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

The Mount Vernon Board of Education unanimously selected Dr. Demario A. Strickland as Mount Vernon City School District’s new Superintendent of Schools. The appointment, effective July 1, was made during the Board’s special meeting on Wednesday. 

Dr. Strickland is currently serving as the interim superintendent for the Rochester City School District (RCSD). Previously, he had served in the capacities of Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning and Chief of Schools (Innovation and School Reform) for the Rochester school district.

He holds a Doctor of Educational Leadership from D’Youville University, two master’s degrees from Fordham University in Administration & Supervision as well as Curriculum & Teaching, and brings almost 20 years of education experience as both an administrator and teacher. Additionally, he holds a master’s degree in School District Leadership from Canisius University and a certificate in School Business and Human Resource Management from the University at Buffalo.

Dr. Strickland began his career teaching in New York City and considers himself “the teaching and learning superintendent.” He entered the education field primarily to be a teacher, not thinking of administration, but after five years his role as an administrator began when he earned the position of dean of students.

“Teaching and learning is at the forefront of who I am,” said Dr. Strickland. “I’m very much about student outcomes. Are students safe? Are they feeling seen, affirmed and valued when they come into our schools? Are teachers equipped with a guaranteed and viable curriculum that will help them be able to plan and educate our students to the greatest ability they can? I want to make sure that zip code doesn't define what our students are capable of.”

His philosophy is that students need to be actively engaged in the classroom to achieve the best outcomes. Active engagement leads to strong relationships, which lead to improved student success. 

“Every child has potential. Our students are precious,” said Dr. Strickland. “The quality of the teaching will improve the quality of the learning, and we will support our teachers as they raise the expectations of students in the classroom.”

Dr. Strickland believes in lifting student voices by interacting and connecting with them regularly on school visits. In Rochester, he listened to students and used their input to help in his decision-making process. He plans to structure his schedule similarly, recognizing the importance of the superintendent regularly spending time in schools to understand what is happening at the ground level and ensure schools have what they need to be successful.

Dr. Strickland said he will also engage with families and teachers in the District to help guide his administration in meeting the needs of students. Throughout the school year, he will work with families as the primary support of the child, engaging them in understanding and learning the practices that are happening in the school buildings so that they are equipped to help their children.

He said transparency has guided his administrative experience. If there is important information that affects the community, he will ensure that it is shared openly – whether it is important initiatives, data, incidents in the District, or other communications.

“Being transparent about what we are going through is going to be of optimal importance to build trusting relationships,” said Dr. Strickland. “I want families and community members to be an important part of the process of education, and that means keeping them up to date with what is happening in the District.” 

“Dr. Strickland’s experience in an urban setting; his emphasis on teaching and learning and connecting with students, staff and the community; and his ability to create positive outcomes for students makes him uniquely qualified for the Mount Vernon City School District,” said Board of Education President Adriane Saunders. “Through the search process we learned how much Dr. Strickland will be missed in Rochester and the Board of Education is excited to welcome him as our new Superintendent of Schools.”
 
At RCSD, Dr. Strickland successfully stabilized the district after an abrupt departure of the previous superintendent. He has handled similar financial and oversight challenges as what the MVCSD currently faces. He has managed a school reconfiguration, where 11 schools were closed and he oversaw the transfers of more than 11,000 students to new schools in Rochester. These changes required constant family and community engagement, leading to a successful reconfiguration.

Dr. Strickland has an extensive background in school district finance. At RCSD this year, he balanced a $1.1 billion with zero use of the fund balance. He is leaving RCSD with a $285 million fund balance, setting them up with a healthy reserve for emergencies and potential changes in the federal funding landscape. He believes in starting the work on the next budget as soon as the upcoming budget passes and has a firm commitment to frugality. Through preparation and strategic planning, he aims to develop spending plans that provide students with a large number of opportunities and programs while limiting expenses. 

He has worked with a state monitor for the past three years at the RCSD, reducing the district’s number of recommendations to the state from more than 140 to less than 100. He has led three schools out of NYSED school receivership and into good standing or Local School Improvement status, improving the academic quality at each school.

He has built strong relationships with the State Education Department through this work, including his relationships with New York State Educational Department Commissioner Betty Rosa and New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Lester Young. He is also well-networked with superintendents across the state and other large school districts, including Yonkers.

“As the end of the school year approaches, I will be doing everything I can to ensure that there is a smooth transition in leadership for Dr. Strickland,” said Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith. “He has the experience and accomplishments to continue doing great work in Mount Vernon, and I am looking forward to collaborating with him to ensure that the District and community are in good hands.” 

His first step in the Mount Vernon City School District will be preparing all schools and students, including those changing schools and entering a new environment, to be ready for the 2025-2026 school year on September 3. 

He also intends to meet with and listen to all stakeholders in the District; analyze student data to inform decision-making; identify priorities, areas for growth that align with District goals; and begin implementing strategies that lead to measurable, sustainable improvements in student achievement and the overall success of the District. His plan serves to meet his three goals of building trusting relationships with stakeholders, conducting a comprehensive assessment of District operations, and establishing clear communication systems.

He plans to build connections within the community for the betterment of students. He will connect with faith-based organizations, neighborhood associations, higher education institutions, local government, and organizations to ensure that students have a wide variety of opportunities available to them. 

Dr. Strickland also believes that people should be able to laugh at work and strives for a welcoming work environment. He knows he is in Jets and Giants territory but he is an avid Buffalo Bills fan, and visitors to his office will be greeted by a Bills logo as soon as they enter. He also loves travel, bowling, and karaoke in his free time.

He is looking forward to starting in the Mount Vernon City School District and working to shape the District into one where students are prioritized and all stakeholders feel valued. 

“I know the District has a necessary 3.3% increase in the tax levy to maintain our programs for students and a $272.2 million budget on the ballot May 20,” said Dr. Strickland. “As the new superintendent, I would like to encourage everyone to come out to vote.”

Dr. Strickland thanked the Board of Education and addressed the community following the appointment:

"Thank you for welcoming me into this community. It is a humbling honor to be appointed Superintendent of the Mount Vernon City School District. I want to thank Acting Superintendent Dr. K. Veronica Smith for her leadership, her grace, and unwavering commitment to this community. Dr. Smith, like I, stepped into this role with strength and a vision during a pivotal time. Thanks to her able stewardship, this District is in a better place. Mount Vernon deserves the best; its students, its educators, its families and the entire community deserves the very best. 

"Your brilliance, your talent, your culture and your commitment to progress are real. This District has everything it needs to succeed. What we need now is unity, clarity and boldness with purpose. Together, we will prioritize student achievement, school safety and staff wellbeing. Together, with our Board, City Council and state legislators, we will advocate for excellence for every student and the spirit of collaboration between our teachers, students and families. I am here to work hand in hand with you, together pushing toward a collective, bold ambition. 

"We will both honor what is working and confront what is not to ensure that every student knows they matter and every student has the opportunity to do their very best. We will strengthen academic pathways, uplift our arts and athletics, and ensure that mental health and student voice are always centered. We will make sure that student advisory councils are engaged and heard, and I promise that I will approach my role by listening first, always learning and growing alongside our students. 

"Over the next 90 days, we will engage in real dialog about what matters most to this incredible community. My entry plan focuses on four key pillars: relationships, trust, alignment and results. I will visit every school and work with staff to identify barriers and build solutions that reflect your voice and our shared vision. We will celebrate what is already great, and we will courageously face what must change. I make my commitment to you that our work together will always be centered on students, empowering our staff and responsive to our community. Together, with honor, with courage, and with unwavering belief in each other, we will do remarkable things. Thank you."