[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6346732,"mediaKeyId","2246558-fd1921886a18c638bf10eb0fe4aa942f","parentId",2246558,"title","Board approves personnel, budget and routine motions Feb. 4; enters executive session","audioSeconds",754,"startMs",6822000,"endMs",7576000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246558-fd1921886a18c638bf10eb0fe4aa942f&start=6822&end=7576","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246558-fd1921886a18c638bf10eb0fe4aa942f/thumbnail_6822000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346732/New-York/Board-approves-personnel-budget-and-routine-motions-Feb-4-enters-executive-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346732-6ef7d3af45983caea4e5d30b92f9280f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775910740&Signature=BOcz6mk2laGWGYPl5DbxjaNqojmXZW9HJW8UsnI6U9S2fcEJww6ykBsGRP-JKBxiNizDEZoZZqq4mN9KAbECaDLhsMYQHmMmkHTU28rjCCH9emeENKO63v1t89-LARq7shOzo-JhmqNgzUSl2tTZJ6AuQODypgtOG9~eyzopSRokwz6zhPp-BWdQ8bbFJuwgIgG~Hiel65lBX6pFVUHQhY9EP2HDJGgGxprYH7aow4lIKPXPIRDk~KRSDo0Sej-IiF5vUEMxvfWfXIGEfgyasuS~mIHLWQGBbPpzgLmSoCiQIuW0NKK1FQlyn2a-9M09ZpSzeY0oRhwpwNjGWL~VVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-05T17:32:53Z","article","The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education voted on multiple routine resolutions during the Feb. 4 meeting. The actions were handled by voice votes; the meeting transcript does not show roll-call tallies by individual names. Outcomes recorded in the public minutes were: approved.

Key votes and outcomes recorded in the meeting:

- 7.1 Approval of Human Resources certified personnel (Resolution 120A) — motion carried.
- 7.2 Approval of Human Resources classified personnel (Resolution 120B) — motion carried.
- 7.3 Approval of a request for a leave of absence — motion carried.
- 8.1 Authorization to hire an instructor for the Ford Automated After School Program (02/10/2025–06/09/2025) — motion carried.
- 9.1 Approval of Pupil Personnel Services memorandum No. 14 (dated 02/04/2025) — motion carried.
- 10.1 Authorization to correct resolution wording for KG & D Architects (from 09/03/2024 meeting) — motion carried.
- 11.1 Approval of treasurer's reports for November 2024 and December 2024 — motion carried; a trustee requested a future public presentation by the treasurer.
- 11.2 Approval of internal claims auditor's reports for November and December 2024 — motion carried.
- 11.3 Approval of general fund transfers dated 02/04/2025 — motion carried.
- 11.4 Authorization to appropriate general purpose aid and amend the 2024–25 budget (general purpose grant in aid, $50,000 reported) — motion carried; trustees discussed the source as a state discretionary allocation.
- 12.1 Motion to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation, personnel matters and to receive legal advice — motion carried; the board entered executive session and did not return to public session.

Notes: Where the public roll call was not recorded, the meeting secretary captured voice votes; the transcript records \"Aye\" and \"Motion carries\" after each item but does not include individual yes/no vote tallies in the public record. Several trustees asked that some materials (for example, the HYA contract and search timeline) be posted to the district website.

Why it matters: These routine approvals enable human-resources actions, financial housekeeping and the superintendent-search process to move forward. The executive-session vote closed portions of the meeting to the public for discussion of personnel and legal matters; the board indicated it would publish documents and updates as available.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mount Vernon Board of Education Regular Board Meeting February 4 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its Feb. 4 meeting the Mount Vernon Board approved a slate of routine personnel and finance resolutions, accepted internal audit reports, authorized general-fund transfers and appropriations, and voted to enter executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.","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},6346739,"Community speakers press Mount Vernon board on school closures, transparency and services",928,1904000,2832000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246558-fd1921886a18c638bf10eb0fe4aa942f&start=1904&end=2832","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246558-fd1921886a18c638bf10eb0fe4aa942f/thumbnail_1904000.jpg","/articles/6346739/New-York/Community-speakers-press-Mount-Vernon-board-on-school-closures-transparency-and-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346739-8b2ca34a677b08c7abff1cdcf6dd0cfc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775910740&Signature=aH68dksVpm5ad5BBVak3wMuOqWK-Vd7uciXxGWg~qE2W5ovB3ndNRviHOYztvyxpSA0lvfZAvU8jE7Z199ywC7wC~0t9LXxoYBWKthCakYj~SbIt2SrwKTPQTGf95xms0C06W~tD5fmJpiCY~vyZPoYL053X~UqXldoLJp76eor~SmcQIHhuJV2kMx1lydTEVohJz~Cri4WGnDYAIusRkwSw52wEGZ6oaM3~X1rTBViCD3G6Haw4LJZ8MfJE6X90Flx9970XwETdRD3fC5MXvuf4BLaRQOAjc8UKwtsK79r45DPmeNVuxBijo2mGEQhp9jEF8be0MS8NrWseVaUttg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several parents, students and community members used the Feb. 4 public-comment period to press the Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education on school closures, transparency and services.

