The Knight Times

The

KNIGHT TIMES

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

Spring 2018

SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2018

2018-19 School Budget Funds 20/20 Vision from Full-Day Pre-K to High Schools of Choice The 2018-19 Mount Vernon City School District Budget focuses on student achievement; starting with its youngest students and remaining consistent through graduation.

The budget, which totals $251,979,860 is $5.8 million, or 2.36%, more than last year’s spending plan and includes a tax increase of less than 1%.

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. 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.

“We are striving for equity in the education we provide our students across all grade levels and buildings throughout the District,” said Hamilton.

To support the District’s move toward full-day pre-K district wide, the budget includes funding for five new pre-K classrooms. Pre-K teachers and staff will be added to meet the needs of the growing population. A pre-K director will also be hired to oversee the program.

“When a District invests in pre-K, it reduces future expenses for support services,” Hamilton explained. “Full-day, quality, pre-K also enables families to save on daycare costs.”

The District is also investing in quality instructional transformation at the high school level with the creation of three, theme-based high schools of choice. This fall, STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Mathematics) High School, Thornton School for the Performing and Visual Arts and The Mount Vernon High School, with a focus on Career and Technical Education and a rigorous International Baccalaureate Program, will open.

“When students are able to choose their educational pathway, they are more engaged learners and graduate better prepared to compete in a global workplace,” said Hamilton.

In March 2016, the school board unanimously approved the 20/20 Vision Bond to restore academic excellence in the District’s schools. The community overwhelming supported the bond. This marks the first year taxpayers will begin paying for the improvements being made district wide. It was originally estimated in 2016 that a household with an average home assessment would see a tax increase of $14 per month. Thanks to costs savings from budget streamlining and consolidations of services, an average household will only see a $6.82 monthly tax increase.

PLEASE VOTE TUESDAY, MAY 15, 2018 Polls are open 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

By the Numbers • 2017-2018 Voter Approved Budget: $246,169,123 • 2018-2019 Recommended Budget: $251,979,860 • Total Difference: (Increase of 2.36%) $5,810,737

Board of Education Three Board of Education Trustee positions will be elected.

Are you registered?

To find out if you’re registered and where to vote, visit: www.mtvernoncsd.org/community/budget

For more information To learn more and review the budget presentation, visit: www.mtvernoncsd.org/community/budget

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Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

SUPERINTENDENT and Board of Education President Letter Dear Friends, The transformation of the Mount Vernon City School District continues. The 2017-2018 school year has been an incredible year for our staff, our students and our community. From Columbus, Hamilton and Rebecca Turner elementary schools being designated as Schools in Good Standing, to increases in the graduation rates and reductions in suspensions, the promise of the 20/20 Vision is coming to fruition.

Today, we stand at yet another crossroad for our schools and community. Since the current administration arrived, we have worked diligently to reduce expenses, control costs and maximize the use of every tax dollar we receive.

It was through those efforts that we were able to maintain the same tax levy for the last 5 years, resulting in a 0% increase of the tax rate for the last four years.

This is a critical year for our school system. Construction projects are underway across our school district to support the 20/20 Vision, including universal full-day pre-K, the district wide reconfiguration to pre-K through 8th grade neighborhood schools, and the capstone of the 20/20 Vision: three themed-based high schools of choice.

Each of these projects will have a profound impact on our schools, our community and our students.

To support these projects and continue the transformation of our schools, for the first time since 2015, the proposed school budget calls for a modest increase in the tax levy- less than 1%. The 0.89% increase is due in part to costs associated with the 2016 bond referendum, increased costs for health insurance and retirement contributions.

As stewards of tax dollars, the Administration and the Board of Trustees have taken every opportunity to ensure the District is using funds in the most impactful ways possible. Each budget request is submitted with rationales on how the funds will be used to improve student achievement and ensure alignment with the goals as set forth by the Board of Trustees.

