Mount Vernon teachers, community speak out on proposed school district cuts

MOUNT VERNON - About 100 people have given public comment to the Mount Vernon School Board during its past two meetings related to proposed budget cuts that would affect numerous teachers.

The proposed cuts would mean decreased programs, decreased teacher hours, teacher reassignments, fewer paraeducators and family liaisons, and a reduction in administration and teacher support positions.

About 35 gave public comment Tuesday and 61 at the School Board's June 3 meeting.

Speakers were primarily teachers, but also included students, parents and community members. Teachers expressed concern about not being involved in the decision-making process.

Mount Vernon High School French teacher Catherine Ousselin expressed concern about reducing the number of language classes the district offers.

Ousselin said students are being advised that they don't need to take a language class unless they're going to a university.

She said that advice is harmful to students because it limits their opportunities.

Many speakers said they were concerned about cutting family liaisons - the staff that assist families that need extra support. Liaisons support bilingual and migrant families.

Several speakers expressed concern about a lack of data transparency, and said they wanted to understand the numbers and factors that resulted in the proposed cuts.

VIDEO: Mount Vernon community shares opinions on school district budget proposal

Teachers, families, students and staff share their concerns at a Mount Vernon School Board meeting Tuesday about the recent district budget proposal.

One speaker suggested the board develop a policy so teachers that will be reassigned can be properly informed, and urged the district to create a plan so students don't miss parts of their education during the transition.

Andrea Brannman, a former mariachi director at Mount Baker Middle School, said there are no teachers left that are certified to teach music at Harriet Rowley Elementary, and that music is the only area where teachers are typically more enthusiastic about large class sizes.

Brannman urged the board to prioritize keeping music teachers.

Natasha Swink, a speech-language pathologist in the district, said she's spent nine years as a speech-language pathologist and has had a career spanning two states, four districts and 15 schools.

"This year has, without a doubt, been one of the most demoralizing of my career," Swink said.

District Executive Director of Finance Jennifer Larson presented the proposed budget at Tuesday's board meeting.

Larson said the district has no ability to increase revenue to balance the budget, and that enrollment is decreasing. More budget cuts are expected over the next five years.

"As the School Board that adopts the budget, you are being asked by the state Legislature to choose between paying staff what they deserve and having programs, services and staff," Larson said during Tuesday's presentation.

The School Board plans to wait until July to adopt the district's budget, because Superintendent Victor Vergara said he plans to go over the proposed cuts and see if changes can be made.

Larson said anyone who wants to understand more specific information about the budget proposal can contact her at jlarson@mvsd320.org.

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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 5:58 PM.