06/12/2026
Community Financial Question: How does the contingency budget impact the Mount Vernon community?
Answer: A contingency budget would have a significant impact on students, families, and the broader community because it requires the district to reduce spending and limit services.
Under a contingency budget:
-The district must reduce spending by approximately $2.8 million, resulting in program and service cuts
-All athletic programs are proposed to be eliminated, even though they are allowed under the law
-This includes modified, junior varsity, and varsity teams
-Athletics are not legally required like classroom instruction, special education, or safety services
-School facilities would no longer be free to the public, meaning programs like Saturday open swim at Mount Vernon High School would require full-cost payment or may not be available
-Student programs would be reduced or eliminated, including:
-After-school programs
-Summer programs
-Gifted & Talented program
-Career & Technical Education (CTE) expansion would be paused
-The district would implement a 5% reduction in staffing, affecting student support and services
The proposed contingency plan focuses on protecting classroom instruction, required student services, safety, and legal obligations. Because there are limited areas where reductions can be made, programs like athletics may be reduced to help close the budget gap.
Final decisions would be made by the Board of Education based on legal requirements, current cost structures, and district priorities.
