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South Orangetown school-board candidates emphasize special-education supports, student safety and fiscal scrutiny at forum
Summary
At a candidates forum, Tracy Hallahan and Denise Estrejardin outlined priorities including stronger early-language instruction, expanded high-school supports for students with special needs, mental-health safe spaces, teacher-driven professional development and closer budget review ahead of the Dec. 16 vote.
Tracy Hallahan and Denise Estrejardin, candidates for the South Orangetown Central School District Board of Education, appeared at a moderated candidates forum to outline priorities on academic supports, student safety and district finances ahead of the Dec. 16 election.
Both candidates said they would prioritize support for students with special needs and stronger teacher input on professional development. Denise Estrejardin, a retired elementary-school principal, pointed to recent assessment improvements and argued for earlier language instruction, saying the district should introduce second-language exposure in elementary grades to give students a head start. “The cohort last year increased on ELA by 14%, grade 5 increased by 26% in ELA, and then grade 4 in math, they both increased 9%,”…
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