Mt. Vernon school board delays salary action, primary action focuses on staffing secondary posts

Mt. Vernon school board members heard salary recommendations and policy revisions for the coming year as well as personnel action at their May meeting. 

Looking ahead to next year, the board received feedback from the Community Teachers Association on proposed salaries and benefits, gathered with the Salary and Welfare Committee. No action on salaries and benefits will be taken until the June 25 board meeting at the close of the current school year, when the board will have a clearer view of the district’s financial position going forward. 

Board members approved continuing the district’s participation in federal Title programs for the coming year, viewed as vital to supporting services to students. 

Policy revisions proposed by the Missouri State School Boards Association also received approval. According to Superintendent Christina West, changes made reflected current legislation. Revisions improved clarity and brevity to existing policies. 

Personnel action

Board members approved five resignations from paraprofessionals. Sandy Seitz, who had been with the district since March 2024, and Mandy Ross, who’s been with the district since August 2023, left their posts at the Early Childhood Center. Danielle Brown and Lainey Smith left their intermediate school jobs, where they’ve served for the past year. Tim Hardyman left his position at the middle school, where he’s been this past year. 

The board hired Joey Parks as middle school girls’ basketball coach for the coming year. He was already coaching the middle school boys’ team. 

Randall Hurd, who has more than 20 years’ experience in plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, and construction, was hired for the vacant head maintenance position. Two custodians were also hired. 

The list of substitute teachers was also updated. 

Updates

Superintendent West presented a slide show updating progress on constructing the Performing Arts Center. 

Attendance for the school year reached an overall rate of 94 percent, showing average in-person daily attendance at almost 1,293 students. West noted a small increase in attendance during April over March. 

The school board’s MVP program closed the school year naming media specialist and Student Council advisory Trish Johnston as the district’s overall MVP for the year.