The Knight Times - Special Issue by MVCSD

The

KNIGHT TIMES

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

Volume VIII: May 2016

SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2016

MOUNT VERNON BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES PROPOSED $238.7 MILLION BUDGET Voters to decide May 17th on 2016-2017 school year spending plan The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education unanimously approved a proposed $238,749,835 budget for the 2016-2017 school year on April 19. The budget has a zero percent increase in the tax levy. The total proposed taxes to be collected by the school district will be $134,077,473, which is unchanged for the third consecutive year. “The details of this budget are representative of what this district feels is critically important: Giving each child in the Mount Vernon School District the very best opportunities for the best education possible,” said Board of Education President Adriane G. Saunders. “We are hopeful voters will feel the same.” The proposed budget is a 3.41 percent increase, or $7,862,462, above last year’s approved budget of $230,887,373. “Our focus remains first and foremost on student achievement and success,” said Superintendent Kenneth R. Hamilton. “We took great care to ensure this budget is in alignment with our long-term 20/20 Vision bond plans. We are positioning Mount Vernon to be the epicenter for outstanding and long-lasting student accomplishments in this region. The 21st Century learning environment we are creating will be the example others will want to follow.” The proposed budget is 100 percent aligned with the Board of Education’s goals to create systems to promote student achievement and increase outcomes, paying particular attention to subgroups in order to close the student achievement gap and developing and implementing a multiyear plan for improving buildings, grounds, and facilities, including the exploration of private and public partnerships.

PLEASE VOTE TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2016 Polls are open 7 a.m.-9 p.m.

BY THE NUMBERS • 2015-2016 Voter Approved Budget: $230,887,373 • 2016-2017 Recommended Budget: $238,749,835 • Total Difference: (Increase of 3.41%) $7,862,462

The 2016-2017 Proposed Budget will have NO Impact on the Local Tax Levy

2016-17 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS • Creation of six new English native learner positions • Creation of six new special education teacher positions • Continuation of the beautification program at five elementary schools and Mandela High School • Expansion of the middle school sports program to include wrestling, volleyball and softball

FOR MORE INFORMATION To learn more and review the budget presentation, visit: www.mtvernoncsd.org/community/budget

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT LETTERS Dear Neighbor,

Dear Friends, What an incredible year it has been for the Mount Vernon City School District, our students and community! With the support of our community, elected officials, religious leaders and countless others, the 2016 Bond was overwhelmingly approved by voters and the 20/20 Vision is coming into focus. Thank you for your support and encouragement.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to thank you, the community, for your overwhelming support of the 2016 Bond and the 20/20 Vision. This endeavor is the next step in the transformation of the Mount Vernon City School District. It is however, only a small step on our road to academic excellence.

Over the next few months, implementation plans will be finalized and construction phases will be shared with the community. As we embark on the first part of this journey we look forward to sharing our progress with you through newsletters, local media, social media and community forums.

The true test of our plan and our willingness to change our schools and our city will come in the months and years to come. As a community we need to realize that change is not an event, but a process; a process we all will be a part of and, more importantly, a process that will be transparent and open.

On Tuesday, May 17, you will be asked to vote on the school district’s annual budget. This year’s plan will continue the district’s transformation toward academic excellence. The spending plan being recommended accomplishes several goals:

The next step on this journey is just around the corner. The 2016-2017 budget that the Superintendent has recommended begins to lay the ground work for the full implementation of the 20/20 Vision. As our buildings get ready for facelifts and reconfiguration, we need to ensure that our academic programs and staff are prepared for the change as well.

1. Increase student achievement 2. B uildings, grounds and facilities to enhance community pride 3. Restore community confidence in our schools 4. Expand 21st Century technology and connectivity 5. Increase opportunities and offerings in the arts These investments lay the groundwork for the 20/20 Vision. More important to note, is that we are able to achieve these goals while holding the line on taxes on the general budget. For a third year in a row, the district will increase opportunities and programs without impacting the local taxes. We have heard loud and clear the need for increased accountability, controlled spending and better student outcomes and the budget is designed to do just that.

