Superintendent of Schools for the Mount Vernon City School District officially sworn in with three new board members
![Superintendent at BOE meeting]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1751486165/mtvernoncsdorg/bntusplukbjnz3ncmwoh/BOEmeeting-3.jpg","width":2200}])
Superintendent of Schools for the Mount Vernon City School District officially sworn in with three new board members
At the most recent Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night, Dr. Demario A. Strickland was officially sworn in as Superintendent of Schools for the Mount Vernon City School District. Three new board trustees joined the Board of Education as well as a new student trustee.
Sakai Brown, Erica Peterson and Randolf Scott will serve on the Board for three years, with their terms ending on June 30, 2028. The student trustee’s term will conclude at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
“First and foremost, I just want to thank this board and the community stakeholders for your extremely warm welcome. I'm excited to begin my tenure into the district,” said Dr. Strickland. “I want to thank all of those individuals that have come out to our “Let's Talk" sessions, they have been well attended.” The last session will be held at Denzel Washington School of the Arts on July 12.
During his remarks, Dr. Strickland discussed the incredible amount of responses from the climate surveys, with over 1,400 responses. He also discussed how he would like to come to each meeting with a visual presentation to highlight all the wonderful things happening within the District.
Dr. Strickland, three new board members and student ambassador Leonard Oduro were sworn into the cabinet for the 2025 - 2026 school year.
Each official stood before the audience, raised their right hand to take their oath of office, and were sworn in by District Clerk Rita James. They vowed to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of New York, as they faithfully discharge their duties to the best of their abilities.
Additionally, Dr. Donna Marable was voted as Board President and Warren Mitchell was sworn in as Vice President. The two brought loved ones and educators who have impacted their lives to the stage to rejoice in the monumental moment.
![Dr. Demario Strickland]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1751562975/mtvernoncsdorg/hggisf4sw8umvyly7sct/DrStricklandPhotos-191.jpg","width":2200}])
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Demario Strickland was named June 26 as the inaugural recipient of Canisius University Alumni Association’s Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes accomplishments of alumni 40 years and younger.
![MVCSD Summer Reading 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1749841817/mtvernoncsdorg/c7wprucc7xnzb41sje0z/MVCSDSummerReading2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1749841817/mtvernoncsdorg/c7wprucc7xnzb41sje0z/MVCSDSummerReading2025.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1749841817/mtvernoncsdorg/c7wprucc7xnzb41sje0z/MVCSDSummerReading2025.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1749841817/mtvernoncsdorg/c7wprucc7xnzb41sje0z/MVCSDSummerReading2025.png","width":940}])
At the most recent Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night, Dr. Demario A. Strickland was officially sworn in as Superintendent of Schools for the Mount Vernon City School District. Three new board trustees joined the Board of Education as well as a new student trustee.
![Dr.DemarioStricklandSuperintendent]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1747263649/mtvernoncsdorg/o3thkoqmmjekhfvrndqe/DrDemarioStricklandSuperintendent.jpg","width":2200}])
Greetings Mount Vernon,
Thank you for entrusting your children’s education to me as Superintendent of Schools for the Mount Vernon City School District. Over the past few weeks, I have spent time getting to know the community of Mount Vernon, and I am impressed with the pride that fills the city. I am looking forward to making sure that residents are filled with that same pride for the schools that their children attend. I am excited to step in and get right to the important work of improving our District and achieving our shared vision of success.
![Inductees during hall of fame ceremony.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1751145178/mtvernoncsdorg/kzezouz1dlx8z0i0oedj/WallofFame-4.jpg","width":2200}])
The Mount Vernon City School District inducted former State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thomspon, Congressman George Latimer and the late Elise Finch-Henriques into the Mount Vernon High School Hall of Fame Saturday morning. Families, loved ones, administrators, educators, colleagues and community members gathered at Mount Vernon High School to celebrate this prestigious induction.
![One Mount Vernon Thumbnail]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1715964023/mtvernoncsdorg/i9ubu0f5iwmdwvjg9xk7/OneMountVernonThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1715964023/mtvernoncsdorg/i9ubu0f5iwmdwvjg9xk7/OneMountVernonThumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1715964023/mtvernoncsdorg/i9ubu0f5iwmdwvjg9xk7/OneMountVernonThumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1715964023/mtvernoncsdorg/i9ubu0f5iwmdwvjg9xk7/OneMountVernonThumbnail.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1715964023/mtvernoncsdorg/i9ubu0f5iwmdwvjg9xk7/OneMountVernonThumbnail.png","width":1400}])
![Photo left to right: Dr. Smith, Trustee Lorna Kirwan, Trustee Adriane Saunders, In-House Counsel Royce Russell, Trustee Helene Thompson Njenga]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1751029917/mtvernoncsdorg/bnz5tw353dlut1lzh0gw/IMG_7702.jpg","width":2200}])
Dr. K. Veronica Smith, Acting Superintendent:
As their terms as trustees of the Mount Vernon City School District come to an end, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Trustee Adriane Saunders, Trustee Lorna Kirwan, and Trustee Helene Thompson-Njenga for all they have done for our District during their time in office. They served as champions for education, always making decisions to better serve the children of Mount Vernon. Our District will wear the mark of the work they have done for years to come, and I am so appreciative of everything we were able to accomplish together for our scholars.
![Valedictorian giving speech at graduation.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1750941650/mtvernoncsdorg/uhquqtzc4e1gaahajxsz/MVHS-25Grad-js-14.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1750941650/mtvernoncsdorg/uhquqtzc4e1gaahajxsz/MVHS-25Grad-js-14.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1750941650/mtvernoncsdorg/uhquqtzc4e1gaahajxsz/MVHS-25Grad-js-14.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1750941650/mtvernoncsdorg/uhquqtzc4e1gaahajxsz/MVHS-25Grad-js-14.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1750941650/mtvernoncsdorg/uhquqtzc4e1gaahajxsz/MVHS-25Grad-js-14.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1750941650/mtvernoncsdorg/uhquqtzc4e1gaahajxsz/MVHS-25Grad-js-14.jpg","width":2200}])
Graduates from Mount Vernon High School and Rebecca Turner Academy walked the stage at Memorial Field on Wednesday evening, as 274 from the Class of 2025 received their diplomas. Students waved and smiled to their families and friends in the packed stadium as they took their places at the front of the ceremony, accompanied by percussion from the Ice Cold Performing Arts, a group made up of Mount Vernon students.