[{"_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",6231056,"mediaKeyId","3439861-718654b772264de508085f39d944bec7","parentId",3439861,"title","District previews food-service RFP opening and fields questions about late-submitted extracurricular stipends","audioSeconds",964,"startMs",2182000,"endMs",3146000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3439861-718654b772264de508085f39d944bec7&start=2182&end=3146","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3439861-718654b772264de508085f39d944bec7/thumbnail_2182000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6231056/New-York/District-previews-food-service-RFP-opening-and-fields-questions-about-late-submitted-extracurricular-stipends","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231056-df29723378de8bf866bd37859bb2afa5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116880&Signature=cPO5vTQ1koS2U3w4r-JDtka8VIDl8BSXM6Azq1IOOZhzBLutjEON9WFOUSTyuid-6vv6eVC02PyTGNUNpfwJR7SmlJJl5fmDAgYJOwm-jCTLt5OV4-0LNXLnpY177HxdpC5S4lINUrdVii53t0W4ZqvdOmMwzUzsdsJBqhCqjo~wek2Jm~Z10DoFEgZwPJ7yEJ9YjAB8PWpz9fEMooH5A3tsDyyhicq0CC6S5taQM10ibNU1yDiPfMwRI8jhj~6OlPquyXsPlWdBPjoq4Ja3Alx6yKGOduGEck7sCFdVbHkZp93Xjiw7Wca2ahhG01Xx3tKijuIhEougv0oFnWWoyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-22T04:52:09.437Z","article","District administrators reported an update on the request for proposals (RFP) for a food-service management company and answered trustees’ questions about the timing of paperwork for extracurricular stipends.

Staff said a pre-bid conference was held on May 16 that five vendors attended and toured facilities. An addendum responding to vendors’ questions was expected to be issued that evening or the following morning, and the district planned to open the RFP on May 28. A trustee asked whether Aramark was among the vendors in attendance; staff confirmed Aramark was present.

Trustees also discussed a $4,000 stipend for a yearbook advisor that appears in the teacher contract and was placed on the board agenda for payment. Trustees asked why the stipend documentation and contract attachments were presented late in the year after the advisor had already worked; administrators said paperwork arrived in the office recently and that stipends are paid once submitted. Staff said such stipends are contractual, are listed in the teachers’ contract schedule of extracurricular compensation, and are prorated if someone is appointed mid-year.

Trustees asked that principals submit stipend documentation in a timelier manner so the board can review and approve positions earlier in the school year. Administration acknowledged the need for earlier submission and said it will remind principals to provide timely paperwork and to follow the prorating rules when applicable.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mount Vernon Board of Education Regular Meeting May 20 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District staff said a food-service management company request for proposals will open May 28 after a pre-bid conference; trustees also questioned late submission of yearbook adviser stipends and asked for earlier reporting of contracted extracurricular positions.","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},6231061,"Trustees press administration on floors, rodents and broken cafeteria benches at several schools",1051,838000,1889000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3439861-718654b772264de508085f39d944bec7&start=838&end=1889","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3439861-718654b772264de508085f39d944bec7/thumbnail_838000.jpg","/articles/6231061/New-York/Trustees-press-administration-on-floors-rodents-and-broken-cafeteria-benches-at-several-schools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231061-69c4eeac547db6e0645ad90b44c25b03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116880&Signature=kizhlQ4Mf56~UMUzZDDAEiDHM~CudX1L4vQYfzlOIPdaybPmhPSL94pLNZUd3gYBaOzhKBkL7F6Ef9t1LWhYu6MbEYXHU21aO8L-ImtQTDzyCnDJGfNMg1DBeyN9AtcHaP~fXH~lkE3jd51KT6AMlVOGbgTRP2jfOyCsBCUrsVyqUUkbsPiImh8yHD13nvTAs~1hQp1FX2-D5s2BblcceekRL6xT7~wGMWaXKidNavND52gGjFr94lmdOLxtLAuLjhzk0AkSEog3ZIPka~JLovtK~69tukqwIHV-lw8FP-qoO8k92F3WbegZl7xRxEE-9QXCqP1gom-9M7HXto9xEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Trustees pressed district staff Wednesday about several facilities and maintenance concerns, including a buckled floor at Pennington that has displaced students, repeated rodent sightings at multiple sites and broken cafeteria benches, and asked for clearer records and faster remediation.

