics. Bond and other staff reported the 2024–25 certified staff retention rate as 96.13% and noted classified-staff retention near 95%. The district assigned mentors to 16 beginning teachers and said it is expanding registered teacher apprenticeship programs under a statewide WorkOne partnership to increase candidate pipelines.

On learning outcomes, Bond reported increases in dual-credit participation and career certifications: dual-credit enrollments rose to 937 from 815 the prior year, and trade certifications increased from 33 to 61. Bond said essential learnings were realigned during 2024–25 to the 2023 state standards for math and language arts and that the district will use standards-tracking software to report student progress and graduation plans.

Board members asked whether the district is giving teachers additional time to build intentional relationships and whether non-teaching staff (bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers) will be included in belonging strategies. District staff said building administrators are implementing strategies that use support staff and administrative systems for celebration and recognition; data tracking for some relationship-building programs is handled by administrators rather than individual classroom teachers.

No action was required; staff asked board members to review provided materials and said administrators will continue to refine key results and tracking measures over the coming year.","Mount Vernon school administrators briefed the board on the strategic plan, citing three goals — belonging, staff recruitment/retention and elevating student learning — and shared metrics including retention rates, dual-credit enrollments and revised essential learnings aligned to new state standards.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6171920,"Board discusses potential cell tower easement at McCordsville Elementary; public hearing slated if proposal is filed",362,1456000,1818000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393346-906a94501b3e6f6057b12f830440d15e&start=1456&end=1818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393346-906a94501b3e6f6057b12f830440d15e/thumbnail_1456000.jpg","/articles/6171920/Indiana/Board-discusses-potential-cell-tower-easement-at-McCordsville-Elementary-public-hearing-slated-if-proposal-is-filed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171920-b3adb779b812c684fa64e7403c240f3d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603295&Signature=SSb0QWfY3N4mHapNP8-tMoQ3cYw-bai~RbbD7Doz1Ouz9ry2i8AMYRX8nn9S3n-aRnJfemxtJHSSVQuz2UomGQi2izumzU2CJTIklOx39WxccNcv1WslG780qQsp5junLlHg5A4iWXR91zSI4s7Zp4zWN60J7vY0xzvGggrS9fZfYan8vXp0uL80Klj2-ogUsSLur3nrwo3n0UObZrnbGj2UaAQ-Q2ZG8trspdlbyzdHoSmj7tBpkZ6Ejlh~ycWgIjapFj~E2fgWnKyptUe1u9KV8K9~nKFUP6UU3gcetaGVNlJAa9weUkMVtuogsoWe1fr23JwOWKhmAwBYJalLsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Vernon Community School board members discussed a potential lease of an easement at McCordsville Elementary for a cellular tower, and staff said a formal proposal could be brought to the board next month for a public hearing and vote.

Mister Elkins, who presented the item for the finance department, said the corporation has been approached several times in recent years and that, if a company submits a proposal, the board must hold a public hearing before approving any sale or easement. “An easement is just use of and access on our property for someone else's purposes,” he said, describing the legal mechanics and the district’s limited role in construction and zoning.

Why it matters: Elkins told the board the district would not pay construction costs or manage the zoning or building permits; those responsibilities fall to the company and the town. The contract would set terms for access, revenue and any space for the district’s radio equipment. He estimated the site would likely generate modest revenue — he cited “somewhere in the range of $1,500 a month” depending on how many carriers attach to the tower — and emphasized this is not a finalized proposal.

Elkins described site constraints: the tower likely must be accessed from the north rather than directly from State Road 600, and setbacks and federal guidelines limit candidate locations. He said the parcel behind the baseball field is the only feasible place under current setback rules and that the corporation does not anticipate using that parcel for future classroom construction.

Board members asked whether multiple carriers could lease space and whether the district could request space for its own equipment; Elkins said the company would contract with carriers and that the district would negotiate for technical space where allowed. He confirmed any final agreement would be contingent on the town’s zoning approval and that, if the town and company did not reach an agreement, the school’s contract would be null.

