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Mount Vernon City School District 2026-27 Budget: Supporting High-Need Populations

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.
Mount Vernon City School District 2026-27 Budget: Supporting High-Need Populations

The 2026-27 Mount Vernon City School District budget includes a 25% increase in special education spending for a total of approximately $40 million. Twenty-one percent of students in the District have disabilities, and 10 percent are English language learners – who also require additional services.

You can read more about the special education spending by reviewing the budget book and budget newsletter, which provide a comprehensive overview of the 2026-27 budget. The budget vote will be held from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.

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 also provides transportation services to students with disabilities when it is identified as a required service in their individualized education program. The 2026-27 budget contains $16.1 million in transportation expenses, which is an 8% decrease from last year – even with an increase of students with disabilities – due to cost saving measures taken by the District. The District also provides transportation to homeless students who are protected under the McKinney-Vento Act, with over 800 homeless students being served by the District. 

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."

 

  • Budget 26-27
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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.