“From the Supe’s Desk”
The “From the Supe’s Desk” is a periodic update to key stakeholders of the Mt. Vernon Community
School Corporation from the administration office. The primary purpose of the distribution is to
provide a general corporation wide look at some of the work being done in the district as whole. It is
also an opportunity to internally celebrate some of the work being accomplished in the buildings. We
hope you find it beneficial.
March 3, 2017
Spotlight​;​ ​Digital Learning Grant​; ​A team consisting of Dr. Bond, Mr. Rollo, Mrs.
Noesges, and supported by FES teachers Emily Thompson, Alyson Huston, Jennifer
Kious, Nicole Privett, and Amy Tucker “pitched” our grant proposal of instructional
coaches to the Indiana Department of Education this morning. After making it through
the first phase of this competitive grant, the team traveled to downtown Indianapolis to
pitch our concept while at the same time ​celebrate​ our district. They were incredible
representatives of our community and will make it very hard for the grant team to turn us
down. Please join me in thanking them for their efforts and for representing our
students, staff, and community with pride! If you would like to watch the presentation, it
is linked ​HERE​.
OUTDOOR ATHLETIC STADIUM PROJECT:​ We are excited to announce that we
have plans to move forward with installing turf on the outdoor stadium this summer.
This initiative is one that will provide provide opportunity for us in many ways. First and
foremost, it will allow us to continue to improve on our state-of-the-art facilities. It will be
an opportunity for us to maximize the use of a facility that, at times, can be limited by
weather and further limited by the wear and tear of overuse.
We expect two things: first, it will open up the opportunity for maximal use by a number
of our students ranging from athletics to the arts (band and color guard). Second, it will
be another avenue for us to create revenue by renting the facility when it would typically
not be in use. This business model will allow us to bring money from outside our
community onto campus. It will further allow our clubs and groups to fundraise without
going door to door, but instead allow people to come to them.
Finally, and what I consider to be the most exciting part of the process is our drive to
fund this project 100% through outside investments and donations. Our goal is to not
utilize budget dollars in this process. Maintaining the current facility costs us nearly
$25,000 annually and we will see remarkable savings immediately. Our current
committed partners include: Methodist Sports Medicine, IMI, MV Band Boosters, MVHS
Athletic Department, MVMS Athletic Department, and Greenfield Banking Company.
We have three additional vendors who have expressed interest, but out of respect, I will
leave them unnamed until we have a firm commitment.
FEDERAL GRANTS:​ According to the weekly message from State Superintendent of
Public Instruction, Dr. Jennifer McCormick, “The government is currently being funded
by a continuing resolution (CR), passed in December 2016, through April 28, 2017. As
such, Indiana Department of Education has not received allocations for the new Title IV
or ​other federal grants​ under ESSA. Furthermore, we were told to expect cuts in
federal funds in the SY 2017-18 budget. The Indiana Department of Education will
continue to engage with the United States Education Department and keep us updated.”
2017 GENERAL ASSEMBLY HALFWAY POINT:
It is now “half time” in the legislature. For a bill to continue moving forward, it must have
passed the House by February 27​th​ or the Senate by February 28​th​. Sixty of the 140
education-related bills that we are tracking have advanced to the second chamber
including:
● HB 1001, the state budget, which funds K-12 education
● HB 1009, which consolidates the capital projects fund, the transportation fund,
the school bus replacement fund, an art association or a historical society fund,
and the public playground fund into an “operations fund”
● SB 309, which phases out “net metering” pricing for consumer solar or wind
electrical generation (including by schools)
● SBs 29, 86, 117, 337, and 435, which make various changes to curriculum
requirements
● HB 1004 and SB 276, which expand the state Pre-K pilot program
● HB 1079 (and various senate bills), which make significant changes relating to
employee background checks and preventing employee misconduct
● HB 1007, which would provide an “education course access program” under
which a student could take courses from any IDOE-approved course provider
with the student’s school corporation paying the tuition fee for the course.
Marauder Character Counts
MVMS CAFETERIA PROJECT:​ I know it seems like we have been discussing the
MVMS cafeteria project for months, and we have. However, the real work is about to
begin. The site surveys are complete and we have been meeting behind the scenes.
The construction dumpsters will be set either today or early next week as demo is ready
to begin. We are still scheduled for a project completion of July so the cafeteria will be
ready for student use to start the 2017-18 school year.
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Shane
Dr. Shane Robbins, ATC, LAT
Superintendent of Schools
MVCSC Core Beliefs:
Engage, Educate & Empower ​Today's Students to Seize Tomorrow's Opportunities