What You Need To Know: Mount Vernon Patch School Election Guide

MOUNT VERNON, NY — On Tuesday, voters will get the final say on proposed school budgets and property tax levies. Here's a quick guide to understanding the choices and making your voice heard at the polls.

The proposed budget is $259,601,834, with no increase over the 2020-21 spending package and a 0.5 percent increase in the tax levy.

Candidates for three open school board seats include:

• Candice Sorensen
• Micah McOwen (incumbent)
• Darthea “Darcy” Miller (incumbent)
• Marc Stuckey
• Wanda White (incumbent)

The school board says the proposed budget will allow Mount Vernon schools to maintain current staffing rates as well as to meet state-mandated special education requirements.

SEE ALSO: Mount Vernon School District Public Budget Hearing

There are several special budget line items, including funding for programs unique to the school district:

• a new dual language kindergarten pilot program
• expand the engineering courses available through Project Lead the Way (PLTW)
• library media specialist in every school
• Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programs

Library trustee candidates on this year's ballot include:

• Vivien Salmon
• Deanna Thomas
• Ron Hood

The annual budget vote and board election will be on May 18 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Exact polling locations can be found here.