[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6371204,"mediaKeyId","2150192-7a0a3ede8025be68d87a965fc73f861f","parentId",2150192,"title","Votes at a glance: Mount Vernon Board approves staff hires, programs and equipment transfers Jan. 21","audioSeconds",3547,"startMs",6473000,"endMs",10020000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150192-7a0a3ede8025be68d87a965fc73f861f&start=6473&end=10020","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150192-7a0a3ede8025be68d87a965fc73f861f/thumbnail_6473000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6371204/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Mount-Vernon-Board-approves-staff-hires-programs-and-equipment-transfers-Jan-21","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371204-ac5a6ed54670a5c89aedef0c861c61a2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773706041&Signature=Voq3abmpfv0y99dZpVe2W3xVbLEbSbdy-E~rGL5nDHyEHyxO0BC4BvpDFkRsikNbEAerFcXASkRcyAFK8VwE1NxaJ3RP687dKatEDUHOZSt78e~rYsH3iVdmMjvEcrtln5aAahH-MqOhWQHWssSwE~lbL8JEJTtiHzHevi3JKg6SHIoKk7ZfPpV3bMsYzZ2YK23TCUtLu-aOqiri8NOCuVoNzo9HORoSlkUbKLvVy3gPhImx1fbyp1Ca1pyrxZUZ7SF7d~nBCl58ISPNftNpXqAAzE7jRc1gNWts~5N8pd8LyJSqDsBlCldENQ-0fCIy8yjk2Iw3GD8rXuQ0mPn7XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-23T21:10:36Z","article","Mount Vernon — At its Jan. 21 meeting the Mount Vernon Board of Education approved multiple personnel resolutions, program authorizations and budget transfers. Most items were routine personnel and program authorizations tied to grant-funded work, after-school programming and summer activities; one proposed amendment to the code of conduct (student searches) was tabled for further committee review.

Votes at a glance (selected actions approved or tabled):

- 5.1 Human resources: certified appointments (motion moved and seconded; voice vote: motion carries).
- 5.2 Human resources: classified appointments (motion moved and seconded; voice vote: motion carries).
- 6.1 Authorization to hire staff for a pre-K after-school program, Jan. 27–May 29, 2025 (approved).
- 6.2 Authorization to hire staff for pre-K after-school and Saturday family workshops (approved; grant-funded).
- 6.3 Authorization to hire extended learning program evaluators for 2024–25 (approved).
- 6.4 Amendment to hourly rates for lifeguards at Mount Vernon Aquatic Facility for spring 2025 (approved; adjustment to reflect minimum wage changes).
- 6.5 Authorization to enter agreement with K12 Insight LLC for 2024–25 DTSDE (school needs) surveys (approved; contract cited in backup: $21,600).
- 6.6 Revision to the mentor program for new teachers (approved).
- 6.7 Approval to merge select athletic activities with Tuckahoe High School for 2024–25 (approved; board member abstentions noted in voice vote).
- 6.8 Mount Vernon High School senior trip to Virginia Beach (approved; paperwork notes “no cost to the district” and lists estimated per-person pricing for different occupancy levels).
- 6.9 Varsity and JV cheerleading travel to Orlando for competition (approved).
- 7.1 Approval of pupil personnel services memorandum No. 13 (approved; out-of-district placements and invoicing for special-education services included in the backup).
- 8.1 General fund transfers and purchase order increases to support roofing/materials and related repairs (approved; trustees asked for clearer building-level backup documentation going forward).
- 9.1 Second reading, revision of policy 3170 (parent and family engagement) — proceeded as a second reading (motion carried to advance the policy reading process).
- 9.2 Second reading, policy 73100.60 (amendment to code of conduct on student searches and interrogations) — motion to table the proposed amendment and send it back to the policy committee (motion to table carried; committee will return with revisions and research).

Why it matters: The approved personnel and program resolutions implement grant-funded after-school programming, evaluation work, and student activities for the current school year. The tabled policy change on student searches addresses civil liberties and operational procedures; trustees asked for additional committee work and evidence before adopting a revised policy.

