Mount Vernon City School District holds second public hearing with new state Education Department monitor
Kimberly Young Wilkins is the state monitor, and she’ll be helping with the district’s academic and financial challenges. She’ll also create a proposed financial and academic improvement plan before Nov. 1 that will be submitted to the state.
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The Mount Vernon City School District held its second public hearing with the new state Education Department monitor.
This meeting was about the academics.
"Our math scores are way behind our proficiency rates for English-Language Arts," said Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Demario Strickland.
Kimberly Young Wilkins is the state monitor, and she’ll be helping with the district’s academic and financial challenges. She’ll also create a proposed financial and academic improvement plan before Nov. 1 that will be submitted to the state.
“While there are districts that face greater academic challenges than Mount Vernon, obviously we have work to do," she said.
People at the public hearing have several concerns, including class sizes, academic scores and the plans for improvement.
They also say a state monitor should’ve been involved sooner.
“I’m sorry that she didn’t maybe come in two years ago which would’ve made a big difference in closing three different schools," says resident Kathie Brewington.
But they’re hopeful for the future.
"All of my kids went through. My kids, my grandkids and now my great grandkids are coming through so that’s why I’m so involved in this," says resident Cynthia Crenshaw. "It’s a very big challenge but I’m hoping that it will go up."
Another public hearing will take place on Aug. 5 at the district office on 165 N. Columbus Ave.
