An end of the year message from Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland

To the Mount Vernon City School District Community! 

My first year as superintendent of the Mount Vernon City School District has been unforgettable, thanks to the support and dedication of our families, students, faculty, and staff. It has been my honor to serve this community and work toward building a brighter future for all of us. This was a successful year, and I want you to know that every bit of it was felt and heard. We faced real challenges and grew stronger because of them, and the progress we made together touched me deeply. It belonged to every family, student, teacher, and staff member who showed up and gave this district their best. 

From the day I stepped into this role, I made it a priority to be present in our buildings, visiting every one of our schools several times throughout the year to see firsthand the work happening in our classrooms and hallways. I want to thank every one of our staff and teachers for their enthusiasm and cooperation in bringing my vision for this district to life. It is a new, brighter day for Mount Vernon, and I see our successes every day. Thank you! 

This year also asked us to say goodbye to some familiar and beloved faces. To our retirees, some of whom gave this district decades of their lives, thank you. You taught our children how to believe in themselves, kept our buildings running, and kept our students safe. The mark you’ve left on Mount Vernon will be felt for generations. Congratulations on a well-earned next chapter. 

This week, I had the honor of watching Mount Vernon’s brightest jewels walk across the stage and receive their diplomas, an achievement they should be immensely proud of. Across our District, our students and staff have given us countless reasons to be proud this year, with many faculty, staff, and Board of Education trustees earning recognition for their dedication. From kindergarten to high school, I have watched our students overcome obstacles and achieve tremendous triumphs. 

We remained committed to putting students at the forefront of every decision, especially budgeting for the upcoming school year, and I am grateful to everyone who supported that effort. The District has also taken meaningful steps toward transparency and accountability, and we will continue building on that trust. After months of negotiation, the Mount Vernon Federation of Teachers ratified a new contract for teachers, teaching assistants, and security monitors, and we also reached a successful settlement with our Lunch Monitors Bargaining Unit, recognizing the dedicated staff who care for our students every day. 

So as I close out this first year, I want to say from the heart: this was a successful year, and it was ours. Thank you for your trust, your patience, and your partnership. I look forward to collaborating with this entire community for a school district that works for everyone, with students at the forefront. I will see everyone back in the fall for another rigorous school year! Happy summer! 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Demario A. Strickland 

Superintendent of Schools