[{"_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",6177584,"mediaKeyId","5335652-926a53dacecc844e43569d342c7e14a6","parentId",5335652,"title","Board votes to move Cecile H. Parker portrait to district offices after debate over public access","audioSeconds",179,"startMs",2292000,"endMs",2471000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5335652-926a53dacecc844e43569d342c7e14a6&start=2292&end=2471","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5335652-926a53dacecc844e43569d342c7e14a6/thumbnail_2292000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6177584/New-York/Board-votes-to-move-Cecile-H-Parker-portrait-to-district-offices-after-debate-over-public-access","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177584-8980f833ca795f7911fd5aecaf4f99dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770959667&Signature=UOyJJoUti9oFjbc7Bc7BQWw3EY4xtqj4sI7~Yo74fMT4HFGalyqNC0lVFBqsNTG3RsLx3yUoiWXvtxpfetTdO2FjKfS5i1QXwTrP-mthpduoMb75StLbrhJnefZw9~xyFvGDkkDMWcBX~oj4ohB45nohzAC2QSKDcPeEkbQGKyU7E0cScqqz07nOoOk3xnjk3tonjjjivJWGxL3Fucqhr85DA8iANKirNfMD4iYcHVM-3-PPF7iDIfCBendGxBsFUp87wIiiPlX~pix8yMWIS2pu6mOipFGup5HIDrLPInbG0UqiyWCzJZDCvW9R~0~zhxZ~CIWGkkKFbZa1JP5Yag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-09T08:54:03.257Z","article","The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education voted June 23 to relocate a portrait associated with Cecile H. Parker to the Board of Education offices.

During public comment trustees and members of the public raised questions about ownership and appropriate placement. One speaker said the portrait had been associated with Parker School and questioned moving it where it might be less visible to the public. Another trustee said the portrait had been presented to Parker School by Dr. Spruill and raised concern about moving a gift away from a public, community-accessible location.

The board approved the motion to move the portrait. A roll-call announced in public session listed Trustees Saunders, Kelly, Kerwin, White and Nzinga as voting yes; Trustees Middleton and Mitchell as voting no; Trustee Maribel and Trustee McDonough recorded abstentions.

Less-critical details: trustees said legal counsel had commented earlier about the portrait’s status during executive-session consultations; specific executive-session discussions were not disclosed in public session.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mount Vernon Board of Education Special Meeting June 23 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees voted to move a portrait associated with Cecile H. Parker to the Board of Education offices. The action prompted public questions about whether the portrait had been gifted to the district and whether the public had a role in deciding its placement.","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},6177589,"After public criticism, Mount Vernon board pulls multiple policy readings for public review",2425,180000,2605000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5335652-926a53dacecc844e43569d342c7e14a6&start=180&end=2605","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5335652-926a53dacecc844e43569d342c7e14a6/thumbnail_180000.jpg","/articles/6177589/New-York/After-public-criticism-Mount-Vernon-board-pulls-multiple-policy-readings-for-public-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177589-9a750afe748d5bfa433424d8e9cd1865/orig.mp4?Expires=1770959667&Signature=AIYmvV54WmHoLtR5GGgFLqjeXt43tG8dFC9pqssWYnC6s1Nil~CqQXSyPjsYcu39kfFl1rSqcVPJE3OXCkBsneDb8Ej9dM3a3~Qu4TFxzhTXJhP3bCZvdK2ltfljmq2R0Rj~shdeI1F1yX7oNGTDAQ28xC1oSjJJ6NfiEz7P0dnl8A8vLWW0S10IW672Nus9rJC34LfHdr7XXe-9dOZAwxrN0bZG7TZzXmOPggLMnoeZGSrbrlSRq-KHs2EZ7TUu~8K1HKPcTTG623jU~5Zl2GpwAlJ01723tTXPPllNqVbR7vaIos5H4xw4xAh04DwzMwO1HtH-6SLCo1utDppROg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A community speaker told the Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education on June 23 that the board should not waive policy readings and should give the public time to review proposed policy changes. \"If we wanna truly be transparent and want our community to be fully engaged and involved, then these policies should not be voted upon tonight,\" the speaker said.

