A nonprofit after-school music program in Mount Vernon missed out on an opportunity today to purchase a new, bigger rehearsal space after the property was auctioned off to a higher bidder.

The Mount Vernon School of Music has operated out of an area in the Doles Center for about 18 months. Maureen Wilson, the director of the nonprofit after-school arts program, says the school needs more space in order to cater to more children.

Wilson says they were hoping to purchase the vacant, city-owned property on North High Street for $65,000 but the space was auctioned off at $310,000.

The school is blaming Mayor Richard Thomas.

Wilson says that the mayor blocked the deal she had with the city council, citing a conflict of interest, because he believed a member of the music school board was a former city employee.

Thomas has agreed to meet with the music school to discuss finding a new space to rehearse. The music school says it is not optimistic about the mayor's comments, but is still trying to regroup.

"We can't give up," Wilson says. "We have too many young people involved."