Budget supports District’s mission to promote academic success through diverse academic and extracurricular programs
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (May 21, 2019) — Voters in the Mount Vernon City School District approved a $256,080,057 budget for the 2019-2020 school year by an 854-244 vote on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. For the fourth time in five years, the board and administration put forward a budget with a zero percent increase in the tax levy. The results remain unofficial pending the counting of absentee ballots.
The approved budget is a 1.63 percent increase, or $4,100,197 above last year’s approved budget of $251,979,860. 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 and enhancing curriculum and services for Mount Vernon students.
Highlights from the 2019-2020 budget include funding for a culinary education program at The Mount Vernon High School, new science labs at the District’s Pre-K-8 schools, districtwide bathroom upgrades, and expansion of related services to accommodate students with special needs.
The budget also includes a $1.2 million reduction in teachers’ retirement system (TRS) costs, a $1.2 million reduction in debt service, and reduced administrative costs districtwide.
“I am truly grateful to the community for supporting this budget which builds upon the District’s mission to promote academic success while maintaining staffing. With the passage of this budget, a diverse range of academic and extracurricular programs will be available to students and continue the pathway to making Mount Vernon a competitive school district,” said Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton. “Recognizing our fiduciary responsibility to the City’s taxpayers, the budget maximizes Mount Vernon’s investment to promote the best possible outcomes for its students. Our data is clear that this investment is paying off.”
In November, the District received an A1 underlying rating and Aa3 enhanced rating from Moody’s Investors Services. According to Moody’s rating scale, these ratings are indicators that the District is fiscally strong and has the capacity to meet its financial commitments. This is the second year in a row that the Mount Vernon City School District has received these strong ratings, and they remain the highest ratings the District has ever received from Moody’s. A better bond rating means the District will pay lower interest rates on its debt and save millions of dollars in the coming years, providing more money for its schools and students.
The approved 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.
Additionally, the following district residents were elected to the Board of Education for three-year terms: Melissa L. Patterson, Adriane G. Saunders and Warren B. Mitchell. Serigne M. Gningue received the fourth-most votes and will fill an unexpired portion of a three-year term. He will be sworn in tomorrow and the term will end on June 30, 2020.
Voters also approved a student ex officio member, 833-243.
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.
