New Mount Vernon School District Superintendent Announced

MOUNT VERNON, NY —A change of leadership at Mount Vernon City School District happened sooner than expected, as the school system faces a turning point.

Mount Vernon Board of Education trustees formally approved resolutions involving a transition in district leadership, effective immediately.

Waveline Bennett-Conroy, Ed.D was previously the district's Assistant Superintendent for School Improvement and was appointed Acting Superintendent through June 30. She will then become the new Superintendent of Schools on July 1, with a three-year contract.

"During my tenure, I intend to properly address our areas of concern while also celebrating the things we do well," Bennett-Conroy said after being named to the position unanimously by the Board of Education. "I would like to thank you for placing your trust in me and I look forward to working with you to change the narrative and bring back pride to the Knights."

The current superintendent, Kenneth Hamilton, Ed.D, who was out on medical leave, will remain on medical leave through the remainder of the school year. The board thanked Hamilton for his service. He will be the new Superintendent of the Edgemont Union Free School District, starting in July.

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"We have been grateful for the professionalism and positive influence of Dr. Bennett-Conroy during Dr. Hamilton's absence," the school board said in a statement announcing the appointment. "Having served the district for more than 21 years, she fully recognizes the district's successes and its challenges, and is prepared to bring fresh perspectives, new idea and an urgency for meaningful change in our school community."

Bennett-Conroy arrived in Mount Vernon to teach Spanish in 2001 after 11 years of teaching at a private school in the Bronx. Prior to her position in the Bronx, she taught Spanish and Science for eight years in other schools throughout the Bronx, Manhattan and her native Jamaica. In 2004, she became the Ninth Grade Academy Principal at Mount Vernon High School and then served as the school's Interim Principal for 14 months. She was also Director of Pupil Personnel Services for the district for seven years before becoming Assistant Superintendent for School Improvement in 2015. Bennett-Conroy also served as Interim Superintendent of Schools for eight months during the 2011-12 school year.

"Her work through the years has demonstrated an all-encompassing commitment to our students, families and larger Mount Vernon community," the district said in the release. "Her ability to generate tens of millions of dollars in grant funding has had an extraordinary financial and programmatic effect on our schools. And a sharp focus on professional development and personnel recruitment has brought many strong educators to our district. She has earned their respect, and ours, for these critical efforts."

The new superintendent holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Microbiology, Master of Arts degrees in Spanish and Sociology, a Master's in Educational Administration and Supervision and a doctorate in Educational Leadership. Bennett-Conroy has been awarded tenure three times in Mount Vernon.

There won't be much of a honeymoon period for Bennett-Conroy.

"One of the first significant efforts of Dr. Bennett-Conroy's leadership will be an audit and likely overhaul of the district's school security operation," the board said announcing the new chief.

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