The budget before you does just that. It will continue the implementation of the 20/20 Vision with fidelity. It will ensure that our students have access to world-class educational opportunities and programs. It will support our families and students in need while providing additional resources to our gifted and talented program as well as our Performing and Visual Arts Magnet School.

Thank you again for your continued support, trust and confidence.

Yours for the sake of all children,

Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton Superintendent, Mount Vernon City School District

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Adriane G. Saunders President, Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education

Spring 2018

SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2018 Budgeted 2017-18 (A)

2018-2019 Property Tax Report Card

Proposed Budget 2018-19 (B)

Total Budgeted Amount, not Including Separate Propositions

$ 246,169,123

$ 251,979,860

Proposed Tax Levy to Support the Total Budgeted Amount1

$ 134,077,473

$ 135,270,763

$ 5,119,913

$ 12,933,509

$ 131,094,825

$ 129,802,958

$ 128,957,560

$ 122,337,254

$ 2,137,265

$ 7,465,704

Public School Enrollment

$ 8,061

$ 7,800

Consumer Price Index

1.26 %

2.13 %

Permissible Exclusions to the School Tax Levy Limit School Tax Levy Limit , Excluding Levy for Permissible Exclusions

3

Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy, Excluding Levy to Support Library Debt and/or Permissible Exclusions Difference; (negative value requires 60.0% voter approval)2

1 Include any prior year reserve for excess tax levy, including interest.

2 Tax levy associated with educational or transportation services propositions are not eligible for exclusion under the School Tax Levy Limit and may affect voter approval requirements.

3 For 2018-19, includes any carryover from 2017-18 and excludes any tax levy for library debt or prior year reserve for excess tax levy, including interest.

Actual 2017-18 (D)

Estimated 2018-19 (E)

Adjusted Restricted Fund Balance

$ 19,924,388

$ 15,046,336

Assigned Appropriated Fund Balance

$ 6,332,450

$ 6,238,458

Adjusted Unrestricted Fund Balance

$ 7,185,401

$ 7,979,031

2.92 %

3.17 %

Adjusted Unrestricted Fund Balance as a Percent of the Total Budget

Schedule of Reserve Funds Reserve Type

Reserve Name

Reserve Description*

Capital

To pay the cost of any object or purpose for which bonds may be issued.

Repair

To pay the cost of repairs to capital improvements or equipment.

To pay for Workers Compensation and benefits.

To pay the cost of reimbursement to the State Unemployment Insurance Fund.

For the gradual use of the proceeds of the sale of school district real property.

To cover debt service payments on outstanding obligations (bonds, BANS) after the sale of district capital assets or improvements.

Workers’ Compensation Unemployment Insurance

Workers’ Compensation Reserve Unemployment Insurance Reserve

Reserve for Tax Reduction Mandatory Reserve for Debt Service

Reserve for Debt Service

Insurance Property Loss Liability Tax Certiorari

Tax Certiorari Reserve

Reserve for Insurance Recoveries Employee Benefit Accrued Liability

Compensated absences reserve

Retirement Contribution

Retirement Contribution Reserve

Reserve for Uncollected Taxes

To pay liability, casualty, and other types of uninsured losses.

To establish and maintain a program of reserves to cover property loss.

To establish and maintain a program of reserves to cover liability claims incurred.

To establish a reserve fund for tax certiorari settlements.

To account for unexpended proceeds of insurance recoveries at the fiscal year end.

For the payment of accrued ‘employee benefits’ due to employees upon termination of service.

To fund employer retirement contributions to the State and Local Employees’ Retirement System For unpaid taxes due to certain city school districts not being reimbursed by their city/county until the following fiscal year.

