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Lauren McKoy joins MVCSD to help expand opportunities for scholars and staff

A smiling woman with dark wavy hair is in the foreground against a yellow background, with a school district logo in the upper right corner and her name and title at the bottom.
Lauren McKoy joins MVCSD to help expand opportunities for scholars and staff

Lauren McKoy recently joined the Mount Vernon City School District as the Executive Director of Strategic Development, bringing nearly 20 years of educational experience and a collaborative vision for strengthening partnerships, expanding opportunities and supporting student success.

Ms. McKoy was hired in January 2026 after holding a wide variety of instructional and leadership positions in the Rochester City School District, where she began as an English Language Arts teacher in 2006, building a strong foundation in classroom instruction. She later moved into roles that focused on instructional leadership, educator support and organizational growth.

Over the years, Ms. McKoy has served as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal and Director of Grants.

Those experiences have given her expertise in strategic planning, grant development, school leadership and fostering partnerships that create new opportunities for students, educators and the broader community. She believes successful leadership is rooted in collaboration, trust and shared responsibility, with an emphasis on listening, learning and working alongside others to achieve meaningful results.

Today, as Executive Director of Strategic Development, Ms. McKoy oversees the District’s strategic planning, innovation initiatives, grant development and community partnerships. She works closely with District leaders, educators, families and community organizations to align resources, strengthen teaching and learning, and advance initiatives that benefit students throughout the District.

Ms. McKoy earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Administration and K-12 School Leadership from the University of Rochester, where she also received New York State certifications as both a School Building Leader and School District Leader. She holds a Master of Science in Education from the State University of New York at Geneseo and a Bachelor of Science degree from St. John Fisher University.

Originally from New York’s Hudson Valley, Ms. McKoy said she is excited to serve in a region she knows well. She looks forward to building lasting relationships throughout the District while helping advance a shared vision of excellence, opportunity and achievement for every student.

 

Derrick Dunlap's headshot.
MVCSD welcomes Derrick Dunlap to the District as Traphagen's newest principal

Derrick Dunlap, a veteran educator with two decades of experience leading schools, improving student achievement and building strong school communities has been appointed principal of Traphagen Elementary School. Mr. Dunlap brings a diverse background in elementary and secondary education to the Mount Vernon City School District, having served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in Washington, D.C., Maryland and New York. 

Headshot of Donald Peters.
Graham School welcomes a new principal with over 20 years of experience in education

Donald D. Peters is an accomplished educational leader with more than 20 years of experience in public education, specializing in instructional leadership, school improvement, special education, and student success. He currently serves as the Principal of Graham School, bringing a proven record of strengthening school communities, improving student outcomes, and cultivating a culture of high expectations and collaboration.

Principal Anjannette Brown Headshot
Longtime MVCSD educator Anjanette Brown appointed as principal of Denzel Washington School of the Arts

Denzel Washington School of the Arts’ new principal, Anjanette Brown, is a dedicated educational leader with 20 years of service in the Mount Vernon City School District, committed to creating schools where students are empowered, supported, and prepared to achieve their highest potential. Throughout her career, she has remained steadfast in her belief that education must nurture the whole child.

MV PTA members outside a building for their conference
Mount Vernon PTA Leaders and Parent Liaisons attend the NYS PTA Summer Leadership Conference

Leaders from the Mount Vernon Parent Teacher Association (PTA), parent liaisons, and school board trustees participated in the New York State PTA Summer Leadership Conference held on July 18-19 in Albany, NY. This annual event provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to engage in workshops designed to enhance their skills and collaboration efforts to better support students and families in the Mount Vernon City School District.