The 5th grade created their class mission statement earlier this week.
Why does Mount Vernon need an opt out?
Over the next few weeks, we’re sharing quick facts about the proposed opt out for the Mount Vernon School District. Our goal is to give you clear, accurate information so those eligible to vote can make an informed decision on September 9.
**Why do we need an opt out?**
📊 We compare expenses vs. revenue.
Example for 2025–26:
- Expenses: $2,886,478
- Revenue: $2,384,054
- **Deficit: $502,424**
For the 2025-2026 school year, Mount Vernon School District faces a projected deficit. This deficit reflects genuine financial needs rather than discretionary spending. As costs for salaries, benefits, supplies, and services continue to rise with inflation, while revenue increases are often capped or formula-limited by state law, the gap naturally widens over time.
📅 Learn more at our next Public Info Meeting:
Sep 3, 7 PM – Tom Young Community Center
Over the next few weeks, we’re sharing quick facts about the proposed opt out for the Mount Vernon School District. Our goal is to give you clear, accurate information so those eligible to vote can make an informed decision on September 9.
**Why do we need an opt out?**
📊 We compare expenses vs. revenue.
Example for 2025–26:
- Expenses: $2,886,478
- Revenue: $2,384,054
- **Deficit: $502,424**
For the 2025-2026 school year, Mount Vernon School District faces a projected deficit. This deficit reflects genuine financial needs rather than discretionary spending. As costs for salaries, benefits, supplies, and services continue to rise with inflation, while revenue increases are often capped or formula-limited by state law, the gap naturally widens over time.
📅 Learn more at our next Public Info Meeting:
Sep 3, 7 PM – Tom Young Community Center
Volleyball Parents********Memory mates were not included in the picture packets that came home yesterday. The team pictures will be retaken on the day of school pictures in Mount Vernon. The reason for that is so they can be included in with their team (ie. varsity, junior varsity, etc) and not just in their grade.
FYI to all sports parents*************fall sports pictures will be taken at a later date next year to better streamline the process.
FYI to all sports parents*************fall sports pictures will be taken at a later date next year to better streamline the process.
Elementary Dress-Up Days! Parade theme is Disney Movies.
Can funds be moved around?
Over the next few weeks, we’re sharing quick facts about the proposed opt out for the Mount Vernon School District. Our goal is to give you clear, accurate information so those eligible to vote can make an informed decision on September 9.
**Can funds be moved around?**
Yes, but with limits. By law, the district can **transfer up to 45%** of yearly capital outlay revenue to the general fund.
General Fund = day-to-day operations
Capital Outlay = buildings and equipment
It’s about using every dollar wisely while following state rules.
📅 Learn more at our next Public Info Meeting:
Sep 3, 7 PM – Tom Young Community Center
Over the next few weeks, we’re sharing quick facts about the proposed opt out for the Mount Vernon School District. Our goal is to give you clear, accurate information so those eligible to vote can make an informed decision on September 9.
**Can funds be moved around?**
Yes, but with limits. By law, the district can **transfer up to 45%** of yearly capital outlay revenue to the general fund.
General Fund = day-to-day operations
Capital Outlay = buildings and equipment
It’s about using every dollar wisely while following state rules.
📅 Learn more at our next Public Info Meeting:
Sep 3, 7 PM – Tom Young Community Center
Game Day!! MVP Titan football opens up tonight vs the McCook Central Montrose Fighting Cougars. Kickoff is at 7pm in Mount Vernon. Tune into Titans Live on youtube for streaming access! #RollTitans
Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Homecoming Royal Court -
Back Row: Camden Stahl, Tyce Feistner, Riley Mayer, Cole Sandland
Front Row: AuBree Tollefson, Brooklyn Bosma, Taryn Hegg, Allyson Espedal
Coronation is set for Monday September 8, 2025
Back Row: Camden Stahl, Tyce Feistner, Riley Mayer, Cole Sandland
Front Row: AuBree Tollefson, Brooklyn Bosma, Taryn Hegg, Allyson Espedal
Coronation is set for Monday September 8, 2025
Get your official 2025-2026 MVP Titans Apparel!! All orders that are placed by the 1st of the month will be delivered to the school by the 15th of that month.