3/31/18 Actual Balance

6/30/18 Estimated Ending Balance

$ 317,145

$ 117,145

$ 74,357

$ 49,357

$ 12,035,152

$ 8,971,694

$1,227,252 will be used to pay off an old tax certiorari bond for which a 5-year debt service reserve was established in 2013. $336,206 will be used partially to offset debt service against an old bond. $1,500,000 will be used to offset debt services against a new bond referendum approved by the distrcits’ tax payers in 2016

$ 6,979,534

$ 4,479,534

An estimated $2,500,000 will be used to settle tax certiorari judgments through 6-30-2018 from available tax certiorari reserves

$ 1,023,622

$ 723,622

$ 2,024,175

$ 1,274,175

Intended Use of the Reserve in the 2018-19 School Year

$200,000 will be used to offset additional quarterly employer assessments/invoices $25,000 will be used to off-set unemployment insurance premium bills

$300,000 will be used to offset retiree health insurance premium bills per contractual obligations $750,000 will be used to offset Employees’ Retirement System obligations/invoices

Other Reserve

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Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2018

2018-19 School District Budget Notice The information provided below is the “School District Budget Notice,” as required by state law. School districts must distribute this notice, as prescribed, to all district residents.

Overall Budget Proposal Total Budgeted Amount, Not including Separate Propositions Increase/decrease for the 2017-18 school year Percentage increase/decrease in Proposed Budget Change in the Consumer Price Index Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy, Including Levy to Support Library Debt, if applicable Total Permissable Exclusions

Budget Adopted for the 2017-18 School Year

Budget Proposed for the 2018-19 School Year

Contingency Budget for the 2018-19 School Year*

$ 246,169,123

$ 251,979,860

$ 249,112,217

$ 7,419,288

$ 5,810,737

$ 2,943,094

3.11 %

2.36 %

1.20 %

1.26 %

2.13 %

2.13 %

$ 134,077,473

$ 135,270,763

$ 134,077,473

$ 5,119,913

$ 12,933,509

A. Proposed School Year Tax Levy, Not Including Levy for Permissible Exclusions or Levy to Support Library Debt

$ 128,957,560

$ 122,337,254

B. School Tax Levy Limit, Not Including Levy for Permissible Exclusions

$ 131,094,825

$ 129,802,958

Difference: A-B (Positive Value Requires 60.0% Voter Approval - See Note Below Regarding Separate Propostions

($ 2,137,265)

($ 7,465,704)

Administrative component

$ 24,588,097

$ 24,766,807

$ 24,734,807

Program component

$ 178,430,857

$ 178,696,089

$ 178,247,446

Capital component

$ 43,150,169

$ 48,516,964

$ 46,129,964

*Statement of assumptions made in projecting a contingency budget for the 2018-19 school year should the proposed budget be defeated pursuant to Section 2023 of the Education Law. From the proposed 2018-19 budget, remove all non-contingent items: equipment purchases for the Superintendent’s office, information technology, buildings & grounds, school improvement, classroom furniture, computer assisted instruction, guidance equipment, PPS equipment, athletic equipmet, raise for exempt employees, field trips as well as transfer to capital. The amount of the Administrative component at 12.19% as a percentage of the total of both of the Administrative and Program components in the contingent budget is greater than the percentage at 12.11% of the Administrative component in 2017-18. This will require additional adjustments and reductions in the Administrative and Program components to maintain the percentage from 2017-2018. The tax levy required will be 134,077,473 Under the Budget Proposed for the 2018-2019 School Year Estimated Basic STAR Exemption Savings¹

$ 2,330

The annual budget vote for the fiscal year 2018-19 by the qualified voters of the Mount Vernon City School District, Westchester County, New York, will be held at Lincoln School, 170 East Lincoln Ave. (EDs # 1, 2, 21); Cecil H. Parker School, 461 South 6th Ave. (EDs # 4, 12); Hamilton School, 20 Oak St. (EDs # 5,19); Traphagen School, Oakland Ave. (EDs # 6A, 6B, 8); Edward Williams School, 9 Union Lane (EDs # 7, 18); Grimes Elementary School, 58 South 10th Ave. (EDs # 22, 27); Graham School, 421 East 5th St. (EDs # 9, 13, 23); Mandela High School. 250 Gramatan Ave. (EDs # 10, 24); Rebecca Turner Elementary School, 625 Fourth Ave. (EDs # 14, 20); Pennington School, 20 Fairway (EDs # 11, 16, 26); and Holmes School, 195 North Columbus Ave. (EDs # 17, 25) in said district on Tuesday May16, 2017 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting ballot or machine. ¹The basic school tax relief (STAR) exemption is authorized by section 425 of the Real Property Tax Law.

