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Final Superintendent’s Advisory Council of 2026-27 school year hosted at BOE

A group of children in purple shirts stand on steps holding signs in front of a modern building.
Final Superintendent’s Advisory Council of 2026-27 school year hosted at BOE

Students gathered at the Board of Education for an emotional final Superintendent’s Advisory Council meeting Wednesday afternoon, where they showed their appreciation toward Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland with hand-made cards filled with words of gratitude.

The session began with an ice breaker facilitated by Director of Physical Education and Health, Lisa Mayzun. Students were asked a series of “would you rather” questions including: 

Have a four day school week or have a longer summer break?    
No homework or no tests?
Free snacks all day or free school merch?
Sit anywhere in the classroom or pick your own teacher for a day?

Dr. Demario Strickland then went into detail about the importance of families exercising their fundamental right to vote, referencing the last session, where he discussed what the 2026-27 budget would entail. To read more about the last session, click here. Students also created posters to encourage community members to vote in the revised budget election on June 16. 

A young Black couple smiles at the camera in the foreground, with colorful children's artwork displayed on the wall behind them.
Two young girls are writing on purple cards at a table, with a name tag for "Kodi Brown" in the foreground and a sign for "Cadence Leotaud Pennington School" in the background.
Two young people wearing glasses are collaborating on a drawing at a table, with a blurred background of a room with windows and a sign.
A young girl in a white dress raises her hand in a classroom with other students and a bulletin board in the background.
A man in a suit and tie gestures with his hands in the foreground, while blurred figures and a large screen are visible in the background.

 

A colorful spinning wheel is projected onto a large screen in a room with tables and chairs in the foreground and people seated in the background.
Lottery for UPK-3 hosted at Board of Education

For the sixth year, the Mount Vernon City School District is offering prekindergarten for three-year-olds (UPK-3). A lottery was held on Thursday afternoon for the upcoming 2026-27 school year to occupy the 60 spots available.

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

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. 

A group of people stand on a stage holding certificates in front of a white screen, while an audience sits in a dark auditorium in the foreground.
PTA Council awards $1,000 Edith Kaplan Scholarships to 16 students

Sixteen students from the Class of 2026 were awarded with $1,000 Edith Kaplan Scholarships from the Mount Vernon PTA Council at the Board of Education meeting this Tuesday. The scholarships, raised through the Edith Kaplan Scholarship Dinner Dance, will help support the students' college goals, which were highlighted as they received the scholarships. 

A young boy and an adult man sit in the foreground with tables of snacks and people in colorful clothing in the background.
3rd annual Gentleman's Brunch hosted at Pennington School

Young Scholars in grades sixth through eighth, along with their fathers and fatherly figures, congregated in the auditorium at Pennington School for the third annual Gentlemen’s Brunch. Esteemed professionals from across the City of Mount Vernon visited to discuss what it means to be a leader and how to overcome hardships.