An Act Of Compassion Leads To Moving Endorsement: Letter To The Editor

BEDFORD, NY — A Fox Lane graduate whose own bravery is well documented is lending her support to a Bedford Central School District Board of Education candidate who helped a student to find her voice when few were willing to listen.

The following Letter to the Editor was submitted by Lauren Close of Pound Ridge.

I am writing to support Kristine Stoker’s candidacy for BOE.

I'm a student with Autism who graduated from Fox Lane in 2021. My experience at BCSD was horrific because I was isolated and excluded. I spoke at several BOE meetings during high school about my experiences and advocated for change.

I remember speaking at a 2020 BOE meeting with other special education students. The BOE members ignored me completely, dismissed me, and didn’t show me any respect or even thank me for sharing my experience. I was nonverbal until I was 8. Going to the microphone was very intimidating for me and to be shown such disrespect and a lack of compassion from the BOE was upsetting.

That evening Kristine Stoker validated my feelings and experiences. She showed me respect and kindness after I spoke and from that day forward has always been a vocal and active supporter of special education students in this district.

This is what we need at BCSD.

Someone with the heart and compassion, knowledge and fearless advocacy for change. Kristine has firsthand knowledge as a SPED parent in the district because she also has a son with a disability. She has 3 children who have attended the district and has vast experience with the issues that need to be addressed immediately.

Please vote for Kristine Stoker with me on May 16th. Let's help all future SPED students to have an equitable experience at BCSD.

Lauren Close
Pound Ridge

This letter to the editor was submitted by a reader. The views expressed here are the author’s own.