What educational programming and new initiatives are in this budget?

The 2018-2019 Proposed Budget will have less than a 1% increase in the Local Tax Levy and will include initiatives to improve student outcomes equitably, district wide.

2018-19 Budget Highlights: • Five new pre-K classrooms, pre-K director, teachers, and staff • Facilities, safety upgrades and transformation to pre-K–8 buildings • Building restoration of Edward Williams School, including auditorium • Complete restoration of Columbus School auditorium

• CTE program development including Culinary Arts kitchen renovation • Phase 3 of the Mount Vernon High School Pool Restoration • STEAM High School technology needs, including 3D printers, robotics • Performing & Visual Arts sets, transportation and professional development • International Baccalaureate application and program development FOR MORE INFORMATION To learn more and review the budget presentation, visit: www.mtvernoncsd.org/community/budget

Spring 2018

SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2018

2018-2019 Budget in Three Parts Function or Account

Code

% of Total Budget

Administration 9.83%

Capital 19.25%

Programs

Total

70.92%

TOTAL 2018-2019

Difference

2017-2018

Dollars

Percent -10.98%

Board of Education

1099.0

$ 253,327

$ 253,327

$ 284,575

($ 31,248)

Central Admin

1240.0

$ 1,074,285

$ 1,074,285

$ 997,673

$ 76,612

7.68%

Finance

1399.0

$ 1,878,277

$ 1,878,277

$ 1,818,668

$ 59,609

3.28% 57.38%

Legal Services

1420.0

$ 1,001,366

$ 1,001,366

$ 636,270

$ 365,096

Personnel

1430.0

$ 785,050

$ 785,050

$ 760,652

$ 24,398

3.21%

Records Management

1460.0

$ 28,500

$ 28,500

$ 28,500

$-

0.00%

Public Information

1480.0

$ 116,000

$ 116,000

$ 116,000

$-

0.00%

Operation of Plant

1620.0

$ 10,906,325

$ 10,906,325

$ 10,018,131

$ 888,194

8.87%

Maintenance of Plant

1621.0

$ 3,390,919

$ 3,390,919

$ 2,635,665

$ 755,254

28.66%

Security

1623.0

Other Central Serv.

1699.0

$ 3,507,786 $ 2,951,858

$ 3,507,786

$ 3,524,937

($ 17,151)

-0.49%

$ 2,951,858

$ 3,225,254

($ 273,396)

-8.48%

Insurance Prop/Liab

1910.4

$ 1,400,000

$ 1,400,000

$ 1,320,000

$ 80,000

6.06%

Judgments & Claims

1930.4

$ 305,000

$ 305,000

$ 105,000

$ 200,000

190.48%

County Sewer Taxes

1950.4

$ 275,000

$ 275,000

$ 260,000

$ 15,000

5.77%

Refund of Taxes

1964.4

Other Special Items

1998.0

$ 1,111,279

$ 1,111,279

$ 1,015,391

$ 95,888

9.44%

Curriculum Devel.

2010.0

$ 4,162,124

$ 4,162,124

$ 4,249,925

($ 87,801)

-2.07%

Supervision Reg School

2020.0

$ 6,362,216

$ 6,362,216

$ 6,283,115

$ 79,101

1.26%

Supervision Special School

2040.0

$ 1,039,773

$ 1,039,773

$ 1,262,517

($ 222,744)

-17.64%

$ 203,000

-3.24%

Other Admin Support

2099.0

$ 203,000

$ 209,793

($ 6,793)

Regular School, LEP & PSEN

2110.0

$ 70,668,463

$ 70,668,463

$ 69,134,444

$ 1,534,019

2.22%

Program for Special Ed

2250.0

$ 39,943,430

$ 39,943,430

$ 42,333,527

($ 2,390,097)

