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

5335652 · July 9, 2025

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Summary

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.

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.