These changes include increased funding for special education and staff development, as well as the expansion of academic support services for struggling students. It will provide the resources necessary to hold staff more accountable than ever before to ensure the delivery of high quality education. The Board of Trustees has heeded the call of our community to do more with less. For the third consecutive year, we have been able to responsibly grow our programs and expand opportunities while holding the line on taxes. I urge you to review this document and visit our website for more information on the 2016-2017 budget. We are excited about all the possibilities it will provide and we hope you are too! Sincerely,

Yours for the sake of all children,

Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton Superintendent of Schools 2

Adriane G. Saunders President, Board of Education

SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2016

BUDGET REVENUE Where does the money come from? The district receives funding through a variety of sources: 56.16% of our revenue is derived from the local property tax, 39.58% 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 4.26% of the entire budget.

Fund Balance: 1.08% Other Local Revenue: 3.18%

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, 2016, and have now been incorporated into our 2016-2017 budget.

State & Federal Aid: 39.58%

Local Property Taxes: 56.16%

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 2016-2017 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 $10,270 will likely not be effected.

2015-2016 Property Tax Report Card

Budgeted 2015-16 (A)

Budgeted 2016-17 (B)

Percent Change (B)

Total Proposed Spending

$230,887,373.00

$238,749,835.00

3.41%

Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy, Including Tax Levy to Support Library Debt1

$134,077,473.00

$4,846,354.00

$5,240,304.00

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

$131,237,731.00

$130,165,336.00

School Tax Levy Limit2

$136,084,084.00

$135,405,639.00

Difference (positive value requires 60.0% voter approval)

$(4,846,353.00)

$(5,240,303.00)

8,234.00

8,275.00

Permissible Exclusions to the School Tax Levy Limit

Public School Enrollment Consumer Price Index

0.50% 0.12%

1 All proposed levies should exclude any prior year reserve for excess tax levy, including interest. 2 For 2015-16, excludes any carryover from 2014-15 and excludes any tax levy for library debt or prior year reserve for excess tax levy, including interest. Actual 2015-16 (D)

Adjusted Restricted Fund Balance

Estimated 2016-17 (E)

$13,011,414

$16,756,573

Assigned Appropriated Fund Balance

$2,044,893

$2,576,554

Adjusted Unrestricted Fund Balance

$9,041,582

$7,451,834

3.12%

Adjusted Unrestricted Fund Balance as a Percent of the Total Budget

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2016

2016-17 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

Budget Adopted for the 201516 School Year

Budget Proposed for the 201617 School Year

Contingency Budget for the 2016-17 School Year*

$ 230,887,373

$ 238,749,835

$236,619,835

$ 7,862,461

$5,732,462

Percentage Increase/Decrease in Proposed Budget

3.41%

2.48%

Change in the Consumer Price Index

0.12%

Total Budgeted Amount, Not Including Separate Propositions Increase/Decrease for the 2016-17 School Year

A. Proposed Levy to Support the Total Budgeted Amount, Net of Reserve

$ 134,077,473

B. Levy to Support Library Debt, if Applicable

C. Levy for Non-Excludable Propositions, if Applicable **

D. Total Tax Cap Reserve Amount Used to Reduce Current Year Levy

$ 134,077,473

$4,846,354

$4,824,338

G. School Tax Levy Limit, Excluding Levy for Permissible Exclusions

$131,237,731

$129,615,302

H. Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy, Excluding Levy to Support Library Debt and/or Permissible Exclusions (E – B – F + D)

$129,231,119

$129,253,135

$ 2,006,612

$362,167

Administrative component

$ 20,970,075

$ 22,632,624

$ 20,920,075

Program component

$172,290,982

$177,815,399

$177,341,399

Capital component

$37,626,316

$38,301,812

$38,143,412

E. Total Proposed School Year Tax Levy (A + B + C - D) F. Total Permissible Exclusions

I. Difference: G – H (Negative Value Requires 60.0% Voter Approval – See Note Below Regarding Separate Propositions) **

$ 131,947,474

*Provide a statement of assumptions made in projecting a contingency budget for the 2016-17 school year, should the proposed budget be defeated pursuant to Section 2023 of the Education Law. From the proposed 2016-17 budget, remove all non-contingent items: equipment purchases for information technology, buildings & grounds, classroom furniture, computer assisted instruction, guidance equipment, PPS equipment, as well as transfer to capital. The amount of the Administrative component at as a percentage of the total of both of the Administrative and Program components in the contingent budget is greater than the percentage of the Administrative component in 2015-16. This will require additional adjustments and reductions in the Administrative and Program components to maintain the percentage from 2015-2016. The tax levy required will be 131,947,474. ** List Separate Propositions that are not included in the Total Budgeted Amount: (Tax Levy associated with educational or transportation services propositions are not eligible for exclusion and may affect voter approval

