MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (April 18, 2018) – The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education last night approved a proposed $251,979,860 budget for the 2018-2019 school year. The 0.89% tax increase is the lowest of all districts in Westchester and Putnam counties and the first tax rate increase since Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton and his administrative team took the helm in July 2014.
The budget is $5.8 million, or 2.36%, more than last year’s spending plan and includes a tax increase of less than 1%. The budget funds staff, programs and capital improvements that will keep the District moving toward the goals set forth in the Superintendent’s 20/20 Vision for Academic Excellence.
“Our focus remains first and foremost on student achievement and success, starting with our youngest students and remaining consistent through graduation” said Hamilton. “This budget supports the District’s move toward full-day pre-K for all students and the establishment of three theme-based high schools of choice which will open in the fall.”
The proposed budget, which goes before voters on May 15, includes:
· Five new pre-K classrooms, pre-K director, teachers, and staff
· Facilities, safety upgrades inclusive of fire alarms, exit lights, security systems
· Building restoration of Edward Williams School, including auditorium
· Complete restoration of Columbus School auditorium
· Mt. Vernon High School Culinary Arts kitchen renovation
· Phase 2 of the District’s reconfiguration to neighborhood pre-K-8 buildings
In March 2016, the school board unanimously approved the 20/20 Vision Bond to restore academic excellence in the District’s schools. The community overwhelming supported the bond. This marks the first year taxpayers will begin paying for the improvements being made district-wide. It was originally estimated in 2016 that a household with an average home assessment would see a tax increase of $14 per month. Thanks to costs savings from budget streamlining and consolidations of services, an average household will only see a $6.82 monthly tax increase.
The proposed budget is 100 percent aligned with the Board of Education’s goals to create systems to promote student achievement and increase outcomes, paying particular attention to subgroups in order to close the student achievement gap and implementing a multi-year plan for improving buildings, grounds, and facilities including the exploration of private and public partnerships.
To learn more and review the budget presentation, visit: http://www.mtvernoncsd.org/community/budget.
About Mount Vernon City School District
With more than 8,000 students in 16 schools, the Mount Vernon City School District is committed to providing a quality education to its children as well as developing programs that meet the diverse academic and social needs of its students.
