In a special meeting held on January 19, 2026, the Mt. Vernon R-V Board of Education hired Jonathan Aldrich to be the next Maintenance Director for MV Schools. Jonathan comes with over 29 years of experience in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. He is also Universal EPA certified. We are very excited to have you as a part of our MV Team!
The Mt. Vernon R-V School District Board of Education met in regular session on January 22, 2026.
- MV-MVP Awards: We were proud to recognize our MV-MVPs for the months of December and January for their outstanding contributions to our school culture.
- Mrs. Sarah Mayne, MVIS Counselor, was recognized as the December MV-MVP.
Sarah Mayne has been nothing short of transformative in supporting student success within our school community. Her unwavering dedication is evident in the way she seamlessly collaborates with the office, teachers, and parents to ensure that every student’s academic, social, and emotional needs are thoughtfully and thoroughly met. Her counselor newsletter is a shining example of her commitment to families—beautifully crafted, informative, and deeply intentional. She actively engages with counselors across the district.
Positivity and a ray of sunshine are the first words that come to mind when thinking about Sarah. She greets everyone with warmth in the halls. She brings a "how can I help" attitude along with a go getter response. She is always willing to go above and beyond to do what is best for students and staff. Sarah works beyond her "requirements" to ensure safety of all students.
Outside of school, Sarah is active in her church and school counselor organization. She also attends many MV events, and she does this while still attending school.
Sarah can always be counted on. She is all in—every day, in every way—for the students of Mount Vernon. We are lucky to have her!
- Mrs. Lynn Richardson, MVIS custodian, was recognized as the January MV-MVP Mrs. Richardson takes pride in everything she does. She understands the important role a clean, safe, and welcoming school environment plays in student success and community confidence. She thoughtfully schedules her vacation around the school calendar so she can devote her entire summer to this work. She actively encourages students to respect and take pride in their school, helping foster a sense of ownership and responsibility throughout the building.
When asked what she enjoys most about her job, Mrs. Richardson will always say it’s the people — especially the students. Her genuine love for children is evident in every interaction, as her joy and warmth shine through in the way she connects with them each day. She takes special care to encourage students by giving them important jobs around the building and rewarding their efforts, making them feel valued and appreciated. Mrs. Richardson’s positive spirit and caring heart leave a lasting impression on everyone who has the privilege of working with her.
Mrs. Richardson is the definition of a team player. She values the people she works with and consistently shows her support through her actions, encouragement, and leadership. Her ability to bring others together and make them feel appreciated contributes greatly to the strong sense of community within our school.
Lynn Richardson is a gem! MVIS would not be the same without her!
- Board of Education Elections: Filing for the April 7th election has closed. As only the three incumbents—Justin Bellis, John Cowherd, and Jeremy Pendleton—filed, the District will not be required to hold an election this spring.
- Attendance Trends: December’s Average Daily Seated Attendance (ADA) was 1282.81. As enrollment has been trending downward in the last year, we will be monitoring attendance trends to guide future district planning.
- JAG Program Spotlight: Mrs. Lindsay Cornell and students from the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program shared their experiences in the JAG program at the Middle School and High School. The Board also approved potential travel for students to attend the National JAG Competition in Salt Lake City this May, should they qualify at the State level in March.
- PAC Update: David Grey from Veregy provided an update on the Performing Arts Center (PAC). The band room/shelter slab was poured and the rebar footings were completed. In the upcoming weeks, ICF block walls will go up, structural steel will follow the ICF walls, and the band room and shelter roof will be completed. The Board also reviewed final quotes for district-wide Audio-Visual upgrades, including high-resolution LED screens and camera cabling.
- Mount Vernon Mountaineer Hall of Fame: Plans are finalized for the induction of the second Hall of Fame class. The banquet will be held Sunday, March 29, from 4 PM – 6 PM. Tickets are available for $15. Congratulations to our 2026 Hall of Fame Class:
- Administrator: Ed Spencer
- Teacher: Cindi Cox
- Athlete: Zach Kleine
- Team: 1978 Football Team
- Student: Dick Mason
- Food Services: Greg Powell from OPAA presented a report on the district’s food service operations and nutritional standards.
In Closed Session:
- Rachel Zerby will transition into the High School Media Specialist position for the upcoming year, following the retirement of Trish Johnston. This will open an English position at the High School.
- Bree Wilson will be moving to the Middle School as the new 8th Grade ELA teacher. This position is currently being filled by a critical shortage teacher. Mrs. Wilson is currently teaching second grade. The vacant second grade position will not be filled at this time, as this was funded by a class size reduction grant that will not have funding available next year.
- Sadie Musick and Josh Low were approved to be coaches on the Middle School softball coaching staff.
- Resignations: The Board accepted the resignation of Susie Gasser, who served as a Process Coordinator. We thank Mrs. Gasser for her service to our students and to Mt. Vernon School District, as she has been a positive asset to our school community. This position will be covered internally for the remainder of the school year and the position will be posted for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Substitute Teachers were approved.
The next scheduled Board meeting will be held at 7:00 PM on February 19, 2026 in the District Administration Office boardroom.