Description

Amount

NOTE: Please submit an electronic version (Word or PDF) of this completed form to: emscmgts@nysed.gov Estimated Basic STAR Exemption Savings¹

Under the Budget Proposed for the 2016-17 School Year $ 2,239

The annual budget vote for the fiscal year 2016-2017 by the qualified voters of the Mount Vernon City School District, Westchester County, New York, will be held at SEE BACK PAGE school(s) in said district on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at between the hours of __7:00am and __9:00pm, prevailing time in the SEE BACK PAGE school(s), at which time the polls will be opened to vote by voting ballot or machine. 1

The 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 proposed budget, which goes before voters on May 17, includes: • Creation of six new English native learner positions • Creation of six new special education teachers • Continuation of the beautification program at five elementary schools and Mandela High School • Expansion of the middle school sports program to include wrestling, volleyball and softball • Introduction of transportation for Mandela students to allow them to attend Mount Vernon High School for career and technical education (CTE) programs

• Introduction of Special Olympics program for special education students and to reinforce the importance of community service to those supporting the program • Realization of an oil cost-savings of 95 percent over the previous year, due to the district’s energy performance contract (EPC) • Realization of an electric cost-savings of 35 percent over the previous year, due to the district’s EPC • Acquisition of new financial software to modernize and create greater efficiencies for payroll and human resources • Acquisition of a new identification card system for students and staff

Volume VIII: 2016 Bond Issue

SPECIAL ISSUE: BUDGET NOTICE 2016

2016-2017 BUDGET IN THREE PARTS Function or Account

Administration

Capital

Program

Total

TOTAL

% of Total Budget

9.48%

16.04%

74.48%

2016-17

2015-16

Dollars

Difference Percent

Board of Education

$343,600

$348,302

$(4,702)

-1.35%

Central Admin

$729,984

$681,223

$48,761

7.16%

Finance

$1,561,283

$1,383,306

$177,977

12.87%

Legal Services

$812,700

$525,000

$287,700

54.80%

Personnel

$785,476

$768,622

$16,854

2.19%

Records Management

$53,500

$6,600

$46,900

710.61%

Public Information

$179,000

$107,000

$72,000

67.29%

Operation of Plant

$10,344,053

$11,567,504

$(1,223,451)

-10.58%

Maintenance of Plant

$2,204,951

$2,483,031

$(278,080)

-11.20%

Security

$3,511,754

$3,526,172

$(14,418)

-0.41%

$3,426,844

$2,636,776

$790,068

29.96%

Other Central Serv.

$3,426,844

Insurance Prop/Liab

$1,293,000

$1,273,258

$19,742

1.55%

Judgments & Claims

$141,000

$135,000

$6,000

4.44%

County Sewer Taxes

$260,000

$ -

0.00%

Refund of Taxes

$ -

Other Special Items

$939,291

$894,904

$44,387

4.96%

Curriculum Devel.

$2,857,508

$2,656,439

$201,069

7.57%

Supervision Reg School

$5,977,711

$5,770,161

$207,550

3.60%

Supervision Special School

$1,120,403

$1,004,866

$115,537

11.50%

Other Admin Support

$208,067

$214,848

$(6,781)

-3.16%

Regular School, LEP & PSEN

$ 66,042,615

$64,216,420

$1,826,195

2.84%

Program for Special Ed

$ 46,528,114

$46,528,114

$41,190,598

$5,337,516

12.96%

Occupational Education

$1,514,381

$1,417,536

$96,845

6.83%

Special Schools & Programs

$230,509

$192,285

$38,224

19.88%

Media & Computer

$6,355,267

$5,429,126

$926,141

17.06%

Pupil Personnel Services

$10,453,507

$9,679,580

$773,927

8.00%

Extra-curricular & Interscholastic Sports

$728,227

$651,305

$76,922

11.81%

District Transportation

$149,625

$118,938

$30,687

25.80%

Contract Transportation

$7,677,000

$7,953,178

$(276,178)

-3.47%

$35,917,915

$45,465,715

$49,650,352

$(4,184,637)

-8.43% 8.28%

Employee Benefits

$3,637,257

$5,910,543

Debt Service

$12,806,511

$11,826,805

$979,706

Transfers to Capital

$1,830,000

$100,000

$1,730,000

$2,218,239

$2,218,238

0.00%

$177,815,399

$238,749,835

$230,887,373

$7,862,462

3.41%

Other Transfers 2016-17 Proposed Budget

$22,632,624

$38,301,812

How is money distributed in the budget?

