Building Reorganization Information

A survey was released from January 10 to 25, 2024, asking stakeholders “Do you think it would be beneficial for our pre-K through sixth grade students to attend elementary school in a separate building?” and “Do you think it would be beneficial for our seventh and eighth grade students to attend middle school in a separate building?” 73% (483 people) agreed that students in pre-k through sixth grade should be in a separate building, and 73% (481 people) agreed that seventh and eighth grade students should be in a separate building. 

A second survey was conducted shortly after from February 22 to March 14. Stakeholders were asked “Should the Mount Vernon City School District change its primary school building configuration?” 59% of respondents (150 people) were in favor of a change.

With two surveys showing that stakeholders believed a change was necessary, the District began exploring options for potential reorganizations. A new building configuration was proposed in a third survey, running from October 11 to 31. Stakeholders were asked “Would you support relocating grades seven and eight from K-8 schools to our three themed high schools to ensure continuity of academic instruction related to graduation and career pathways? This move would help us foster a stronger sense of school community building. We will have designated age-appropriate instructional areas exclusively for seventh and eighth grade students.” 1,089 people (60%) were in favor of this configuration.

On Thursday, November 7, a town hall was held and stakeholders asked questions and provided additional feedback about the proposed configuration. The District recognized a need to establish subcommittees consisting of parents, teachers and community members. Individuals were encouraged to sign up for consideration by emailing the Executive Assistant to the Superintendent. A decision has not been made on what configuration the District will transition to, and the input and participation of all stakeholders is an important factor in whatever choices are made.

Another town hall will be held in the future to allow for further community engagement as the District navigates this reorganization.

Click the image below to view the full presentation, "A Path to Sustainability and Growth," from the town hall meeting.

1. What are the reasons that the Mount Vernon City School District is enacting a school reorganization?

• The current and projected declining enrollment.
• Staffing issues and inefficiencies 
• Underutilized Buildings 
• Capital improvements cited on the Building Condition Survey 
• Contracts that need to be settled: MVFT (Expired 6/30/2022), MVAG (Expired 6/30/2024), CSEA (Expires 6/30/2025) 
• Significant Fiscal Distress

2. What other measures is the District taking to address fiscal distress?
   
   The District is receiving payments for uncollected taxes from the City of Mount Vernon in order to recover from years of missing tax-funding since 2019. Grant funding is also being utilized to ensure students have high-quality programs throughout the District. Spending is being closely monitored by the Business Office through strict purschasing, payroll and auditing procedures.
    
3. How do I know what school my child will go to when the reorganization is implemented?
   
   The District will maintain open communication with families about the reasons for rezoning, the process of rezoning, and any anticipated changes in school offerings or programs. There are many factors that will contribute to how the District will be rezoned to accommodate a reorganization:

• Transportation and safety
• Demographic trends
• Capacity and utilization of school facilities
• Educational equity and access
• Transportation and safety
• Long-term flexibility 
• Legal and policy compliance

4. What are the benefits of the 7-12 model? 

• Continuity of Education: Combining middle and high school can provide a more seamless educational experience, promoting continuity in curriculum and teaching. Research indicates that students benefit from consistent teaching styles and educational philosophies across grades.​
• Social and Emotional Support: Integrated school models can create a supportive environment where older students serve as mentors for younger ones. Studies show that peer mentoring can enhance social skills and help younger students adjust better to the challenges of adolescence.​
• Increased Resource Utilization: Combining schools can maximize resource usage, including faculty expertise, facilities, and extracurricular programs. This consolidation can lead to enriched educational experiences, such as a broader range of Advanced Placement (AP) courses or extracurricular activities, as noted in reports from educational organizations.
• Fostering Community: A 7-12 model can build a stronger sense of community within the school, as students remain in the same institution for a longer duration. Research suggests that a cohesive school community can lead to increased student engagement and a lower dropout rate, supported by findings from studies on school climate and student connectedness.​
• Curriculum and Instructional Alignment: With a dedicated middle-high school format, teachers can align curricular objectives more effectively across grades. Research by the National Middle School Association suggests that this alignment can enhance student preparedness for high school expectations.​
• Data on Academic Performance: Some studies indicate that students in middle-high school models demonstrate improved academic performance and higher graduation rates compared to those in traditional middle and high school setups. 

5. Will any schools be closed? If so, how many?
   
   A decision has not been made on if schools will be closed. If the current plan moves forward, schools will be closed.
    
6. When will school closings be announced?
   The District will submit an application for rezoning to the Board of Cooperative Educations Services (BOCES) by February 2025. The schools will be scheduled for closing at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, should all benchmarks be met.
    
7. What is the timeline of the reorganization?
   View the timeline at the bottom of this page. 
    
8. Where can I find more information about the reorganization?
   You can find all information about building reorganization here at www.mtvernoncsd.org/our-district/building-reorganization-info. Information will be updated as the process continues. Click here to view the presentation from the town hall on November 7. 
   
   Click here to view the video of the first town hall.
    
9. How do I join a committee to provide input on the reorganization?
   Applications to sign up for reorganization subcommittees closed on Friday, November 15, 2024.