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 fired, and I don’t want STELLAR being shortened,” he said. “Why would they even do that? I love doing STELLAR. It has so many fun activities. I just finished building a robot today. I was building games out of cardboard. Just too many good things.”
Michael, described by his family as exceptionally bright, has long needed more advanced academic opportunities than the district offers. There is no gifted-and-talented program or a higher-tier enrichment track, leaving students like him without consistent access to more challenging material.
For years, the district has pointed to STELLAR as a universal enrichment model. For Michael, who hopes to someday be an engineer, it has become one of the only parts of the school day when he feels fully engaged.
At the meeting, he focused on the district’s decision to reduce STELLAR from three days in a six-day cycle to two for grades three through five, along with a reduction of three faculty members from the program, saying it would limit opportunities for creativity.
“I’m so proud that he was willing to advocate for himself,” said his mother, Shannon Lutz. “And not just advocate for himself, but speak on behalf of things that he loves that he doesn’t want to see changed.”
Michael also advocated for teachers who provide additional classroom support, including Ilana King, describing how teaching assistants help students by answering questions and offering guidance.
“If you can spare her and other teachers like her, my school will be able to sustain the ability to help more students more of the time,” he told the board.
His decision to speak followed discussions at home about the district’s budget challenges. He wrote his speech by himself, focusing on the issues that mattered most to him.
“After hearing the speech he wrote himself in all of five minutes’ time,” his father, Eric Lutz said, “and seeing his delivery in front of a room full of adults, having just turned 9 the day before, I see the U.S. presidency in his future. I am so proud of Michael and him speaking up for what he believes.”
Although he was nervous beforehand, he delivered his remarks with confidence, showing a clear understanding of how policy decisions affect students.
“He knew the things that I was most upset about for him, because I know that those are things that will directly affect him,” his mother said. “He’s living in a house with a very passionate mother who is always advocating for his academics.”
Michael processes and retains information quickly, his parent’s say, often mastering concepts after limited exposure, and has shown advanced ability in math and reading. He is known for asking questions, making connections and contributing in class.
His skills extend beyond the classroom to chess, robotics, and other problem-solving challenges, and he has reached a level where he consistently defeats nearly everyone he faces in the chess club at Hewitt and in a special program called “Chess Nuts” at Sportset Kids — including teachers and family members.
His appearance at the board meeting underscored a broader message: decisions about budgets, staffing and programming directly impact students.
“The Board of Education and Superintendent [Matthew Gaven] have always been a proponent of listening to our students,” Hewitt Principal Anna McGovern wrote in an email. “Michael did a great job expressing his ideas. He should be proud of himself.”
The school did not make King available for comment.
For Michael, the focus is on maintaining the programs that spark his curiosity and the educators who make learning meaningful. Even at 9, his presentation served as a reminder that students are paying attention and understand what is at stake.
“My wish for him is that he’ll always continue on this path of being a high achiever,” Shannon Lutz said. “I just hope that with this smart brain that God has given him, that he makes an impact on the world.”
