Students showcase financial-literacy curriculum as district highlights student Law Day art

South Orangetown Central School District leaders used the May 19 meeting to highlight a newly introduced financial literacy curriculum and to recognize a student winner of the state Law Day art competition.

Superintendent remarks framed the 2026–27 budget around maintaining small class sizes and preserving extracurricular and summer programming while noting the district’s new curriculum initiatives. The superintendent also announced that a Tappan Zee High School senior, Elise, won first place in the New York State Courts’ 2025 Law Day art contest and that reproductions of her work will be displayed in district spaces and at local courthouses. The superintendent read the student’s artist statement to the board and public: “My artwork is inspired by the idea that America is a nation woven together by the people, laws, and shared responsibilities.”

Lindsay Richmond, who was hired last summer to lead the middle-school financial-literacy course, described a three-year progression: sixth grade focuses on foundational money concepts and budgeting (introducing the 50–30–20 rule); seventh grade centers on career exploration and reading pay stubs; and eighth grade introduces entrepreneurship and a short business-plan project. Richmond said she mapped the district curriculum against the state standards and was already covering 20 of 23 required standards for grades 6–7.

Students described class activities in their own words. Sixth grader Tierna said, “I learned how to calculate unit price,” and classmate Kylie said she learned about “opportunity cost.” Seventh graders Declan and Tommy described learning to calculate gross pay and read pay stubs. Senior students described high-school pathways: Darryl Flynn, team leader for the high-school business department, summarized three career pathways (marketing, finance/accounting, entrepreneurship) and noted alignment with the middle-school program and a forthcoming opportunity to pilot an AP business course with an employer‑endorsed credential. Senior Ronan Hunt credited career-in-finance and accounting classes for helping him consider accounting as a career.

Why it matters: District leaders said the sequence is intended to give students practical skills and clearer pathways into postsecondary options or the workforce. Board members and parents praised the program for boosting students’ confidence about college and careers.

What's next: Teachers said the district will continue to refine the curriculum and monitor alignment with state standards; the board did not take any formal action on the curriculum at this meeting.