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