Capital: 16.04%

Program: 74.48% This category includes all expense items directly attributed to the education of students. Capital: 16.04% This category includes maintenance and operations of school buildings and grounds, utilities, and debt service. Administration: 9.48% This category includes salaries and benefits for all administrative personnel, including some central office staff, as well as legal services and other central services.

Program: 74.48%

Administration: 9.48%

Mount Vernon City School District Newsletter

VOTERS APPROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT’S $108 MILLION 20/20 VISION BOND

MOUNT VERNON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS TAKE THIRD PLACE IN APP BOWL

Referendum approved by nearly 4-to-1 margin By nearly a 4-to-1 margin, Mount Vernon residents approved the Mount Vernon City School District’s $108 million 20/20 Vision bond referendum, 2,330 to 690, on March 15. “Tonight was a historic moment for this district in the most positive ways imaginable,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton. “I would like to take this opportunity to Countywide competition challenged young people to use new first thank the voters of Mount Vernon, who were so supportive technology to help aging populations. of our 20/20 Vision and this bond. I would also like to thank the many people who helped get this measure passed – including After months of hard work, the Vybe Team from Mount Mount Vernon’s clergy, realtors, elected officials, our own district Vernon High School earned third place in the 2nd Annual wide and school PTAs, as well as our district’s administrators, Westchester Smart Mobile App Development Bowl for its teachers and students. Our students will now have every possible “One Touch” app. The contest – a partnership between academic advantage to become college and career ready, to be Westchester County and Pace University’s Seidenberg School able to make a difference in the communities they will live in of Computer Science and Information Systems – challenged and even beyond because of the contributions they will make to our nation. Mount Vernon’s educational transformation students to put themselves on the “MAAP” by creating “Mobile Apps for Aging Populations.” continues into the next phase tonight.” Board of Education President Adriane G. Saunders also felt voters’ approval was a signal of tremendous forward motion in the district. “The impact of tonight’s vote cannot be underestimated,” she said. “The approval of this bond gives the children of Mount Vernon wonderful opportunities for the future. We are finally able to best position our district to fulfill its mission of providing all our children – from the preschoolers to the graduating seniors – with an exceptional, meaningful and life-changing educational experience. Thank you to all the voters and all who supported our efforts for recognizing how critical this bond passage is to the future of the children who live in this district.” Of the $108 million bond, $81 million will be covered by state aid with $27 million to be covered by taxpayers.

A panel of expert judges scored and determined the top mobile apps. Awards were given to exceptional teams who best validated form controls, such as boxes and buttons that are easy to use, appropriate to the task and provide easy navigation for the user. Winners were announced and prizes awarded during an event on April 15 at Pace University’s Pleasantville Campus. Thirty-one students from the Mount Vernon City School District participated. The following eight students from Mount Vernon High School earned the third place recognition under the direction of coaches Christopher Burnside and Jason Pritchett: • Perla Ruiz

• Alex Drepaul

• Jason Perlaza

• Fakaradin Floyd

• William Philips

• Crystal Mcfarlane

• Bryce Kennedy

• Alisa Kandhai

“We’re so proud of the excellent performance of Mount Vernon’s bright, innovative students who took part in this challenge,” said Program Coordinator Michelle Lopez. “This was an amazing opportunity to integrate technology into education and give our students hands on experience before they enter college or the workforce.” 6

Volume VIII: 2016 Bond Issue

APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS PROGRAM SUCCEEDING AT TEACHING STUDENTS WITH AUTISM IN MOUNT VERNON SCHOOLS Internationally renowned behavior analyst visits schools to monitor program development and skill development that goes beyond ensuring that these students are safe and staying in the classroom. There’s real learning going on, and it’s really nice to see.”