A trustee cited photos and in-person visits showing the Pennington classroom floor has been buckled for more than two months and asked for timelines and cost estimates. District staff said materials for repairs have been delivered and that the committee report describes progress; principals and custodians were asked to provide surveys of damaged cafeteria benches so the district can order replacements or reallocate resources as buildings are closed.

Trustees also reported mouse and rat activity at Graham, Parker and Williams. Administration said the district has a contracted exterminator that visits on a biweekly schedule and maintains logs; custodians can request additional targeted visits for recurring issues and the contractor provides treatment and invoices that are logged for each building.

Trustees asked for a schedule to confirm the most recent exterminator visits for the highest-risk buildings and requested a follow-up facilities committee meeting to review outstanding maintenance items. Administration said it will reschedule the facilities committee meeting for the next week and provide documentation of service logs and inventory plans for transferring usable furniture and fixtures from buildings slated for closure.

Trustees emphasized that inventorying items in closing schools should be used to supply receiving schools to avoid unnecessary purchases.","Trustees raised maintenance concerns including a buckled floor at Pennington displacing students for months, rodent sightings at Graham and other schools, and broken cafeteria seating; administration described service schedules and pledged follow-up.",{"_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},6231066,"Board details student reassignments after school closures; parents press for clearer notices and meetings",1784,1018000,2802000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3439861-718654b772264de508085f39d944bec7&start=1018&end=2802","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3439861-718654b772264de508085f39d944bec7/thumbnail_1018000.jpg","/articles/6231066/New-York/Board-details-student-reassignments-after-school-closures-parents-press-for-clearer-notices-and-meetings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231066-aab4dc6b546cd8d9103a17686600dfe9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116880&Signature=W~I-ytsV3CU8iDViss-aA7g5Wb3b6Cexc8RLMvPtFORWXJMLnBw7SNAzTQrk~162ZpxQ3yfQgatOSjTVjVUdEWlOnEjD7yfv2r16oyVv1bifLIDZXOV3vJhEYnK0tPt-KUHM~~ZkYHogUoDO2N2t55Kb8iPX2N1zFHHLYcnNBzIC4WVSG5P8Iv5hXQUKwvCjTKu9TzxY09fXWhCY~yOuKtmLm9QA8mRBgVU6NOvJK8hYz8HwgnTRnt3NwTNV6DOvEwmTrUfzS5X25xHtUuYMESl~esAHNPYBfTq4VwqLqdTLj4cqaUmqbenGYCmhYvPcC8eEOrM4IAQIH0G~M6jcrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Smith outlined the district’s plan for reassigning students after recent school closures and said a detailed mapping of where affected students will go will be posted on the district website by the next day.

Dr. Smith said seventh- and eighth-grade students from Cecil Parker and Grimes will move to Benjamin Turner (referred to as Benjamin Turner Academy in district materials). Edward Williams seventh- and eighth-grade students will move to Graham School. Mount Vernon Honor Academy seventh- and eighth-grade students, along with Lincoln students, will be assigned to Lincoln. Traphagen seventh- and eighth-grade students will join Pennington students at Pennington. Hamilton students in grades seven and eight will be sent to the Denzel Washington School for the Arts. Students from Mount Vernon Leadership Academy and Nelson Mandela in grades seven and eight will go to STEAM Academy. K–6 reassignments were listed as follows: Parker K–6 students to Benjamin Turner Academy or Rebecca Turner Academy; Mount Vernon Honor Academy K–6 students to Traphagen; and Mount Vernon Leadership Academy K–6 students to Mandela and Hamilton.

Trustees pressed for clearer and faster communications to families. A trustee asked when the mapping would appear online; Dr. Smith said the information would be posted by the next day and said district staff will attend school events such as Parker Day to answer parents’ questions. Trustees also requested that the district post the dates and locations of upcoming meetings with the incoming superintendent.