The board responded by voting to pull a set of policy items from the agenda for additional public review. Trustees moved to pull policies listed as 9.2 through 9.12 and 9.13 through 9.24 from consideration and directed staff to post the policies on the district website ahead of the next regular meeting. Board members said the posting would allow the public an opportunity to comment and for trustees to reconsider whether to waive second readings at a future meeting.

During public comment the speaker also voiced concern about a provision that would give the board president additional discretion, arguing that no trustee should have more authority than another. Trustees discussed the matter in public session and agreed the policies should be available for review before any vote to waive readings. The board clarified the usual sequence: first reading, public comment period, then subsequent readings and possible votes.

Less-critical details: the meeting record shows multiple abstentions on motions to pull readings; the board said it would post the policies for review and allow public input prior to any final action.

","A member of the public urged trustees not to waive policy readings at the June 23 special meeting. In response the board voted to pull a set of policy readings and said the policies will be posted for public review before the next meeting.",{"_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},6177594,"Mount Vernon board approves summer hires and names Mark Raimondi interim assistant superintendent for business",485,1993000,2478000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5335652-926a53dacecc844e43569d342c7e14a6&start=1993&end=2478","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5335652-926a53dacecc844e43569d342c7e14a6/thumbnail_1993000.jpg","/articles/6177594/New-York/Mount-Vernon-board-approves-summer-hires-and-names-Mark-Raimondi-interim-assistant-superintendent-for-business","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177594-7b334b302cf5b5b3c551d7725442699c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770959667&Signature=RzGDzApHOSQJ9Q7LMDGjBbfjZ~HiAuZxLvrmizlmfILxJDf7cAz~KjIpYQ6F4ewiJOq0N5NHRdENXpUGlB98gpBEP~fJ5Geohe51UAC-EucHajKjXTkbkivtKW2DvyptddRA~WUgQZGxyxjebZaeLv2YtLGsuqDhKx8Vn2gUPpHEOG64Xzs5wwRJYwzaAhiUET7mNwRn6ww2ZhrCvxm~PFV~5DQTmPstnKLAJagXO85tx6PY0RZtGX6-KIDan-79rRD0w2Q5bB1LUU1~gkyQEovSxcetK~D7A27MFqwWkNXINRvSlul5j-qQW0KhmasrZw2h29Ny4zpgsaQADc4XDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education on June 23 approved several personnel items for the summer and named Mark Raimondi interim assistant superintendent for business, effective July 1, 2025.

Trustees voted to authorize hiring staff for districtwide summer credit-recovery registration in June 2025 and for districtwide summer credit-recovery and Regents prep programs running July 7–Aug. 14, 2025. The board also approved a leave-replacement appointment and other classified personnel actions under Human Resources.

The board then moved to appoint Mark Raimondi as interim assistant superintendent for business effective July 1, 2025. Trustees asked procedural questions during the discussion, including whether the interim appointment was \"at will\" and whether the board had access to Raimondi's interview packet or resume. The board said an interview packet exists and is available for trustees to review. A roll call recorded the vote on the interim appointment: Trustees Saunders, Kelly, Kerwin, White and Nzinga voted yes; Trustee Middleton voted no; Trustees Mitchell and McDonough recorded abstentions; Trustee Maribel voted no.

Administrators told trustees that some contracts on the agenda had been drafted earlier (one document cited a June 17 draft date) and that executive-session discussion earlier in the meeting addressed continuity questions related to the interim assignment. The board did not provide additional personnel details in public session beyond the appointment; specifics discussed in executive session were not disclosed.

Less-critical details: trustees continued to question whether documentation for temporary appointments should be attached to resolutions going forward; administrators indicated materials are on file and can be provided to trustees.