-5.65%

Occupational Education

2280.0

$ 1,458,345

$ 1,458,345

$ 1,565,373

($ 107,028)

-6.84%

Special Schools & Programs

2399.0

$ 205,047

$ 205,047

$ 241,095

($ 36,048)

-14.95% 16.55%

Media & Computer

2699.0

$ 7,948,430

$ 7,948,430

$ 6,819,724

$ 1,128,706

Pupil Personnel Services

2899.0

$ 10,885,966

$ 10,885,966

$ 10,295,799

$ 590,167

5.73%

Extra-curricular & Interscholastic Sports

2859.0

$ 997,293

$ 997,293

$ 939,368

$ 57,925

6.17%

District Transportation

5510.0

$ 243,485

$ 243,485

$ 332,726

($ 89,241)

-26.82%

Contract Transportation

5540.4

$ 6,550,072

$ 6,550,072

$ 8,068,628

($ 1,518,556)

-18.82%

Employee Benefits

9098.0

Debt Service

9898.0

$ 20,357,336

Transfers to Capital

9950.9

$ 2,200,000

Other Transfers

9951.0

2018-19 Proposed Budget

$ 3,799,752

$ 24,766,807

$ 6,174,598

$ 48,516,964

$ 37,522,556

$ 47,496,906

$ 46,247,051

$ 1,249,855

2.70%

$ 20,357,336

$ 16,474,142

$ 3,883,194

23.57% -21.43%

$ 2,200,000

$ 2,800,177

($ 600,177)

$ 2,273,002

$ 2,273,002

$ 2,165,003

$ 107,999

4.99%

$ 178,696,089

$ 251,979,860

$ 246,169,123

$ 5,810,736

2.36%

2018-19 Admin. as % of Admin. & Inst.

9.83%

19.25%

70.92%

100.0%

2018-19 Budget

$ 24,588,097

$ 43,150,169

$ 178,430,857

$ 246,169,123

% of Total Budget

9.99%

17.53%

72.48%

100.0%

How is money distributed in the budget?

Administration: 9.83%

Capital: 19.25%

Programs: 70.92% This category includes all expense items directly attributed to the education of students.

Capital: 19.25% This category includes maintenance and operations of school buildings and grounds, utilities, and debt service.

Administration: 9.83% This category includes salaries and benefits for all administrative personnel, including some central office staff, as well as legal services and other central services.

Programs: 70.92%

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Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

BUDGET REVENUE Where does the money come from?

The District receives funding through a variety of sources.

53.6% of our revenue is derived from the local property tax, 40.1% is funded through state and federal aid. The balance of the budget is funded through local revenue sources and the District’s fund balance (restricted and unrestricted) totaling less than 7% of the entire budget.

Other Local Revenue: 3.6%

What is the fund balance?

Fund balance is money that has remained unspent from previous budgets. This money is like a bank account of savings, some of which may be used to close the gap between revenue and expense in future budgets, and some of which is set aside or is restricted to be used for a special purpose only. Such special purposes are designated by the board and may include payments for tax certioraris (tax refunds from reduction in assessments), or some other future special purpose.

What are school aid runs?

School aid runs are the portions of money that are allocated to the school districts across the state. The state budget authorizes a certain amount of money to be devoted to school aid, and this money is distributed based on a school aid formula. The results are then listed in the school aid runs that are usually released with the budget. This way, school districts can plan their budgets for the next school year. These runs were released on April 1, 2018, and have now been incorporated into the 2018-2019 budget.

Local Property Taxes: 53.6%

Fund Balance: 2.7%

State & Federal Aid: 40.1%

How does the proposed budget affect my property taxes?

At this time, it is impossible to say with certainty what a typical tax bill would look like for a homeowner in Mount Vernon for the 2018-2019 school year. Factors outside the District’s control such as assessments provided by the city, will not be available until after the budget vote. At the present time, we can estimate that a home with an average assessed value of $10,378 will see a tax increase of $6.82 per month.