Board procedure notes: Most votes were taken by voice; the transcript records “Aye” responses and several abstentions. The meeting minutes and contract/backup documents cited with each resolution will be necessary to confirm dollar amounts and vote tallies.

Ending: The board moved to executive session after the public portion of the meeting; follow-up on several agenda items (monitor appointment detail, building-level roofing lists, survey instruments) was requested by trustees.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mount Vernon Board of Education Regular Meeting January 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a series of routine human-resources actions, program authorizations and budget transfers. One proposed amendment to the student search policy was tabled for further review.","taxTitle","MOUNT VERNON SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",38455,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6371209,"Superintendent notes state monitor expected; district staff given overview of EAP benefits",100,1910000,2010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150192-7a0a3ede8025be68d87a965fc73f861f&start=1910&end=2010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150192-7a0a3ede8025be68d87a965fc73f861f/thumbnail_1910000.jpg","/articles/6371209/New-York/Superintendent-notes-state-monitor-expected-district-staff-given-overview-of-EAP-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371209-325dac0de0aa5d8e0542386b5968c0ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1773706041&Signature=ZkmlFZvSy5iDdpqgK8Fm8pnhl9C1hiwRzN9oN1h~rR8BhfWrM9cKdJaPBdVsHKyYXpsnpRJ5JB~iPaB89elOgVD7dZB1JZeoTptvuYmsTwLW3bgklTT0XfM1DyUc7hB-ocBIS6ABSwShPnXCZrmG2PNgD~Oc7untk3cUvzwIppmu8LTCu126DEU9W07OcLM-zb~oHXkFmEn-6Gsf89B4vyksPurtnMFMMH~soycOo35oH0u1bPnbyoM3vvKPxGu3vrJEMuJ4f1abanZSfmOHbNlHDMx7dlY-yVSUx~6Zu0vePZ2EvH-Wh~e1jG9zaLX5S-D1gFJc5K4rfaZhja~ylA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Vernon — Superintendent Dr. (Acting) Smith told the board on Jan. 21 that the regional education commissioner, Betty Rosa, plans to appoint a monitor to assist the district with fiscal concerns raised after recent grant and budgeting reviews.

Why it matters: A state-appointed monitor can change director-level authorities and impose oversight tied to fiscal control and corrective actions. Trustees asked for details about the monitor’s scope and timing.

The board also received a presentation about the district’s employee assistance program from Chelsea Capshaw, the program’s account manager. Capshaw described EAP services — counseling (telephonic and in-person), legal and financial consultations, digital therapy (Talkspace Go), and coaching — and said the EAP has served the district since 2019.

Capshaw told trustees the EAP is confidential except where disclosure is required by law for safety concerns, and emphasized the program covers household members and dependent children up to age 26. “Think of it as health insurance helps you with your physical well-being. Your EAP is here to help you with your emotional, your mental, as well as your professional or personal well-being,” Capshaw said.

Trustees questioned whether the EAP presentation was the right agenda item for a public board meeting and whether the district had communicated the benefit broadly to staff. Trustee Maribel asked, “How is this being communicated to our employees? Is it being done properly?” Capshaw said the vendor sends a monthly newsletter to the district’s primary contacts and provides webinars and site visits.

Superintendent’s fiscal update and follow-up: During the superintendent’s report, Smith stated Commissioner Rosa informed district leadership that a monitor would be appointed to assist with fiscal distress; the superintendent said she would follow up with written details by email. Trustee Mitchell asked for clarification about whether the monitor’s appointment was being presented to the board that night; Smith said the superintendent was reporting what the commissioner had said to her and that formal steps would be communicated later.

