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Mount Vernon City School District 2026-27 Budget: Enrollment Trends Impacting Budget

A bar graph in the foreground displays declining total student enrollment from 2018-2019 to 2025-2026, with a Mount Vernon City School District logo in the background.
Mount Vernon City School District 2026-27 Budget: Enrollment Trends Impacting Budget

While the Mount Vernon City School District is affected by declining enrollment – which is impacting school districts across the state – it is facing higher expenses due to special education costs that continue to grow with student need and charter school tuition obligations driven by enrollment. Approximately $17.5 million is budgeted for charter school tuition, and those students are not included in enrollment numbers. 

You can read more about the budget by reviewing the budget book and budget newsletter, which provide a comprehensive overview of the spending plan. The budget vote will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.

Across 13 schools, 75 percent of students are economically disadvantaged, 21 percent are students with disabilities, and 10 percent are English language learners – who also require additional services.

While enrollment has dropped in recent years, the number of students with disabilities and English language learners (ELL) has slightly increased. The number of students with disabilities has risen from 1,238 in 2021-22 to 1,374 in 2025-26. The number of ELL students has risen from 517 to 605 in the same time period. So even with enrollment dropping, the District still must provide adequate accommodations for these students, including teachers and class space suited for their needs. 

The District is required to provide students in self-contained classes with a classroom that is at least 770 square feet with a maximum of 8 to 12 students in order to accommodate them. General education classrooms of the same size can have a maximum of 27 students. The District also must hire at least one teaching assistant for each self-contained classroom.

The District is developing a five-year Strategic Plan that connects enrollment trends, facilities, programming, and financial sustainability. 

A bar graph in the foreground displays declining total student enrollment from 2018-2019 to 2025-2026, with a Mount Vernon City School District logo in the background.
Green bars representing student enrollment numbers for each school year from 2018 to 2026 are displayed against a white background, with the Mount Vernon City School District logo and the title "STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES" in the foreground.
Blue bars representing the number of English Language Learners from 2018-2026 stand in the foreground against a dark red background with the Mount Vernon City School District logo and the text "ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS."
Chart showing increasing charter school enrollment

 

  • Budget 26-27
A group of people are gathered outdoors at tables, with lush green trees forming the background.
Superintendent meets with community members to address budget questions and clarify financial information

Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland met with community members Wednesday evening, discussing the revised 2026-27 budget and dispelling rumors regarding District finances.  

To find answers to frequently asked community questions, you can visit our FAQ at https://www.mtvernoncsd.org/departments/business-finance/frequently-asked-questions  

The revote for the budget will be held on Tuesday, June 16, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Find your polling place at https://lh.findmypollplace.com/MtVernonCSD/  

In the foreground, a group of young people are gathered around a table, while the background shows a kitchen setting with the text "COMMUNITY QUESTION" and "What happens when the 2nd budget vote results in a 'No' vote?".
Community Financial Question: What happens if the 2nd budget vote results in a “No” vote?

If the budget is voted down a second time, the Board of Education must adopt a contingency budget for the next school year. 

Under a contingency budget: 

  • The district’s tax levy is very limited, typically staying at or below last year’s level, with no increase allowed for things like inflation or other adjustments. 

  • The district must make additional cuts to balance the budget. 

  • Some non-essential spending is restricted, such as certain equipment purchases.

In the foreground, a group of young people are gathered around a table, while the background shows a kitchen setting with ovens and other students.
Community Financial Question: Why is there a 2nd vote on the budget?

A second vote is required when the proposed school budget is not approved by voters on the first vote. 

By law, the Board of Education has two options after a failed vote: 

  • Present the same budget again, or 

  • Revise the budget and present an updated proposal 

The district chose to hold a second vote to give the community another opportunity to consider a budget that reflects feedback and adjustments made after the first vote. 

If the budget is not approved on the second vote, the district must adopt a contingency budget, and the budget cannot go back to voters again.