Student and community speaker Kimberly Aguilera asked why students \"had to suffer the consequences of the decisions made by the board,\" and speakers pressed trustees for a public apology after a December town-hall exchange the student said went unanswered. Multiple trustees apologized during the meeting for the earlier handling of the student's question and urged continued participation from students and families.

Parents and community members voiced broader concerns. Chandra Booker said residents do not feel welcomed and accused the board of failing to consult families before closures. Cynthia Crenshaw criticized plans to sell school properties and urged the board to account for any petition signatures submitted by the community; she said she had heard a figure of $34,500,000 in property-sale speculation but said she was \"not sure\" of that number. Several speakers threatened rallies and petitions if the board proceeded without community involvement.

Trustee Lynn Middleton urged the board to improve transparency and to keep the full board informed of major decisions; Middleton said she had lost trust and described repeated obstacles when seeking information. Multiple trustees and the superintendent encouraged residents to use available channels — email addresses, the district clerk and public hearings — and to attend community meetings.

Separately, Superintendent Dr. Smith addressed concerns about immigration enforcement and student attendance. Smith said New York State guidance remains that schools are protected spaces and reiterated that all children ages 5 to 21 are entitled to a free public education under state law; the district said it will place a letter on the website explaining the department- and state-level guidance and legal protections.

Other issues raised during public comment and ensuing committee reports included:
- Curriculum and enrollment: Speakers and trustees discussed a downward enrollment trend and asked what the district will do to retain and attract families; trustees said curriculum and academic performance are part of that conversation.
- Facilities and health: Trustee reports noted lead-testing and ongoing maintenance work; a facilities trustee said drinking water points used by students tested clean and that noncompliant outlets were shut off pending re-testing.
- Grants and budget: The budget committee reported a projected 2% increase in foundation aid (reported as roughly $1.6 million) and noted the district's recent $15 million tax anticipation note due June 15, 2025; a trustee asked when projected savings from school closures will be published and was told a March budget report will include those estimates.

Why it matters: The public comments underscore community concern about how the board is making structural and budgetary decisions that affect schools. Trustees repeatedly invited community members to participate in surveys, forums and committee meetings and said more information would be published publicly.

The board moved to the meeting's scheduled resolutions after the public-comment period.","Multiple public commenters at the Feb. 4 Mount Vernon board meeting criticized the district's decisions to close and reconfigure schools, alleged financial motives and demanded transparency; speakers also raised language-access, curriculum and immigration concerns and received apologies and responses from trustees and the superintendent.",{"_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},6346742,"HYA outlines confidential superintendent search timeline; survey and community forum set this week",533,3133000,3666000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246558-fd1921886a18c638bf10eb0fe4aa942f&start=3133&end=3666","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246558-fd1921886a18c638bf10eb0fe4aa942f/thumbnail_3133000.jpg","/articles/6346742/New-York/HYA-outlines-confidential-superintendent-search-timeline-survey-and-community-forum-set-this-week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346742-e8ad0e5dde0a2b88a7a899d745f54378/orig.mp4?Expires=1775910740&Signature=HXAO9uS~jV3DKPi1BsFQQcThLKjRslHIO3Lahq6MG~CQ2o3M6zmv~yEozKP0CIZQUSVDzvEVqLMBz3B3q6Wl4sjqhibrHT3F93JjJiqGbSAlKu5rZOG8oFDFQjONVz3W5tft-Jjf9X5fHpkv1KeFH2UrtxstnKVDOA8J1BcsoXZy16OfK5DiOJQiSfQRud3UYTuznraDZ~Ef3XMNKinN0KhTWg4~hQ-SLutAwn7huuJDVk9zfURVg38L6I2nPyNWJKwWuWTPX5oo7TqcICnD2Qjkp2u~KVAVEEjAVnsPeq2XVBgB9roV56tLXopOJbzOMWqAn7cZ8nonZULtz3Najw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ed McCormick and Karen Larkin of Hazard, Young & Associates (HYA), the board's search consultants, described the firm’s search process and timeline at the Feb. 4 meeting and answered trustees' questions about confidentiality, advertising and background checks.

McCormick, who said HYA has conducted about 1,600 superintendent searches over 30 years, told the board the firm is now in the engagement phase: focus groups, a stakeholder survey and community forums to shape a leadership profile. Karen Larkin said the firm is asking all constituency groups to complete a survey and attend focus groups so the leadership profile reflects district priorities; she said the survey is available in English and Spanish.

HYA provided this timeline in the meeting: the stakeholder survey runs through Feb. 7; the leadership profile will be presented Feb. 13; the board will be presented a slate of candidates March 24; initial interviews are scheduled for March 29; finalist interviews April 5; and HYA targets a public announcement of the preferred candidate around April 15. McCormick said the preferred candidate would undergo a deep background check before public announcement and that the board had authorized optional background packages at the start of the search.