$2 from the sale of each item will be donated to the MV Student Council/Plankinton Senior Class.
Place your orders here:
https://www.gcndesign.com/mvp-titans.html
$2 from the sale of each item will be donated to the MV Student Council/Plankinton Senior Class.
Place your orders here:
https://www.gcndesign.com/mvp-titans.html
Where does school money go?
Over the next few weeks, we’re sharing quick facts about the proposed opt out for the Mount Vernon School District. Our goal is to give you clear, accurate information so those eligible to vote can make an informed decision on September 9.
💰 Myth: All school funds go into one big pot.
✅ Fact: Funds are separate and have different purposes.
A common misconception is that all school funds go into a single account to be spent wherever needed. In reality, South Dakota law strictly governs how each fund can be used, creating a complex financial management system that requires careful planning and compliance. While the separation of funds ensures accountability, it can create challenges when one fund faces shortfalls while another has a positive balance. Different buckets. Different rules.
- General Fund: Salaries, utilities, supplies
- Capital Outlay: Buildings, equipment (can’t be used for salaries)
- Special Education
- Food Service
- Enterprise Funds
The Mount Vernon School District's finance department must carefully manage each fund according to its legal parameters while meeting the educational needs of students and maintaining facilities. Understanding this fundamental structure is essential for comprehending why opt outs become necessary despite apparent balances in other funds.
📅 Learn more at our next Public Info Meeting:
Sep 3, 7 PM – Tom Young Community Center
Just glimpse of a few items available with todays lunch. Farm to School hamburger patties made with beef donated by many of our local producers, grilled onion, baked beans, and a full salad bar!
If you have a child ages birth to 5 and would like to participate in the Developmental Screening please sign your child up.
What is an Opt Out?
Over the next few weeks, we’re sharing quick facts about the proposed opt out for the Mount Vernon School District. Our goal is to give you clear, accurate information so those eligible to vote can make an informed decision on September 9.
**What is a school 'opt out'?**
When a school district cannot operate effectively with the revenue generated by the maximum allowed for the general fund or capital outlay funds under standard limitations, the district may choose to "opt out" of these limitations. This action requires formal approval through a resolution by the school board and, in this year’s case, a public vote since the resolution has been challenged through a petition process.
For taxpayers, an opt out means a higher property tax levy than would otherwise be assessed. For the school district, opt out funding provides crucial operational support that helps maintain appropriate class sizes, offer diverse programs, retain quality teachers, and provide necessary educational resources.
Opt outs represent a critical local control mechanism in South Dakota's school funding system, allowing communities to determine what level of investment they wish to make in their educational systems beyond the standard state-determined funding formulas.
📅 Learn more at our next Public Info Meeting:
Sep 3, 7 PM – Tom Young Community Center
Over the next few weeks, we’re sharing quick facts about the proposed opt out for the Mount Vernon School District. Our goal is to give you clear, accurate information so those eligible to vote can make an informed decision on September 9.
**What is a school 'opt out'?**
When a school district cannot operate effectively with the revenue generated by the maximum allowed for the general fund or capital outlay funds under standard limitations, the district may choose to "opt out" of these limitations. This action requires formal approval through a resolution by the school board and, in this year’s case, a public vote since the resolution has been challenged through a petition process.
For taxpayers, an opt out means a higher property tax levy than would otherwise be assessed. For the school district, opt out funding provides crucial operational support that helps maintain appropriate class sizes, offer diverse programs, retain quality teachers, and provide necessary educational resources.
Opt outs represent a critical local control mechanism in South Dakota's school funding system, allowing communities to determine what level of investment they wish to make in their educational systems beyond the standard state-determined funding formulas.
📅 Learn more at our next Public Info Meeting:
Sep 3, 7 PM – Tom Young Community Center
Welcome Back to School! The elementary staff is fired up for a great year!
