A Message from the Superintendent – Thank You for Participating in the Budget Vote

Dear Mount Vernon City School District Community,

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who came out to vote in our recent school budget election. Your participation is vital to the future of our schools and demonstrates a deep commitment to the success of our students and our community.

The results of this vote reflect a community that remains divided on certain issues. I want you to know that these results will not be taken lightly. Now, more than ever, is a time for Mount Vernon to heal and come together as one. At the end of the day, we all share the same hopes for a stronger community, better schools, and, most importantly, students who are successful in our classrooms and beyond.

As we move forward, I want to assure you that we will continue to work hard to earn your trust. We are committed to being responsible stewards of your tax dollars. In the year ahead, we will strive to bring even more transparency to school district operations so that you can see firsthand the work being done to build a better Mount Vernon City School District.

My priority, now and always, will be our students. School districts require adequate funding to operate. And, we must ask our community for tax levy increases simply to maintain our programs and services. Like every family, we face rising costs due to inflation. Prices go up, and we must make strategic decisions with our limited resources. We are committed to saving money where possible so that we can continue to put our students’ needs at the forefront of every annual budget. I'd also ask everyone to keep in mind that holding the tax levy flat typically means the district has less room to add new opportunities and programs for students each year.

I am eager to get out into the community and hear your thoughts on how we can work together to make meaningful improvements. Additionally, I want to emphasize my commitment to transparency, which includes providing treasurer reports during board meetings, a level of openness that our district has not consistently provided in the past. I believe that clear and timely financial reporting is essential for building trust and ensuring accountability within our district.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information about the budget, I encourage you to visit our budget page here, or email District Clerk Rita James at RJames@mtvernoncsd.org. I welcome your questions and am always available to provide the information you need.

Together, we can build a school district that we can all be proud of. Thank you for your continued support and for believing in the future of Mount Vernon.

Sincerely,

Dr. Demario Strickland

Superintendent, Mount Vernon City School District