Three candidates vying for two Board of Education seats outlined their approaches to fiscal management, academic programming and long-term planning during a candidates’ forum at South Side High School.
The 90-minute event on May 6 was moderated by Ann Leiter of the Nassau County League of Women Voters and featured incumbent Janet Gruner and challengers Christa Dorrego and Mary Beth Joyce. Candidates were limited to two-minute opening and closing statements and 90-second responses to 13 questions submitted in advance by audience members.
The forum came about three weeks after the Board of Education adopted a $141.3 million 2026-27 budget that cut more than 22 teaching jobs and 40 teacher assistant positions. District officials cited rising costs, declining enrollment and long-term financial pressures as reasons for the reductions.
A modest crowd gathered in the auditorium as the candidates introduced themselves and outlined their priorities for the district. While all three focused heavily on student outcomes, each brought a different perspective on finances, academics and board oversight.
Dorrego gave the first opening statement and highlighted her involvement in the district and her background in finance. She said accountability, transparency and student-centered decision-making would guide her approach as a trustee.
“My commitment to this district is grounded in years of active engagement with the schools,” she said. “We must prioritize students first, all students.”
Gruner pointed to her experience as a current board trustee, educator and longtime district resident. She emphasized collaboration, communication and focusing on student opportunities while navigating difficult decisions.
“I still believe that students should be at the forefront of all of our decisions,” she said. “I have put in the time and done the work to learn this role.”
Joyce centered her opening remarks on financial oversight and long-term planning, citing her background in corporate finance and consulting. She said the district needs stronger fiscal discipline and sustainable budgeting practices.
“I have really done work to understand how we're financially positioned,” she said. “We need a board willing to have hard conversations every year.”
Special education was among the first major topics discussed, with all three candidates stressing the importance of student support services. Dorrego focused on ensuring IEP services are properly delivered, Gruner emphasized family communication and support systems, and Joyce highlighted long-term planning around student needs.
Fiscal responsibility remained a central theme as candidates addressed rising costs and budget priorities. Joyce called for clearer performance metrics tied to spending, Dorrego emphasized transparency and rebuilding trust, and Gruner stressed balancing financial realities with maintaining student programs and services. Explaining her financial approach, Joyce said spending decisions should be tied directly to measurable results and long-term planning.
“The spending needs to be tied to what output you want,” she said. “We need a multi-year plan, real reserve building.”
Dorrego said restoring public trust should remain a major priority for district leadership.
“I think some of that trust is lost among our community,” she said. “It’s very important to be a priority that we gain that trust back.”
Gruner said the board must consider the full student experience, including academics, mental health, school safety and extracurricular activities.
“The top priority is the student, but that encompasses so many aspects,” she said.
Candidates also discussed academic programming, including the district’s AP and IB offerings. Dorrego said both programs can coexist and meet different student needs, while Gruner said any future decisions should be based on data and community input. Joyce said participation levels, costs and outcomes should all factor into evaluating the programs.
The possibility of rezoning elementary schools and adopting a Princeton Plan-style model also drew discussion. Gruner said enrollment imbalances may require zoning changes, while Joyce described the proposal as a major structural shift requiring significant study and community input. Dorrego stressed the importance of transportation analysis, data review and transparency before any decisions are made.
Class sizes and staffing cuts also emerged as concerns, particularly for students without formal intervention plans. Dorrego said the effects of staffing changes may take time to appear, Gruner pointed to existing district intervention systems, and Joyce cited broader financial pressures affecting staffing decisions.
“We’re going to have to take very close thought in how they test these students to make sure they are keeping up with the curriculum,” Dorrego said.
When discussing changes to the district’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Literacy and Research program, or STELLAR, the candidates largely agreed that enrichment opportunities should remain a priority for elementary students, though they differed in their approaches.
The candidates agreed that enrichment opportunities such as the district’s STELLAR program should remain a priority for elementary students, though they differed on implementation. Joyce backed maintaining frequent STELLAR instruction through long-term financial planning, Dorrego emphasized small-group learning and warned staffing cuts could affect support, and Gruner said enrichment is being restructured alongside broader instructional changes focused on differentiation and critical thinking.
“Just to be clear, we are not getting rid of small group instruction,” Gruner said. “The groups will become slightly bigger.”
In their closing statements, the candidates again emphasized different priorities moving forward. Joyce focused on long-term financial planning and reserve building, Gruner highlighted her experience expanding opportunities for students, and Dorrego stressed communication, accountability and collaboration.
After the forum, several residents reflected on the discussion, with many focusing on the district’s financial outlook and the impact of the current budget situation.
One male attendee, who declined to give his name, said all three candidates appeared focused on balancing finances while protecting student programs.
“It was clear to me that they all have some consistent themes around long-term planning for our finances, addressing the current budget gap, while trying to maintain and improve programming as best we can,” he said.
Another resident, Theodora Moscatelli, said she still has concerns about how the district reached its current financial position and remains undecided about the election.
“There’s still no answers about how they got in this hole,” she said.
The district budget vote and Board of Education election will take place May 19 from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the South Side High School gymnasium.