McCormick emphasized confidentiality during the applicant phase: focus-group and survey responses will be aggregated and reported by group, not by name, and the list of candidates will be kept confidential until the board selects finalists. He described the planned background check as comprehensive (news/social media, criminal, financial) and said the final report would be stored with the district attorney as a sensitive document.

Trustees asked several procedural questions: how advertising packages work (HYA said options range from about $600 to $6,000 and a typical package was presented for board approval), whether the search timeline and contract would be posted on the district website (HYA said the timeline and public-facing materials will be posted; trustees requested the contract be posted when finalized), and whether the deep background check would be performed \"at the will of the board\" (McCormick: board approval covers that optional expense).

Why it matters: Hiring a superintendent shapes district strategy and budgets. HYA told the board it will make reports to the full board and post process updates to a public timeline; the firm said it will not alter or sanitize stakeholder input.

The board public forum on the search was announced for the week following the meeting (HYA said the community forum would be held the next night at the district's former Homeschool facility).","Hazard, Young & Associates (HYA) told the Mount Vernon board Feb. 4 that the superintendent search will use anonymous focus groups, a stakeholder survey (open through Feb. 7), a community forum and a leadership profile; the firm plans to present a slate of candidates in late March and target a public announcement April 15.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6346748,"Mount Vernon charter review commission outlines possible governance changes, launches public survey",602,468000,1070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2246558-fd1921886a18c638bf10eb0fe4aa942f&start=468&end=1070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2246558-fd1921886a18c638bf10eb0fe4aa942f/thumbnail_468000.jpg","/articles/6346748/New-York/Mount-Vernon-charter-review-commission-outlines-possible-governance-changes-launches-public-survey","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346748-392c4741cd4a238cf817d7b6188b2e1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775910740&Signature=hWCqqLeN2zAr1VmmjDNIanlrrpCuQ39sG~Uq8qE6a8oogJAwV1QzvvShg63DqCAamB~23FRatwLethUZM-Gf3SfeTHS2GJMHyBSv18XylExTws6HjRUg4ah-0DsnIASxvMf6HWfP7FnB0B3EhCOFMllXcILVxwoXboJLG8wosANP8ytg8NqYO9a5ATpu8Z~v8bc40e8mAG1spXsiGquDf3VSxBNX~hSIH7OdxaY-ysiWCG0Y~xqV-BxRKj3z2xj-fH00kOiY-WYnzlSpELJtxT-fvDEsvl8KtiMz7HG8oPTktzi~8SVqxmOX4pRyh3yT7jDyVCArJrhNVigzy4RJCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tamela Boyd, chair of the Mount Vernon Charter Review Commission, told the school board Feb. 4 that the commission is collecting public input on possible changes to the city charter and plans to vote March 19 on which proposals to send to the ballot in November 2025.

Boyd, who said she was appointed to the 15-member commission after moving to Mount Vernon in 2023, described the charter as \"the constitution for the city\" and said the commission has split into four subcommittees looking at finance, governance and elections, human services, and public works. She named possible recommendations under consideration including moving to a city manager or chief administrative officer form of government, replacing the elected comptroller with an appointed finance professional, requiring a mandatory referendum for tax increases above the 2% state cap, formalizing planning department input in rezoning, and electing council members by wards rather than at-large.

Matt Leininger of the National Civic League, which is advising the commission, said the league helped design a short online survey the commission is using to gauge residents' priorities. Leininger reported that 35 people had taken the survey so far and that roughly two-thirds completed it; the early results show transparency and earlier resident engagement are priorities and that respondents favor regular events to talk with council members and city staff. \"There's a fair amount of...motivation for change in the charter that will make it easier for people to engage in local decision making,\" he said.

Boyd asked the board to help by publicizing the survey, hosting hearings or meetings, and encouraging residents, parents and staff to participate. She said the commission will hold public hearings after the March 19 vote, prepare a report explaining its recommendations, and — if voters approve any measures — those changes would take effect following the normal ballot and certification process. Boyd said she has not set a final survey close date but expects the commission will allow responses until roughly a week before the March 19 vote so results can be analyzed.

The presentation included a QR code and a link to the survey; Boyd said the commission is working to reach residents who lack internet access by asking the city about mailing hard-copy surveys and said she will bring printed forms to community meetings. She also said the commission has interviewed city officials and officials from other cities to inform its proposals.

Why it matters: Charter changes can alter how the city is governed, how officials are selected, and how power and accountability are distributed between residents and government. Because city decisions affect school funding and operations, Boyd told the school board the commission welcomes the district's input.

The commission contact information and the survey link will be shared on the commission's website, Boyd said.","Tamela Boyd, chair of the Mount Vernon Charter Review Commission, and a National Civic League adviser outlined proposed charter amendments, said a public survey is under way and that the commission will vote March 19 on recommendations for the November 2025 ballot.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves personnel, budget and routine motions Feb. 4; enters executive session

Community speakers press Mount Vernon board on school closures, transparency and services

HYA outlines confidential superintendent search timeline; survey and community forum set this week

Mount Vernon charter review commission outlines possible governance changes, launches public survey