LaRocco challenged for District 24 board seat

Donna LaRocco is one of the newest members of the District 24 Board of Education, surrounded by trustees who have served one, two and even three decades. She is seeking election to her second term on the board in the only opposed school race in Valley Stream this year.

But despite only three years on the board, LaRocco says she is well prepared to serve at least another three. She cites her 18 years of experience as a PTA member including a stint as president of the William L. Buck School PTA, as well as her knowledge of the community.

LaRocco said she is running for re-election because she wants to have input on how District 24 spends its money and what programs are offered for students. Her three children are all products of the school system, and her youngest two are currently in South High School. “My motivation is seeing the achievements and the positive impact we have on the community,” she said.

District 24 has many great programs, LaRocco said, including emotional intelligence and foreign language, which she wants to maintain. The board has also committed to enhancing the art program next year, she noted.

Educators in District 24 have been working hard to prepare students for the state assessments, and LaRocco said she wants to see scores rise. However, she said, the focus in classrooms can’t just be on the tests. Teachers need to find outlets for students to express themselves creatively, she explained. One of her goals is to expand the science and social studies programs.

One challenge in District 24 is a lack of space. LaRocco said enrollment is growing and in order to keep class sizes at the current level, leaders will need to find more places to teach students. District officials are currently exploring several options, she said.

The other challenge for District 24 and all schools, LaRocco said, is the new tax cap that limits how much a district can raise taxes each year. Yet, she said, as a homeowner and taxpayer, she supports developing a budget that meets the tax cap. District 24 has done that with its proposed budget, she added.