Mount Vernon School Budget Results Are In

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Mount Vernon city school district residents approved a 2019-20 school budget on Tuesday. The $256.1 million proposed budget is a 1.63% spending increase over the current year and it comes with no change at all in the school tax levy.

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.”

Budget:

• Yes - 854
• No - 244

Also on the ballot: Voters approved adding an ex officio student member to the Board of Trustees. This will provide a student voice on the Board of Education, the official policy-making body of the Mount Vernon City School District.

• Yes - 833
• No - 243

Three incumbents and two challengers ran for seats on the school board: Dr. Serigne M. Gningue (incumbent), Deborah Harris, Warren B. Mitchell, Melissa Munoz Patterson (incumbent) and Adriane Saunders (incumbent).

Melissa L. Patterson, Adriane G. Saunders and Warren B. Mitchell won 3-year terms. 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.

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