Vincent J. Carbone, Ed.D., a board-certified behavior analyst and CEO of the internationally renowned Carbone Clinic, toured Rebecca Turner Elementary School, Benjamin Turner Middle School and Traphagen Elementary School recently. The schools are utilizing an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program through the Carbone Clinic and educators are seeing much success in teaching students with autism spectrum disorders. The school district’s relationship with the Carbone Clinic is now in its second year and was implemented by Director of Student Services Felicia Gaon. The schools now have a total of 80 students learning through these evidence-based and research-based classroom methods. Students came into the program needing to be taught prerequisite skills for learning, such as sitting, attending to instruction and cooperating with an instructor.

Carbone was visiting the schools to ensure the Carbone Clinic is helping the district meet its intended goals for the program and to see the teachers use the skills they had learned to provide a positive learning environment for the students. “I came to see first-hand the schools and the teachers and review how we’re doing and how our consultation services are being provided,” he said. “I’m really very impressed to the point that I have colleagues who want to visit classes in the program. In the New York region, this is the classroom I’d like them to come visit.” “There are many advantages to having a program such as this in place in a school district,” Gaon said. “The program allows students with disabilities to stay in their home school communities. And, teachers can monitor the environment better than if the students were placed in a school that is outof-district, where we’d only visit two times a year.” “If I had a child with special needs, I would want them in this classroom,” Carbone said. “Of all the school districts we’re in, Mount Vernon really has a special place for me. It’s the instrumental support from administrators like Felicia Gaon, setting high expectations and giving the teachers the support to meet those expectations.”

“The students have made significant gains in these programs,” Gaon said. “These students came in with a lot of challenging behaviors and are performing wonderfully.” Students who were non-communicative now know between 50 and 80 sign-language hand signals to communicate with teachers. Students who could not sit down in a seat for more than 30 seconds are now engaged in schoolwork that involves writing, reading and counting. “These could be absolutely challenging situations but through the support of teachers, administrators and the program these students are learning necessary education skills,” Carbone said. “The emphasis here in Mount Vernon is learning

HEAR THIS STORY For an audio news report from WCBS Radio, visit: http://goo.gl/kayhYp 7

Mount Vernon City School District 165 N. Columbus Avenue Mount Vernon, NY 10552 Board of Education Adriane G. Saunders, President Serigne M.Gningue, Vice President Charmaine Fearon Rosemarie Jarosz Omar McDowell Micah J.B. McOwen Darcy Miller Wanda White Lesly Zamor

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

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

BUDGET VOTE What am I voting on? Residents are voting on a proposed $238,749,835 budget for the 2016-17 school year, which calls for a 3.41 percent spending increase from the 2015-16 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 and board candidates 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. If you are not sure whether you are properly registered, call the Senior Clerk at (914) 665-5866 or the District Clerk at (914) 665-5235. How do I register to vote? If you are not sure whether you are properly registered, call the Senior Clerk at (914) 665-5866 or the District Clerk at (914) 665-5235. You can also visit www.mtvernoncsd.org/community/budget Can I vote by absentee ballot? Absentee Ballot Applications must be submitted to the District Clerk’s Office by Tuesday, May 10, 2016 if the Absentee Ballot is to be mailed to the voter; or the day before the election on Monday, May 16, 2016 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 17, 2016.

When and where is the vote? The school budget vote will take place on Tuesday May 17, 2016 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 annual budget vote for the fiscal year 2016-17 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) • Holmes School, 195 North Columbus Ave. (EDs # 17, 25)

To find out if you’re registered and where to vote, visit www.mtvernoncsd.org/community/ budget Call the District office at (914) 665-5866 if you’re unsure where you should vote. What would happen if the budget is voted down? Statement of assumptions made in projecting a contingency budget for the 2016-17 school year should the proposed budget be defeated pursuant to Section 2023 of the Education Law. From the proposed 2016-17 budget, remove all non-contingent items: equipment purchases for information technology, buildings & grounds, classroom furniture, computer assisted instruction, guidance equipment, PPS equipment, as well as transfer to capital. The amount of the Administrative component as a percentage of the total of both of the Administrative and Program components in the contingent budget is greater than the percentage of the Administrative component in 2015-16. This will require additional adjustments and reductions in the Administrative and Program components to maintain the percentage from 2015-2016. The tax levy required will be 131,947,474. The tax levy required will be the same amount, $134,077,473, as during 2014-15 and 2015-16. For more information and for a copy of the 2016-17 school budget, visit the Board of Education or go to www.mtvernoncsd.org