Board approves curriculum purchases, adopts course handbook and authorizes application for state loan (5‑0)

The Mount Vernon School Board unanimously approved several motions on March 10, including curriculum adoptions requested by district committees, the Mount Vernon High School course handbook for the class of 2029 and beyond, and permission to apply for a Common School Fund loan in the spring application period.

Curriculum adoption: Dr. Shipley presented committee recommendations across multiple grade levels and subject areas. The board approved the recommended materials, which included high‑school science textbook adoptions (McGraw‑Hill and Pearson titles), Generation Genius for elementary science (K–4), English 3D (HMH) for middle school English and four novels recommended by a district novel committee. Dr. Shipley said the novel‑review process used a one‑pager, committee comments and asynchronous voting; she noted committee membership included teachers and parents. The motion to approve all curriculum materials passed 5‑0.

Course handbook: High school principal Brooke Thorpe told the board the state has introduced a new Indiana diploma. The district proposes additional Mount Vernon diploma requirements to ensure college and career readiness, including one additional English credit (for a total of eight plus a communication focus), requiring Geometry and Algebra II in math as minimums for college admissions, two biology credits plus two additional science/STEM credits and one computer science credit, an economics social‑studies credit, and two PE credits and one health credit (the state requires fewer). Under the proposal Mount Vernon would require 45 credits for graduation (vs. the Indiana diploma’s 42) and would adopt a Latin honors system beginning with the class of 2029. The board approved the Mount Vernon High School Course Handbook for the class of 2029 and beyond by a 5‑0 vote.

Common School Fund loan application: The board granted staff permission to apply for the spring Common School Fund loan. Chief financial/staff presenters said the loan is an advance on state tuition support (a low‑interest loan repaid via withheld tuition support over one to five years) and is not considered new debt. Mr. Elkins explained the district regularly uses the program and, if approved, will likely reclassify repayment through the debt service fund. Mr. Hamilton summarized planned uses: “About 70% of this loan will go to replace our wireless network across the district,” and the remainder would continue the district’s classroom/teacher device refresh program. The board voted 5‑0 to allow the application; a separate approval step would follow if the district is granted the loan.

Votes at a glance:

• Curriculum adoption (item 7.1) — Motion: “I move that we approve all curriculum materials as presented.” Mover: Kelly Freeman; Second: Chad Gray. Vote: Freeman, Walls, Gray, Britt, Nelson — Yes (5‑0). Notes: Materials include McGraw‑Hill and Pearson science texts, Generation Genius (K–4), HMH English 3D (middle school), and four novels added to the district novel list.

• Mount Vernon High School Course Handbook (item 7.2) — Motion: “I make a motion that we approve the Mount Vernon High School Course Handbook for the class of 2029 and beyond as presented.” Mover: Chad Gray; Second: Kelly Freeman. Vote: Freeman, Walls, Gray, Britt, Nelson — Yes (5‑0). Notes: Adopts district requirements above the state Indiana diploma and moves to Latin honors beginning with class of 2029.

• Permission to apply for Common School Fund loan (item 7.3) — Motion: “I move that we approve the application to apply for the common school fund loan.” Mover: Kelly Freeman; Second: Stacy Nelson. Vote: Freeman, Walls, Gray, Britt, Nelson — Yes (5‑0). Notes: If awarded, district staff will return with the loan documents for formal board approval.

Routine motions: The board also adopted the meeting agenda and approved the consent agenda (minutes, personnel report, claims, construction change orders, transfers, overnight trips and donations) by voice votes recorded as 5‑0.

No motions failed or were tabled at the March 10 meeting.