A Message From Mount Vernon IDA Deputy Director Sean McIntyre

A recent editorial opinion piece lambasted the city of Mount Vernon’s use of Payments In Lieu of Taxes, or PILOTs. It is an important topic to address given the debate about the state of Mount Vernon’s schools and the effort to promote development and get our economy moving forward.

As for PILOT’s, the school district has misleadingly tried to blame the Mount Vernon Industrial Development Authority (IDA) for its financial woes. The Mount Vernon City School District has been struggling for decades, and it was mismanaged until former Superintendent (and now NYS Regent) Judith Johnson instituted major reforms, which are blossoming under current Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Hamilton.

The school district collects over 60% of all local property taxes, amassing an annual budget of $257 million to educate 8,000 students. That is over a quarter billion dollars annually divided among 8,000 students, averaging out to more than $32,000 per student.

Combined with the recent $108 million in bonds the school district floated and another $44 million in energy upgrades, the Mount Vernon City School District is spending nearly half a billion dollars while yielding a graduation rate that still hoovers at 54%. I think we can agree that our students and families are entitled to a better return on their investment.

In 2009 the school district disclosed that it spent over $20 million on failed projects ranging from technology to uniforms, all while gutting afterschool programs, forcing the community to rally to raise money to fund the Mount Vernon Boys Varsity Basketball team.

The district later went on to sue the State of New York seeking over $40 million to plug massive holes in its operational budget. This was part of a joint action with other districts around the state which ultimately lost.

Now the School District has taken on the Mount Vernon IDA in a last-ditch effort to stave off the necessary budget corrections it must make.

To Mount Vernon educational leaders: If you spent as much time committed to our kids as you do in the court system, or as you do in looking for scapegoats, our school system might be a lot more respected than it currently is.

Add to that it appears that the district is also now spending our school tax money to pay for a campaign by a team of nameless, faceless bloggers to disparage the reputation of all city public officials and spread misinformation to continue a false narrative about the real situation related to its finances and management of tax dollars.

Like the bloggers, the school district attempts to prop up its claims by repeatedly using buzzwords like “conceal,” “improper,” “illegal,” “inappropriate,” “unlawful,” “wanton,” “disregard,” brazenly,” “unconscionable,” “colluding,” and “conspiring,” although the School Board makes no effort to tie its allegations to any existing statutory right.

Rather, the School throws these words around solely for effect and to create the illusion that its baseless claims have merit. It’s time to stop the nonsense and get to work. That work is teaching kids, not coming up with excuses or scape goats for its shortcomings.

Respectfully,

Sean McIntyre,

Deputy Director, Mount Vernon Industrial Development Agency