Mount Vernon – Voters in the Mount Vernon City School District approved a $251,979,860 budget for the 2018-19 school year by a 1,051-657 vote on Tuesday. The results remain unofficial pending the counting of absentee ballots. 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.
Additionally, district officials announced the following candidates were elected to the Board of Education for three-year terms: Wanda White, with 1,271 votes; Darthea “Darcy” Miller, with 1,112 votes; and Micah McOwen, with 1,039 votes.
Vice President Wanda White and Micha J.B. McOwen, the incumbents retain their seats and challenger Darthea “Darcy” Miller, who lost her seat in 2017, returns to the board taking incumbent and former Board President (2016-2017) Lesly Zamor’s seat, who did not re-run.
“The next three years are mission critical for the 20/20 vision for Mount Vernon Schools,” Darcy Miller shares with Black Westchester. “The approval of the budget and the election of this slate were essential next steps in that process. Mount Vernon came together in support of a better future for all of our children. My deepest gratitude to all…”
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.
“With this approved budget, we will continue to strive for equity in the education we provide our students across all grade levels and buildings throughout the District,” said Hamilton. “The passage of this budget is a testament to voters’ recognition of the critical importance of academic excellence. The community’s support of the District’s 20/20 Vision has been unwavering, and I can’t thank residents enough!
The Board of Education is the official policy-making body of the school district, and is comprised of nine members, elected by the public, who serve three-year terms of office without paid compensation.
The areas of Board responsibility include:
- Exercising educational leadership and drafting policies for the effective operation of the Mount Vernon City School District.
- Employing the Superintendent of Schools
- Confirming appointments of administrators, teachers and other district staff members
- Setting goals for educational standards
- Adopting a yearly budget and authorizing certain expenditures
- Expressing and representing the views of the community in matters affecting educational programs and needs of the community.
Stay tuned and refresh for further updates and quotes from the winners as they become available!
AJ Woodson
AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester and Co-Owner of Urban Soul Media Group, the parent company, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show. AJ is a Father, Brother, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Hip-Hop Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.
