FORTVILLE — The Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation Board recently decided to move forward with a $10 million renovation of Mt. Vernon Middle School.
In recent years, the district has experienced increased student enrollment. With the construction of elementary schools and renovation of Mt. Vernon High School, the middle school was next on the district’s list for improvements. The middle school, which currently houses sixth and seventh grades, was originally designed to hold three grade levels, according to a press release. However, with increasing enrollment, the district moved the composition to two grade levels.
The district organized a feasibility study task force, which looked at three possible options: no change, at no cost; renovation of the middle school, at a cost of $10 million; or returning to the district’s previous configuration of kindergarten through fourth grade, fifth and sixth grade, seventh and eighth grade and ninth through 12th grade, which would require the renovation of Fortville Elementary School and eliminate the district’s preschool program at a cost of $11.2 million.
The cost of the $10 million renovation will be offset by a refinancing of bond debt that saves the district $8 million, according to a press release. District officials do not expect the debt service tax rate to increase, the press release states.