Congratulations to Bradley J. Scott on being the 2025 Heroes' Field inductee!
Welcome to our new staff at Mount Vernon School:
Mr. Kortemeyer - 6 & 7th Grade teacher
Mrs. Steinle - Pre-School teacher
Mrs. Schumacher - MS Reading/6th LA
Ms. Letcher - SPED Para
Mrs. Paulson - Band teacher
Ms. Holloway - Chorus teacher
Mrs. Albycheva - Head Cook
Mr. Kortemeyer - 6 & 7th Grade teacher
Mrs. Steinle - Pre-School teacher
Mrs. Schumacher - MS Reading/6th LA
Ms. Letcher - SPED Para
Mrs. Paulson - Band teacher
Ms. Holloway - Chorus teacher
Mrs. Albycheva - Head Cook
First day of school is tomorrow - August 19th! Bus routes will be running and times will be the same as last year.
Bus will be at the Mitchell Fair Grounds by 7:20 am and promptly leaving at 7:30 am. If your child is not there, you will need to give them a ride to the school. Please do not just leave your child unattended at the fair grounds.
Bus will be at the Mitchell Fair Grounds by 7:20 am and promptly leaving at 7:30 am. If your child is not there, you will need to give them a ride to the school. Please do not just leave your child unattended at the fair grounds.
Mr. Johnson has some new wall decor for his classroom this year. The "ACT Math Hall of Fame" recognizes students who have excelled in math and scored a 30 or higher on the math portion of the ACT. A big thank you to Amanda for putting this together!
HEROES' FIELD COMMITTEE IS STILL ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS! They are due by noon on August 16th. Please nominate someone you feel is worthy!
CRITERIA:
Must be a Mt. Vernon High School graduate or minimum 15 year member of community/area.
Life’s work demonstrated courage, service and self-sacrifice which brought honor to their family and community.
Excelled on the athletic field and was a positive role model in doing so, therefore impacting those who looked at them in admiration.
Made a positive impact in the lives of many through unselfish commitment to community service.
Impacted our nation, state, or community through public service
Excelled academically and/or achieved a high level of post-graduate success.
Made an impact on our community in a way that will have a positive impact on future generations.
Anyone can submit a nomination to the committee to be considered for enshrinement. In doing so, they must draft an essay explaining how that person meets the criteria listed above, and why they should be considered for enshrinement. If selected, they will also be responsible for providing a bio and photo to be used at the ceremony. Turn in nominations to Jason Helling at the Mount Vernon School or via email at jason.helling@k12.sd.us
CRITERIA:
Must be a Mt. Vernon High School graduate or minimum 15 year member of community/area.
Life’s work demonstrated courage, service and self-sacrifice which brought honor to their family and community.
Excelled on the athletic field and was a positive role model in doing so, therefore impacting those who looked at them in admiration.
Made a positive impact in the lives of many through unselfish commitment to community service.
Impacted our nation, state, or community through public service
Excelled academically and/or achieved a high level of post-graduate success.
Made an impact on our community in a way that will have a positive impact on future generations.
Anyone can submit a nomination to the committee to be considered for enshrinement. In doing so, they must draft an essay explaining how that person meets the criteria listed above, and why they should be considered for enshrinement. If selected, they will also be responsible for providing a bio and photo to be used at the ceremony. Turn in nominations to Jason Helling at the Mount Vernon School or via email at jason.helling@k12.sd.us
Back to School is fast approaching!
Remember to register for the new school year (everyone who is attending needs to do this!). The link can be found on our website.
Back to School night for PK-5 is tomorrow night 8/12/2025 6-7:30 pm.
9-12 students please stop in 8/13 or 8/14 to go over schedules.
Remember to register for the new school year (everyone who is attending needs to do this!). The link can be found on our website.
Back to School night for PK-5 is tomorrow night 8/12/2025 6-7:30 pm.
9-12 students please stop in 8/13 or 8/14 to go over schedules.
Reminder of the general fund opt-out publlc forum, followed by the monthly school board meeting starting at 6 pm on Monday, August 11th, in the TYCC.