Arts Magnet Band recognized The Mount Vernon City School District’s Arts Magnet Band is being recognized for providing students with quality music education. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. - Westchester Alumnae Chapter (DSTWAC) is honoring the band with the Osceola McCarthy Adams – Rising Star Award.

The award will be presented on Sunday, May 20, 2018 at 2 p.m. at the Greenburgh Public Library Multipurpose Room located at 300 Tarrytown Road in Elmsford.

“The Arts Magnet Band is honored to be recognized by such a prestigious organization,” said Evelyn Collins, Director of Arts & Gifted and Talented Education. “Mount Vernon is committed to providing students the opportunity to hone their musical talents while preparing them for work in any field.”

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The Performing and Visual Arts Magnet School’s next performance is May 23, 2018 at 6 p.m. in the Mount Vernon High School Auditorium. Spring Showcase 2018 is the culmination of a year in the arts for the dance, musical theater, band, orchestra and visual arts classes.

Spring 2018

District Presents 2018 DISTINGUISHED TEACHER AWARDS The Mount Vernon City School District presented nine awards to its teachers in April under the bright lights and glamour of an Academy Awards-like presentation, complete with red carpet, photo opps and guest celebrity host, Robin Givens.

Awards were given in eight categories at the Distinguished Teacher of the Year program. After the category awards, the evening culminated in the presentation of the Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award, which was chosen from the eight category finalists. The award was given to Peggy Williams of Mount Vernon High School.

Teachers were honored for their efforts both inside the classroom and beyond that impact the academic and personal lives of their students.

Ronald Gonzalez, Principal, Mount Vernon High School; Peggy Williams, School Counselor, Mount Vernon High School; and Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, Superintendent of the Mount Vernon City School District

“My team and I achieved an unprecedented increase in foundation aid for public schools,” Sen. Klein said. “But schools do not work “The Distinguished Teacher Awards are an opportunity for without good teachers and great administrative supports. I the Mount Vernon City School District and the community know you have that here in Mount Vernon. It’s important to to really learn about the amazing people and educators in recognize and support the treasures in your midst, those just our District,” Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, Superintendent beginning their professional teaching journey, and those who of the Mount Vernon City School District, told the crowd. have maintained the District’s forward motion and continue “Fifty nominees were submitted in a public process. And let to serve with excellence.” me tell you, even I was amazed reading about the incredible backgrounds and journeys of the educators in our District.” The category winners were: A confidential committee reviewed each nomination and a carefully developed rubric was used to assess each application received. The committee members even signed non-disclosure agreements and spent nearly 20 hours reviewing applications.

Williams, a school counselor, thanked the School District, the Board of Education, Dr. Hamilton, her fellow teachers at Mount Vernon High School, family and friends. She’s been an educator for 19 years. She received her bachelor’s in English Literature with a minor in Speech Communication from Iona College. She then worked in the Student Life Office at the College of New Rochelle, where she achieved a master’s in School Counseling and began her second career in education.

“I haven’t regretted one day and am thankful for all the hills and valleys that have shaped my professionalism and service to the families of Mount Vernon,” Williams wrote in her program biography.

The entire evening was made possible by generous donations from sponsors in the community, including Senator Jeffrey Klein (34th District), Scholastic Education, and others, who sponsored a reception for guests before the presentation of the awards.

Newbie Teacher Award (teachers in their second to fourth years) – Henry Johnson, A.B. Davis Middle School, Math Pre-K /Kindergarten Teacher Award – Laurie Lee Miller, Williams Elementary School, Pre-K Encore Teacher Award (educators representing the arts, music, physical education, home and careers, library and media, reading specialists and nursing) – Charlotte Moore, Traphagen School, Music Elementary School Teacher Award – Simone Oliver, Parker School, Second Grade Rookie Teacher Award (an exemplary first-year teacher within our District) – Lauren Yancigay-Rosa, Grimes School, Third Grade Middle School Teacher Award – Andrew Pucci, A.B. Davis Middle School, Eighth Grade Student Services Award (exemplary social workers, guidance counselors, special education leadership, and speech language pathologists) – Peggy Williams, Mount Vernon High School High School Teacher Award – Demetrios Mihaildis, Mount Vernon High School 7

