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Community Message - June 3, 2025

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Community Message - June 3, 2025

Royce Russell, In-House Counsel:

The Mount Vernon City School District informs the stakeholders of the City of Mount Vernon that the Arbitrator has issued a decision in the matter of Mt. Vernon City School District v. Dr. Waveline Bennett-Conroy, that was the subject of a public court filing and what was reported in the Journal News. We commend the Board of Trustees for their principled and courageous action. While it would have been easier to avoid controversy, the Trustees upheld their fiduciary duty and remained faithful to their oath to serve the District and its community with integrity.

The case involved serious allegations, including misrepresentations made to both the Board and the public, as well as the engagement of a vendor for whom the District was unable to substantiate had provided all the required services it had been retained to fulfill. Notwithstanding the above, Dr. Bennett-Conroy continued to advocate for the relationship. The vendor received millions of dollars from the District.

Several Trustees, recognizing the need for accountability, initiated an independent audit which led to an Arbitration. These concerns raised by the Board and the community underscores the importance of vigilance, and transparency.

The District remains committed to restoring trust, ensuring sound governance, and putting the needs of our students and community first.
 

Aidan and Isaac
Meet the Class of 2025 Mount Vernon STEAM Academy Valedictorian and Salutatorian

In just two weeks, seniors of the Mount Vernon City School District will be celebrating their final days as high school students and walking across the graduation stage and into the real world. At Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, two students who have molded themselves into well-rounded scholars will lead their class. STEAM has chosen Isaac Alvarado Calderon and Aidan Forman as its Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian. 

Slide with information of orientation members
NYS Department of Labor Rapid Response team holds orientation for MVCSD Employees

Representatives from the New York State Department of Labor’s (NYS DOL) Rapid Response team held an orientation for employees affected by layoffs last Thursday, providing them with information about personalized job placement services that are available at zero cost. They will also hold a meeting from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11, in the boardroom of the Mount Vernon Board of Education to address questions by Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) staff affected by layoffs. Click to view the full presentation.

Pre-K Social Workers
UPK social workers chosen to present at conference for their success in building early childhood mental health program

Social workers in the Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Department were chosen to present at the Division for Early Childhood’s International Conference for Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families this October. Social workers Andrea Marano and Elena Lupo will discuss pre-K mental health initiatives in the Mount Vernon City School District with a presentation titled “Creating a Comprehensive Early Childhood Mental Health Program.”

(Reminder: Pre-K lottery registration closes on June 27, visit https://www.mtvernoncsd.org/family-community/registration/online-registration to learn more)