Mount Vernon City School District 2026-27 Budget: Letter from Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland

Dear Residents and Families of Mount Vernon,

It is my honor to present the proposed 2026 to 2027 budget for the Mount Vernon City School District. This budget totals $276,241,856, reflecting a 1.50 percent increase over the prior year budget of $272,206,615. The $276.2 million dollar budget reflects a 1.99% increase to the tax levy. It is a responsible and purposeful plan, shaped by the realities of a lean fund balance and guided by an unwavering commitment to our students, families, and community.

To understand this budget, it helps to understand our community. Across our 13 schools, 75 percent of our students are economically disadvantaged, 21 percent are students with disabilities, and 10 percent are English language learners. These are not just numbers; they reflect the very real and complex needs of the young people we serve every day. We are proud to report that all 13 of our schools hold the Local Support and Improvement designation, which isthe formal New York State classification previously known as Good Standing. That achievement speaks to the dedication of our students, staff, and families, and this budget is designed to build on that momentum by ensuring our most vulnerable learners have the resources, support, and opportunities they deserve.

Every dollar in this budget reflects a priority our community has identified. We are bolstering the special education continuum, revitalizing our Bilingual Education and World Languages Department with new dual-language programs, and reintroducing Gifted and Talented opportunities in response to community feedback. We are fully funding athletics and expanding access to clubs, after-school programs, and the arts, because we know that a well-rounded education extends far beyond the classroom.

We are also continuing the growth of Career and Technical Education pathways, ensuring that students are prepared for careers in high-demand fields. This budget funds a technology maintenance program so that every student has equitable access to the tools they need to learn. It sustains our comprehensive safety and security protocols, and it begins to address the over $400 million in top-priority facility repairs identified in our most recent building condition survey.

Our community should also be aware that this budget includes $17.5 million, approximately 6.3 percent of total expenses, that the district is required by state law to send to charter schools. What makes this particularly challenging is that charter school students are not counted in our  enrollment figures, which means they are not reflected in our per pupil allocation, yet the district remains legally obligated to provide related services and English as a New Language support to those students at our own expense. This creates a significant and ongoing funding inequity that we will continue to raise at the state level as we advocate for a more equitable distribution of education dollars.

Mount Vernon is a community of determination, pride, and possibility, and this budget reflects those values. We invite you to review this plan, attend our community meetings, and make your voice heard. With your support, we are confident that the best is yet to come.

With gratitude and optimism,

Dr. Demario A. Strickland
Proud Superintendent of Schools
Mount Vernon City School District