Mount Vernon City School District 165 N. Columbus Avenue Mount Vernon, NY 10552

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit # 5140 White Plains, NY

Board of Education Adriane G. Saunders, President Wanda White, Vice President Dr. Serigne M. Gningue Rosemarie Jarosz Micah J.B. McOwen Stanley Russo Arlene Torres Israel Williams Lesly Zamor

***ECRWSS*** Postal Patron Mount Vernon, NY

BUDGET VOTE What am I voting on?

Residents are voting on a proposed $251,979,860 budget for the 2018-19 school year, which calls for a 2.36 percent spending increase from the 2017-18 school year. Residents are also voting to fill three trustee seats on the Board of Education. Detailed copies of the proposed budget and additional information about the proposed budget are available at the District office.

Who can vote?

Voter Eligibility & Qualifications: You can vote if you are: 18 years of age or over, a U.S. citizen, if you are registered to vote, a resident of New York State and the City School District of the City of Mount Vernon for at least 30 days preceding the election, if you voted in the last election, you are eligible to vote in this election and if you are properly registered on the Westchester County General Election List.

How do I register to vote?

If you are not sure whether you are properly registered, call the Sr. Clerk/ Records Access Officer at (914) 665-5866 or the District Clerk at (914) 665-5235.

Can I vote by absentee ballot?

Absentee Ballot Applications must be submitted to the District Clerk’s Office

by Tuesday, May 8, 2018 if the Absentee Ballot is to be mailed to the voter; or the day before the election on Monday, May 14, 2018 if the Absentee Ballot is to be issued to the voter in person. Absentee Ballots must be received in the District Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

When and where is the vote?

The school budget vote will take place on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., prevailing time at which time the polls will be opened

to vote by voting ballot or machine. The What would happen if the budget is annual budget vote for the fiscal year 2018- voted down?

19 by the qualified voters of the Mount Statement of assumptions made in Vernon City School District, Westchester projecting a contingency budget for the County, New York, will be held at: 2018-19 school year should the proposed • Lincoln School, 170 East Lincoln Ave. budget be defeated pursuant to Section 2023 of the Education Law. From the (EDs # 1, 2, 21) proposed 2018-19 budget, remove all • Cecil H. Parker School, 461 South 6th non-contingent items: District wide Ave. (EDs # 4, 12) equipment purchases, classroom furniture, • Hamilton School, 20 Oak St. (EDs # computer assisted instruction, athletic 5, 10, 19, 24) equipment, raises for exempt employees, • Traphagen School, 72 Lexington Ave. field trips as well as all capital projects, such as the Columbus Elementary School (EDs # 6A, 6B, 8) • Edward Williams School, 9 Union auditorium and the Edward Williams Elementary School renovations, and Lane (EDs # 7, 18) full-day pre-K expansion. The amount • Grimes Elementary School, 58 South of the Administrative component at 10th Ave. (EDs # 22, 27) 12.19% as a percentage of the total of • Graham School, 421 East 5th St. (EDs both the Administrative and Program # 9, 13, 23) components in the contingent budget is • Rebecca Turner Elementary School, greater than the percentage at 12.11% of the Administrative component in 2017-18.

625 4th Ave. (EDs # 14, 20) This will require additional adjustments • Mount Vernon High School, 100 and reductions in the Administrative and California Rd. (EDs # 11, 16, 26) Program components to maintain the • Holmes School, 195 North Columbus percentage from 2017-2018. The tax levy Ave. (EDs # 17, 25) required will be $134,077,473.

To find out if you’re registered and where to vote, visit www.mtvernoncsd.org/ community/budget For more information and for a copy of the Call the District office at (914) 665-5866 2018-19 school budget, visit the Board of Education or go to www.mtvernoncsd.org if you’re unsure where you should vote.