One Mount Vernon Digital Newsletter
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Greetings MVCSD Community,
This week, the Board of Education adopted the budget for the 2025-2026 school year, which will go to voters in the Mount Vernon community on Tuesday, May 20. This budget meets our top priorities of creating a path to sustainability for the District and increasing fiscal responsibility with efficient spending and transparency. While the District has been categorized with significant fiscal stress by the New York State Comptroller, this budget allows us to plan for the future and begin addressing financial concerns. There is a proposed 3.3% tax levy increase, which is 34% below the state tax cap of 5%. This increase will go directly towards addressing union contracts and preserving programs such as pre-K, athletics, after-school programs, and performing and visual arts. Thank you to the Board of Education for approving this spending plan, which will be so vital to the District’s future success.
This week, students at Benjamin Turner Academy and Mount Vernon Leadership Academy got ready for state testing with pep rallies, motivating them to have a successful and positive testing experience. Exams can be stressful, but teachers and administrators who work to inspire their students can make it much easier for them, ensuring that they know they have the support of their whole school. Good luck to all our students for their remaining tests this school year!
On Tuesday, MVHS student Desirae Bailey-McCalla read her original picture book about the Holocaust at the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center. She worked with a daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, Helen Rubel, to learn about her family’s story and develop the book. Desirae did a great job of creatively presenting all that she has learned about an important piece of history. Great work, Desirae!
The Senior Spotlight Series is heading to Mount Vernon STEAM Academy this week to highlight the senior class president, Ethan Fertil. Ethan has worked hard inside and outside of school to become the outstanding student that he is today. As class president, he has managed to excel at all his responsibilities while still maintaining superb grades. Good luck in your next steps Ethan!
Please join the Mount Vernon City School District and the Special Education PTA (SEPTA) for Autism Acceptance Day at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at Benjamin Turner Academy. April is National Autism Acceptance Month, and it is so important that our students with autism, or any other disability, feel accepted in this District. I would like to thank SEPTA for putting on this amazing event, which is such a positive experience for our scholars and their families.
Kindest Regards,
Dr. K. Veronica Smith
Acting Superintendent of Schools
MVCSD BOARD ADOPTS BUDGET FOR 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education adopted the proposed budget for the 2025-2026 school year at Tuesday’s Board meeting.
STUDENTS AT MVLA AND BTA PREPARE FOR STATE TESTING WITH PEP RALLIES
Students at Mount Vernon Leadership Academy and Benjamin Turner Academy got hyped up during their pep rallies on Tuesday afternoon to boost confidence and student morale just before grades three through eight take their New York State tests.
STEAM ACADEMY SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT COMMITS TO SERVICE AND SUSTAINABILITY
Ethan Fertil, Mount Vernon STEAM Academy’s senior class president, has spent the last four years dedicated to making his school a fun and inclusive place for students to attend. Ethan works hard to create an enjoyable and sustainable future for himself, his classmates and his community through his academics and service.
MVHS STUDENT CREATES PICTURE BOOK ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST FOR LIVING HISTORY PROJECT
Mount Vernon High School eleventh-grade student Desirae Bailey-McCalla presented to the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) and the families of Holocaust survivors this Tuesday. HHREC offers this opportunity through their High School Living History Project, inviting students from high schools in Westchester to connect with families of Holocaust survivors to learn and process their narratives of history.
DISTRICTWIDE AUTISTM ACCEPTANCE DAY AT BTA 3:15PM ON TUES., APRIL 29
Districtwide Autism Acceptance Day will be held at Benjamin Turner Academy at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The free event will feature parent resources, popcorn, pizza, sensory stations and more! If you are interested in buying a shirt of donating, click here or scan the QR code. Come out to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month with the Mount Vernon City School District and the Special Education PTA!