Ending: Trustees accepted the superintendent’s report and heard the EAP overview; several trustees asked staff to send follow-up documents (including the monitor notice and EAP distribution plan) by email.","Superintendent's report said a state monitor was expected to assist with fiscal distress; district staff heard a presentation on the employee assistance program (EAP) and trustees questioned whether the presentation was the right use of board meeting time.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6371214,"Parents, NAACP and residents fault Mount Vernon board over school closures, transparency and conduct",1574,202000,1776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2150192-7a0a3ede8025be68d87a965fc73f861f&start=202&end=1776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2150192-7a0a3ede8025be68d87a965fc73f861f/thumbnail_202000.jpg","/articles/6371214/New-York/Parents-NAACP-and-residents-fault-Mount-Vernon-board-over-school-closures-transparency-and-conduct","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6371214-c53558acd1894c8976efd92e9c484e15/orig.mp4?Expires=1773706041&Signature=ZpVVzYRXzsyQF3rQvLGI7pYzxTw27KSYg1m~7YpIOw1~fB-LuTzXIXC0Bcgf5M9o7U9VZwmBLZ-p0HkjxEH7bcg2AkK8-NDxh-U~-67BGEaCtDWYSKairJcroXlac-imKeYBaDiTVsKq1gKtpvTqvSNunt3DW0EmLCVYVMtUDhbyw94oZRud8OAvt2uWxIapYE3g1tTITEQOf7lmbI8A86BQifgk4EPMvUq~fe2FsWnD-O8w0g~bAiWkQ5jWU~z0EAqvxEAuHJbKnNkQlkF~ten--4FGoonFeGAKJG90xamJyyHTO5h01hJN4gnzrSG2Liz07mqGYyAsgiaz37liLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Vernon — Dozens of parents, community members and NAACP representatives used the public comment period at the Mount Vernon Board of Education meeting on Jan. 21 to press trustees for more transparency and community engagement after the district announced the closure of three schools.

Speakers pressed the board to explain how closures were decided and to restore trust. Janine Fertile, who identified herself as a parent of three district students, urged trustees to “take a step back and listen and reevaluate how it engages and treat its community.”

Why it matters: The board’s reorganization and school closures affect student placements, family routines and perceptions of district governance. Several speakers tied concerns about process and communication to broader distrust about district budgeting and accountability.

Parents and community members described missed outreach and breakdowns in communication. Jonathan Booker, a parent who opened his remarks quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., told trustees the closure vote was “messy and disrespectful to those it affects the most.”

Former and current PTA leaders and long-time volunteers also spoke. Cynthia Crenshaw said the board’s conduct at a recent meeting was a “total disgrace” and accused trustees of a lack of respect for the public. Erica Peterson, a Mount Vernon resident and parent, criticized campaign promises about taxes and fiscal responsibility and called some trustees “snake oil salesmen” for promises she said led to diminished services and depleted fund balance.

Representatives of the Mount Vernon branch of the NAACP also addressed the board. Bridal L. Crump read a letter alleging disruptive behavior by elected officials at an NAACP meeting and called for trustees to “reflect on how trustees engage community meetings.” Kathy Brewington, representing the local NAACP chapter, disputed claims of voting irregularities at the chapter’s meetings and urged people to join and participate in NAACP processes.

Board response and context: Board members repeatedly reminded speakers to avoid naming private individuals during public comment and said some matters must be pursued through administrative channels. At the end of the public comment period, trustees moved on to the superintendent’s report and agenda items.

What followed: Several speakers requested follow-up, and trustees acknowledged they would address specific items in later parts of the meeting or via email. The public comment segment closed before the agenda’s committee reports and resolutions.

Ending: The board did not take immediate action during public comment. Many speakers asked for further engagement, records and explanations; trustees said some follow-up would occur through staff reports and later agenda items.","At the Jan. 21 Mount Vernon Board of Education meeting parents, NAACP members and residents sharply criticized trustees over recent school closure decisions, alleged lack of community engagement and conduct at public meetings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Mount Vernon Board approves staff hires, programs and equipment transfers Jan. 21

Superintendent notes state monitor expected; district staff given overview of EAP benefits

Parents, NAACP and residents fault Mount Vernon board over school closures, transparency and conduct