Mount Vernon names new schools superintendent; last one accused of misconduct, forced out
Mount Vernon's school board unanimously appointed a new superintendent, Demario A. Strickland, at a May 14 special meeting. Strickland, who is currently interim superintendent of the Rochester City School District, is expected to start in the district July 1.
Strickland, 40, joins the district as challenges loom. Mount Vernon has seen declining enrollment over the last decade. The district is expected to see a scant 2% increase in state Foundation Aid despite serving a high-needs population.
Mount Vernon on May 20 proposed a $272.2 million budget that would increase the tax levy by 3.3%.
In his first communication with district residents, Strickland said, 'As the new superintendent, I would like to encourage everyone to come out to vote.'
Amid financial strains, district officials in April revealed that 84 teachers, teaching assistants and administrators would be laid off this summer, along with 40 civil-service employees.
Mount Vernon in 2024 was labeled a district in "significant financial stress" by the state Comptroller's Office.
About 73% of students were considered economically disadvantaged and 12% were homeless in 2023-24, according to state Education Department data. About 93% of the district's approximately 6,500 students are Black or Latino.
Meanwhile, Mount Vernon's last permanent superintendent, Waveline Bennett-Conroy, had been formally suspended in 2024 by the district amid accusations of misconduct. But the district still ended up forking out tens of thousands of dollars in pay to her. Bennett-Conroy's contract expires June 30.
Mount Vernon announced this year that three K-8 campuses would be closed over the summer because of declining enrollment and financial difficulties.
In Rochester, Strickland oversaw a school reconfiguration plan that had been laid out by the previous superintendent.
Mount Vernon Board of Education President Adriane Saunders said in a May 14 statement that Strickland was "uniquely qualified" because of his experience in urban-based schools and "his ability to create positive outcomes for students."
K. Veronica Smith, named Mount Vernon acting superintendent in February 2023, said she was looking forward to collaborating with Strickland. 'He has the experience and accomplishments to continue doing great work in Mount Vernon.'
Strickland has a doctorate in educational leadership and master's degrees in administration & supervision; curriculum and teaching; and school district leadership.
He was named acting superintendent for the Rochester city schools in 2024 and had been deputy superintendent. He had also been an administrator in the Buffalo Public Schools, a dean of students in New York City and a teacher in New York City.
'I'm very much about student outcomes," Strickland said in a district-issued statement. "Are students safe? Are they feeling seen, affirmed and valued when they come into our schools? Are teachers equipped with a guaranteed and viable curriculum that will help them be able to plan and educate our students to the greatest ability they can? I want to make sure that ZIP code doesn't define what our students are capable of.'
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Mount Vernon names new schools superintendent from Rochester, New York
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