Nearly one year to the day has passed since Ohio Conference leaders learned of the dire financial situation facing our beloved Mount Vernon Academy.  Today, August 23, 2015, Ohio constituents voted at a special constituency meeting to ratify the recommendations put forth by both Mount Vernon Academy Board of Trustees (MVA BOT) and Ohio Conference Executive Committee (EXCOM) to authorize the sale of assets of the Mount Vernon Academy Corporation.  Though emotionally difficult, constituents understood the severity of the financial situation, with 293 voting in favor of the motion and 17 opposed.

Ohio Constituents Voting Today

The Motion

To permit the "sale of all assets (real and personal properties) of the Mount Vernon Academy Corporation (MVAC), as well as consideration of disposition of conference lands and properties adjacent to and around MVAC properties, should such inclusion enhance desirability of said sale to prospective buyer(s)."

The Worthington church was filled with 311 delegates from across the conference, all interested in hearing discussions about what the next step in this journey might involve.  President Ron Halvorsen Jr recapped the series of events leading to this point (visit http://www.ohioadventist.org/article/3/updates to review).  He also apprised attendees of the final $1.474 million total debt owed to the conference by MVA, and reminded all that this figure would only continue to climb. 

The Concerns

After hearing reports and clarifications pertaining to the motion, multiple delegates expressed concerns over where and how the monies from the sale of academy properties would be used.  Halvorsen repeatedly assured constituents that the money would go into Secondary Adventist Education in Ohio once the debt had been reduced.  "Every bit of monies that defrays debt will ultimately mean more dollars for our young people," said Halvorsen.  Questions were also asked about the future of MVA endowments, which Planned Giving director Harry Straub explained: "MVA endowments have contingencies when the academy closes, they go into Christian Education in the state of Ohio; they will go through boards to fine-tune what will be done with them."

Speaking in favor of the motion, Brian Christenson of the Kettering church commented, "This (sale) isn't just saving the conference money, it's saving all our money.  This is our money and these are our offerings."

The Vision

Halvorsen commended constituents who have helped support MVA in the past with a $407,000 annual subsidy, which went to help only 38 Ohio Conference students last school year.  "Do you realize what $407,000 could do for Adventist Education in this state?"  He then went on to expound upon the vision he has for Ohio in the coming years, including:

• Helping Adventist Education become more affordable for families, and allowing more students access;
• Strategic day schools in population centers;
• Scholarships for students to receive Adventist Education;
• Using technology to aid all our schools, including elementary schools;
• Network our schools via technology, boosting smaller schools.

Earlier this year, an eleven-member Secondary Education Visioning Committee was appointed and met to help determine the future of education in Ohio.  Now that a permanent superintendent of education, youth director, and conference treasurer are in place, "this committee can now begin its work in earnest," said Halvorsen, who intends to remain part of this committee. 

The Property

"We are trying to get three bids by (realtor) companies large enough to have a reach around not only Knox County but Ohio, but possibly even further," shared Halvorsen.  "I've been told such a unique type of place will take a unique buyer."  All three bids are expected to be in place within two weeks, allowing the MVA Property Oversight Committee to sort through particulars before making a recommendation to EXCOM.  "This is a process, it will not happen overnight. We will not move forward until all three bids are in place," said Halvorsen.

During their last school year, staff at MVA kept track of requests to purchase items belonging to the academy (such as bells, busses, cafeteria equipment, etc.); those were transferred to Treasurer Karen Senecal.  Any further purchase requests may be directed directly to Senecal either in writing to the conference or via email to treasurer@ohioadventist.org. 

The Next Step

Halvorsen assured constituents he would continue to update them as decisions were reached, allowing them to remain part of this journey.  "I'm really proud of our church family here in Ohio - we've been through some hard times, but we're going through them together."