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Community Message - April 30, 2025

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Community Message - April 30, 2025

Dr. K. Veronica Smith, Acting Superintendent of Schools:

It is with great sorrow that I share that the Mount Vernon City School District will be laying off 84 certified staff members – including teachers, teaching assistants and administrators – and 40 civil service employees at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. I want to thank every one of them for the great work they have done for the District, and I am saddened that our financial situation required a reduction of workforce. Certified staff members were notified of layoffs by the end of March, and civil service employees were notified by April 22.

When the District made the decision to close three schools, it was out of necessity. To retain our student programs, we needed to develop a plan where we could staff the District in accordance with our declining enrollment. Expensive building repairs and a designation of significant fiscal stress from the New York State Comptroller also contributed to the decision. As a result, the District reduced its expected expenses for the upcoming school year by $16.9 million.

Our employees are much more than numbers and figures, but this decision was essential for the long-term financial health of the District. We employ wonderful people who care so much about the children. I am sure administrators throughout the District will be very supportive of our laid off staff members. I wish them all the best in their new positions.

The Human Resources Department has been in communication with the Department of Labor to provide support to laid off employees with their employment counselors and job search services

MVCSD Code of Conduct Committee - Signup by February 13
MVCSD Code of Conduct Committee - Signup by February 13

The Mount Vernon City School District is establishing a Code of Conduct Committee to review, update, and strengthen the District’s Code of Conduct to ensure it is legally compliant, equitable, and supportive of a safe and positive learning environment for all students.

Interested individuals should complete the Volunteer Interest Form: Code of Conduct Committee Volunteer Interest Form – Fill out form by February 13.

Click here to view the full Code of Conduct Committee letter.

Presentation on District mission, vision and core values given at Board meeting
Presentation on District mission, vision and core values given at Board meeting

At the Mount Vernon City School District’s Board of Education meeting this Tuesday, Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland delivered a presentation discussing the District’s mission, vision, and core values, the process for updating them, and the importance of these guiding principles to the strategic planning process. Click here to view the full presentation or watch the livestream here. 

Second community forum held to discuss budget priorities for 2026-27 school year
Second community forum held to discuss budget priorities for 2026-27 school year

Dr. Demario Strickland, Superintendent of the Mount Vernon City School District held his second community forum on Monday, February 9 at Mount Vernon High School to connect with the community and discuss budget priorities for the upcoming school year. He answered questions and concerns about the topic while reviewing results from the budget survey distributed in December. 

To read about the presentation, click here. 

To read about feedback from the budget priority survey, click here.

Mount Vernon Knights Wrestling competes in Section 1 Championships
Mount Vernon Knights Wrestling competes in Section 1 Championships

The Mount Vernon Knights Varsity Wrestling Team went to the Section 1 Championships over the weekend, with 10 student-athletes competing. This is the first year the Mount Vernon City School District had a girls wrestling team, and three girls competed in the tournament. Two received All-Section honors – Heyli Marte and Avea Miller. For the boys team, Caiden Hylton earned fourth place in the competitive 215-lb weight class and received All-Section honors. 

Happy National School Counseling Week!
Happy National School Counseling Week!

Happy National School Counseling Week! Thank you to the amazing counselors in the Mount Vernon City School District who do so much to support our students and amplify their success.