Brett Karkosh

The Mount Vernon Community School District's strategic framework outlines its mission to foster growth and confidence in learners and its vision to become an exemplary district of choice through collaborative goal-setting. The plan emphasizes several core beliefs: ensuring high-level learning and social-emotional support for all students, developing students as thoughtful global citizens, empowering staff as key role models, maintaining a healthy and respectful culture, and fostering a positive role within the Mount Vernon community. Key commitments include developing effective instructional strategies, providing individualized learning opportunities, addressing social and emotional needs, enhancing school climate, planning for facilities upgrades, establishing robust communication protocols, and upholding equity.

The annual meeting will include a review of the fiscal year 2023 financial summary and treasurer's report. The regular monthly meeting will cover a superintendent search update, reflections from the IASB convention, approval of contracts (including Racheal Lawrence as High School Associate), preparation for a facilities report, and the first reading of several school policies. Other agenda items include board reports, committee assignments, and a review of bills, open enrollments, resignations, out-of-state trip requests, student teacher agreements, special education contracts, and a school budget review committee application.

The school board meeting will discuss options for savings due to the district's financial situation and additional financial matters related to staff compensation. The agenda includes approving contracts for middle school girls' track coaches, reviewing program, personnel, facility, and administrative division reports, and addressing unfinished business. Consent agenda items include approving greeters, minutes from previous meetings, bills, a financial summary, open enrollments, resignations, out-of-state trip requests, student teacher agreements, and special education contracts.

The school board meeting will include a public hearing for the 2024-2025 budget. Discussion will cover options for savings due to the district's financial situation and additional financial matters related to staff compensation. Personnel matters will include discussions regarding the high school head football coach and a middle school social studies teacher. The meeting will also include a presentation and approval of the 2024-2025 budget, as well as a budget amendment resolution.

The Mount Vernon Community School District Board of Directors has established goals for the period of School Year 2025 to School Year 2029. These goals encompass three main areas: maintaining a fiscally responsible district, ensuring well-prepared graduates, and establishing the district as a district of choice. Key performance indicators include increasing the Unspent Authorized Budget Ratio and Solvency Ratio, improving kindergarten readiness and student proficiency on the Iowa Statewide Assessment, increasing college credit attainment and participation in work-based learning, and maintaining high employee retention and staff connectedness.