Dr. Smith also announced opportunities for families to meet the incoming superintendent, Dr. Demario Strickland: June 2 (5:30–7:30 p.m.) at Mount Vernon Honor Academy; June 18 (5:30–7:30 p.m.) at Graham School; and July 12 (11 a.m.–1 p.m.) at the Denzel Washington School for the Arts. Dr. Smith said the incoming superintendent will meet with parents, staff and community stakeholders and will schedule meetings with individual board members.

Separately during the meeting trustees asked about the state submission documenting the school reconfiguration and closure. Staff reported that the submission was made through the state portal, that once a submission is completed access via the portal is removed, and that the superintendent’s office will contact the state to request a copy or confirmation of the documents submitted so the board can review what was sent.

Trustees emphasized they want both the district’s compiled materials and the state-submitted form or attachments to be available to the board and the public where possible.","Superintendent Dr. Smith outlined where students from schools slated to close will be reassigned and announced upcoming community meetings with incoming Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland; trustees asked for website updates and direct school outreach.",{"_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},6231070,"Mount Vernon board certifies budget, election results; three trustees to begin terms July 1",138,6822000,6960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3439861-718654b772264de508085f39d944bec7&start=6822&end=6960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3439861-718654b772264de508085f39d944bec7/thumbnail_6822000.jpg","/articles/6231070/New-York/Mount-Vernon-board-certifies-budget-election-results-three-trustees-to-begin-terms-July-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231070-37c342b7afc21537561ee8db3c7101f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116880&Signature=DDv~1CDtFz-oDQwumF~4NkK3LVKKbywvA6FFRjKHGekheQUPuzIGHazxUO-2nBmwVBEI7f52BpD604gu0dJNe8rQuLk9k6FnqyjczYeMWpR5l3Kv2hJHyHft9UZmr8tjfuTiO2wVXqyvBnKMBaFYc0SKzky-~dSSKyUJIjGGk1VY8~Xm03Wy4Uiug32yQNqX8agv7PYd-SZP-rWHV1tkHazpxrgsL-KPm336fjYO-XOiiD9QcPrpnp-9Vzs7fR~jYDzSF0MHCXkx02rCQh5UtJZZaeE3utMSUx0TB57fM38xQCsVN-8N5BhnZRCwrtSy-k1hLD9W-gVFTl2WzJNf2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Vernon Board of Education certified the results of the district’s May 20 budget vote and trustee election during a reconvened public session late Wednesday, announcing that the budget passed and certifying three winning trustee candidates who will begin three-year terms on July 1.

The district announced the budget passed with 1,400 yes votes and 1,138 no votes. The board also certified the three highest vote getters for the three available trustee seats; the winners and the vote counts reported during the meeting were Sakai Brown (1,698), Bridal Peterson (1,633) and Cynthia Crenshaw (1,275). The board moved and carried a resolution to accept and certify the election and budget results.

Board certification makes the budget official for the 2025–26 fiscal year and confirms the elected trustees’ terms beginning July 1. Trustees and district leaders noted the budget’s passage will allow the district to move forward on negotiated contracts and planned services enumerated in the budget materials.

The board’s action followed a period of recess while officials awaited final results from the district’s election. After the results were read and the motion to accept them was made and seconded, the chair called the question and the resolution carried by voice vote.

No legal challenges or recounts were announced at the meeting. The board did not provide a roll-call tally of the certification motion beyond the voice vote taken at the time it was moved and seconded.

The board adjourned after certifying the results and completing final routine motions for the evening.","The Mount Vernon Board of Education certified the results of the May 20 budget vote and school board election, announcing vote counts and the three winning trustee candidates who will take office July 1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District previews food-service RFP opening and fields questions about late-submitted extracurricular stipends

Trustees press administration on floors, rodents and broken cafeteria benches at several schools

Board details student reassignments after school closures; parents press for clearer notices and meetings

Mount Vernon board certifies budget, election results; three trustees to begin terms July 1