No vote was taken; Elkins said staff will accept formal bids and return to the board next month if a proposal arrives, at which time the board will hold the statutory public hearing and can decide whether to approve an easement agreement.","District staff described a potential lease of an easement behind McCordsville Elementary for a cell tower, saying construction and zoning would be handled by the company and the town; the board was briefed and could receive a formal proposal next month and hold a required public hearing.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6171925,"Consultant warns Senate Enrolled Act 1 will push Mount Vernon tax rates higher, trim district revenue",2192,2488000,4680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393346-906a94501b3e6f6057b12f830440d15e&start=2488&end=4680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393346-906a94501b3e6f6057b12f830440d15e/thumbnail_2488000.jpg","/articles/6171925/Indiana/Consultant-warns-Senate-Enrolled-Act-1-will-push-Mount-Vernon-tax-rates-higher-trim-district-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171925-a17df92bdfb8669b340c98057ef97b4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773603295&Signature=E873Nuh6wRk7-6r-YQRvEEn0hByEj2A-VUoqK8I-CT8kIpExHMzifzA6gsNUJr1dBFyAAIJvPQQba4RuNnHaviTkHEQPus7qv50Mu8plOtzQh~PYcIRtUMaleLSN~W7FnUysHo5L~89mEMlkvrVhIvVN19TM8g8YGhnNO2n7hCIZ0Z04pr68gAejULWoDLdw8CEiUVgxEPq5ToFTSPURHFalV8XdtlHh7MRu3jWJcQ36tfoGd7VAc06vSBplxLCGaGBgHz8Wava3eaA7MO5yQi8gWXpSqZjhGStgqOAx7~opKhhN3ULdgEAtEPtWPMPdlxU6AOLJOMUS9eF7VvtnHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Vernon Community School board members heard a detailed analysis Thursday on how Senate Enrolled Act 1 could affect the district’s tax base, revenues and borrowing options. Barry Gardner of Policy Analytics told the board the law will reduce districts’ net assessed value and likely raise school tax rates even if districts do not seek more revenue.

The presentation focused on three main impacts: rising tax rates, pressure on levies and a direct effect on taxpayers. Gardner said the law increases homeowner deductions and phases in other deductions that “drive down net assessed value,” and that change will push tax rates up to generate the same revenue. He added that a new 10% homestead credit (capped at $300) starts in 2026 and immediately reduces revenue the district would otherwise collect.

Why it matters: the district’s revenue math depends on assessed value times the tax rate. Gardner showed scenarios where the district’s net assessed value declines through 2031 because of phased-in deductions, and he cautioned that decline will translate into higher tax rates across school districts statewide. “This legislation is gonna drive a lot of people,” he said, noting projected school tax rate increases of about 30 to 50 cents statewide over the next six years.

Gardner also warned that business personal property reporting thresholds will change in 2027 — the current de minimis reporting amount will move from $80,000 to $2 million — which will reduce business personal property on the tax rolls and further lower net assessed value. He said that change alone worsens district revenue beginning in 2027.

The consultant described an immediate fiscal hit from changes to local income tax (LIT) distributions known as certified shares. Hancock County’s certified-share distribution to Mount Vernon is roughly $1 million; Gardner said current interpretations of the law mean that certified shares to districts will end in 2028 unless counties adopt new agreements, producing a substantial revenue loss for the district.

Gardner also flagged a new wrinkle he called the “bridal” (the 10%/$300 homeowner credit): in the current draft of the law the credit reduces revenue in both the operations and the debt service funds. That cut could create a shortfall in the debt service fund (he modeled roughly $900,000–$1,000,000), and Gardner said state action is likely to protect school debt service — which would move that shortfall into the operations fund instead as soon as 2027.

Gardner recommended continued modeling this fall after Hancock County releases 2026 assessed values and said the district should plan for “muted” revenue growth even as expenses continue to rise. He told board members the district will need to balance debt decisions and day-to-day operations carefully as the law’s effects phase in.

Board reaction and next steps: board members asked clarifying questions about how changes would affect local taxpayers in different townships and whether private schools or charters would receive new LIT distributions (Gardner said private schools do not receive certified shares). Gardner and district staff said they will rerun projections when the county’s 2026 assessed values are final and continue working with the district’s financial advisers on debt planning.

The presentation did not include a board vote; Gardner’s analysis was provided as information for future budget planning and community outreach.","A Policy Analytics consultant told the Mount Vernon Community School board that Senate Enrolled Act 1 will reduce net assessed value, raise tax rates across districts and cut several revenue streams the district now receives, possibly forcing trade-offs between debt service and operations.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves higher athletic trip fees for 2025–26; district says increase driven by data

District updates strategic plan progress; officials highlight belonging, retention and rising dual-credit enrollment

Board discusses potential cell tower easement at McCordsville Elementary; public hearing slated if proposal is filed

Consultant warns Senate Enrolled Act 1 will push Mount Vernon tax rates higher, trim district revenue