Mount Vernon residents question tax increase as some schools close; board explains budget process, promises follow-up on building access and Parker furniture

Mount Vernon residents used the board’s public comment period Aug. 26 to press trustees about rising school taxes, closed school buildings and restricted access to a district facility, prompting the superintendent to say the district will follow up. "My name is Sierra, and I'm here, on behalf of my grandfather ... we were just notified that it has went up again," said Sierra Noyesette Noyesette during the public comment period, referencing what she said was about a 3.3% increase and adding that her grandfather is on a fixed income. Cynthia Crenshaw told the board she had concerns about a building door that she said is locked at 11:30 a.m., furniture purchased by Parker School’s PTA, and a historical bell and photographs stored in a basement. "It's not right. If our taxes is up, why is that door downstairs closed every day at 11:30?" Crenshaw said. The board responded that the district followed the public-notice requirements for the budget. "We are obligated to hold public hearings 14 days before 7 to 14 days before the vote. The community votes on the budget for the school district," said Dr. Strickland, superintendent, adding presentations and hearings were posted and made available to the public. On the locked-door concern, Dr. Strickland said the practice developed because a downstairs security staffer previously had to cover the upstairs desk while the upstairs guard took a lunch. "At the beginning of the school year, there will be another individual that will work the late shift ... so that families that need to come in for registration or come in to speak to human resources or payroll are available," he said, and he promised to provide an update to Crenshaw personally and publicly. The superintendent also said he would follow up about Parker School furniture, telling the speaker he would provide an update in the next few days and to the public next month. No formal board action was taken on the public comments during the meeting. Trustees and staff framed the comments as matters for follow-up or for administrative channels when they involved personnel or inventory questions. The board reiterated rules for the public comment period: the board will listen but not necessarily respond immediately, and state and federal privacy laws prevent discussing individual personnel by name in that forum. The meeting closed public comment and proceeded to the superintendent’s report and other business, with trustees saying staff would return with follow-up information where needed.