","The board authorized summer hiring for credit-recovery and prep programs, approved a leave replacement and named Mark Raimondi interim assistant superintendent for business effective July 1, 2025; trustees asked about the temporary nature of the appointment and availability of Raimondi's interview materials.",{"_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},6177599,"Mount Vernon board approves multiple 2025–26 service contracts; $1.6 million landscaping deal draws questions",538,937000,1475000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5335652-926a53dacecc844e43569d342c7e14a6&start=937&end=1475","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5335652-926a53dacecc844e43569d342c7e14a6/thumbnail_937000.jpg","/articles/6177599/New-York/Mount-Vernon-board-approves-multiple-202526-service-contracts-16-million-landscaping-deal-draws-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6177599-34d2ef71ad1468aa71fb60fbf4fbf963/orig.mp4?Expires=1770959667&Signature=lpGFegWkBb-Vpejo~CjSn4-L84-OiOJ~oumgFVfqviyyDYPpz~aqqdJ3tUSFdJMI6eQAhgimr7A7ERPXD30I3~-gPz8FHn2uRh70kRZxf-H9qh9iaBD2HCjIo7eLL9j6hsXIqS6FU4ZT5QGapirNslY5Jx6x3-ZQSQzMJ~eahK8ZnTjhku4OY8EZeQ~0EGqaoLY116R5z60skHT7zdD-BfucQ9JdWeXQ5vRZBXN3JXo1y8v6M2398atHwj2Y8mqk0xIBEjBACNWpDrD4d6KX8CmKgevp9NADZpca8me9SZ-zlsFXeB90W-QzaMtlyMnx7zptORg9w6fQoNlhitCwiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education on June 23 approved a set of contracts and service agreements for the 2025–26 school year, including awards for landscaping, computer services, food-service consulting and insurance brokerage.

Trustees approved a bid to award landscaping services (Bid No. 2025/26-02) to Felicia Work Group for the 2025–26 school year. The landscaping contract was discussed at length by trustees who asked whether the expense had been included in the district’s adopted 2025–26 budget and whether district buildings-and-grounds staff and equipment would remain in place. The board described the contract amount during discussion as about $1,600,000 and said the contractor would supply its own equipment per the bid documents.

District officials said that the buildings-and-grounds crew could not cover all required services and that outsourcing certain tasks was part of a budgeted strategy tied to workforce and cost-savings decisions made during the district’s 2025–26 budget process. Trustees asked for and were told they would receive a clearer cost comparison between the prior vendor and the new contractor. The prior vendor named in board discussion was Picture Perfect; the board said that contract had expired and the new award was the result of a competitive rebid.

The board also authorized a five-year contract with Southern Westchester BOCES for provision of computer services and renewed a data-and-network services agreement with Custom Computer Specialist Inc. Superintendent Dr. Smith said the computer-services work provides second-level engineering support and cybersecurity monitoring in addition to help-desk services provided by BOCES.

Trustees approved an RFP award for food-service consulting to HMB Consultants for 2025–26; the board said consultant fees will be paid from the district’s cafeteria fund (the \"C fund\"). The district stated the consultant is intended to provide additional oversight of the district’s food-service operations and to help the district maximize federal reimbursements and hold food-service management contractors accountable.

The board also approved a broker renewal agreement with Brown and Brown Insurance Services Inc. and an extension of the summer transportation contract. Where individual trustees asked for budget comparatives or detail on prior-year spending, administrators said they would provide the requested figures.

Less-critical details: trustees recorded several abstentions on some contract votes; administrators said the landscaping company’s scope and equipment responsibilities are set by the bid and that district equipment can be sold or auctioned if the board chooses.

","The Mount Vernon City School District Board of Education approved a package of service contracts for the 2025–26 school year, including a roughly $1.6 million landscaping contract that prompted trustee questions about budget planning, grounds staff roles and equipment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board votes to move Cecile H. Parker portrait to district offices after debate over public access

After public criticism, Mount Vernon board pulls multiple policy readings for public review

Mount Vernon board approves summer hires and names Mark Raimondi interim assistant superintendent for business

Mount Vernon board approves multiple 2025–26 service contracts; $1.6 million landscaping deal draws questions