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Mount Vernon City School District 2026-27 Budget: Tax Levy Comparisons in Westchester

Graphic for school board election on May 19.
Mount Vernon City School District 2026-27 Budget: Tax Levy Comparisons in Westchester

Community members will vote on a $276.2 million budget, which includes a 1.48% increase in spending and a 1.99% increase to the tax levy, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. The increase in the tax levy is well below the 2.6% tax cap set by the state, and it is lower than many districts across the area who are also navigating the rising costs of education.  

Since the 2016-17 school year, the district has increased the levy by only 4.69%. The proposed tax increase would bring that to 6.68%. For comparison, the White Plains City School District has increased by 16.84%, the City School District of New Rochelle has risen 20.57%, and the Pelham Union Free Central School District has raised the levy by 24.64% during the same time period. These districts are also requesting tax increases this year to balance their budgets, with White Plains proposing 1.60%, New Rochelle 1.85% and Pelham 3.72%.

Here’s how the Mount Vernon City School District’s 1.99% tax levy increase compares to other school districts around the area: 

  • Eastchester UFSD: 6.31% 

  • Bronxville UFSD: 4.80%  

  • Poughkeepsie CSD: 4.21% 

  • Pelham UFSD: 3.72% 

  • Greenburgh CSD: 3.03%  

  • Edgemont UFSD: 3.50%  

  • Ardsley UFSD: 3.40% 

  • Scarsdale Public Schools: 3.37% 

  • Mamaroneck UFSD: 3.07% 

  • Chappaqua CSD: 2.99% 

  • Pleasantville UFSD: 2.96% 

  • Rye CSD: 2.96% 

  • Tuckahoe UFSD: 2.68% 

  • Bedford CSD: 2.62% 

  • Brewster CSD: 2.60% 

  • Ossining UFSD: 2.43% 

  • Yorktown CSD: 2.38% 

  • Rye Neck UFSD: 2.38%  

  • Somers CSD: 2.31% 

  • Croton-Harmon UFSD: 2.19% 

  • New Rochelle: 1.85% 

A lack of tax increases has caused fiscal strain, resulting in the State Comptroller’s Office to designate the district as being in significant fiscal stress for the past six years. The district has also had an operating deficit in six of the last seven years, and since 2019, the district utilized its fund balance to balance the budget.

Dr. Strickland outlines 'Excellence by Design' priorities for the new school year
Dr. Strickland outlines 'Excellence by Design' priorities for the new school year

Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland is putting literacy, attendance and student voice among the district’s top priorities for the new school year, while rolling out new technology, expanding access for families and pledging continued transparency about district finances. Dr. Strickland laid out those priorities in his Aug. 25 Superintendent’s Report, describing a districtwide effort to strengthen instruction and the systems that support students. The work is being framed by a new theme, “Excellence by Design,” which he said reflects a deliberate approach to improvement.

Three women stand behind a table with baby manikins in the foreground, while a colorful bulletin board is visible in the background.
Mount Vernon City School District lunch monitors trained in CPR, first aid and AED response

Thirty-eight Mount Vernon City School District lunch monitors returned to school this week with an important new set of skills: the ability to respond when a child or adult faces a potentially life-threatening emergency. The monitors, along with two Central Office staff members, were trained Wednesday in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid and the use of an automated external defibrillator during the District’s first Superintendent’s Conference Day of the 2026-27 school year.

 

A server in an apron offers a sample of food to a woman wearing a lei, while a cafeteria setting with other people is visible in the background.
MVCSD food service staff get a taste of year ahead during professional development retreat

Mount Vernon City School District lunch monitors, head chefs, managers and other food service workers kicked off the new school year with their annual professional development retreat, which served up valuable training, teamwork and a taste of what’s ahead for 2026-27. Staff members from Sodexo – the District’s K-12 food services provide -- gathered at Mount Vernon High School for the various activities, including food tasting, as they prepared to welcome students back from summer vacation. The annual professional development sessions help employees review procedures and regulations while strengthening the teamwork necessary to provide exceptional service to students.

Mount Vernon's Jewel Box
Mount Vernon's Jewel Box - Welcome Back to School!

Welcome back to school! This week, The Mount Vernon City School District greeted students and staff with warm smiles for another exciting school year. Teachers quickly began diving into curriculum, starting off the academic year strong. You can also view Mount Vernon’s Jewel Box on our Facebook, Instagram or YouTube! #ExcellencebyDesign