_____________ ROCKVILLE CENTRE ____________
HERALD Cub Scouts plant butterfly bush
Banquet honors hockey players
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Vol. 37 No. 18
APRIl 30 - MAY 6, 2026
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Three people vying for two BOE seats By BRIAN KACHARABA bkacharaba@liherald.com
Three candidates are competing for two three-year terms on the Rockville Centre Board of Education, as incumbent Janet Gruner faces challengers Mary B e t h J o yc e a n d Christa Dorrego in this year’s election. The race comes as Trustee Tara Hackett has opted not to s e e k re - e l e c t i o n , bringing an end to her nine-year tenure on the board. Voters will have an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates at a forum on May 6 in the South Side High School auditorium, ahead of the May 19 election.
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Courtesy Shannon Lutz
Chess-loving third-grader Michael Lutz, 9, spoke at the april 16 Board of education meeting, voicing his support for saving teachers and programs like SteLLaR.
Hewitt third grader gives ‘stellar’ speech at meeting By AlYSSA R. GRIFFIN agriffin@liherald.com
A Jennie E. Hewitt third-grader delivered a “checkmate” moment at a Rockville Centre Board of Education meeting two weeks ago, pushing back against potential cuts to the teaching staff and student programs. One day after turning 9, Michael Lutz — a student and an avid chess player — stood before a standing-room-only crowd at the board’s April 16 meeting in the South Side High School Commons Room and urged officials to protect teachers and programs that shape students’ learning and creativity. Michael made clear that he did not want to see teachers lose their jobs or cuts to the
district’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Literacy and Research program, or STELLAR. “It helps fellow students and me express our creativity,” he said. “If there is less STELLAR, there’s less creativity in our minds.” A day earlier, Michael had celebrated his ninth birthday with a chess-themed party, complete with cups decorated with chess pieces and a black T-shirt featuring the word “Nine,” stylized with letters formed in part by chess pieces — a nod to the strategic mindset he brought to the meeting. This week, he reiterated his message to the Herald. “I don’t want teachers getting Continued on page 9
investment and a desire to apply the lessons she has learned in office. “I grew up in this town, I went to school here, I came back to raise my family here, I believe in our school system,” she said. “I’d like the chance to continue bringing that experience to help s o l ve a d i f f i c u l t problem,” she added, referring to the budget. G r u n e r, 48, described her tenure as largely positive, highlighting expanded extracurricular of ferings, additional sports teams and the introduction of universal pre-kindergarten. She also noted her efforts to move the district beyond pandemic-era challenges and inter nal divisions, emphasizing collaboration and long-term planning. The 2026-27 budget proved to be one of the most difficult issues of her tenure. Amid criticism over staffing cuts, Gruner defended her support as necessary to stabilize finances and avoid deeper challenges in the
oters will have an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates at a forum on May 6 at South Side High School.
Janet Gruner: Incumbent First elected in 2023, Gruner is seeking a second term on the board, and points to experience g ained during what she described as a challenging but productive first three years. A lifelong resident and graduate of the district, Gruner said her decision to run again is rooted in both personal
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