State schools chief praises lawmakers at groundbreaking for special education building

BEACHWOOD – Tom Torlakson, state superintendent of public instruction, shared a major accomplishment Friday morning with local educators, the groundbreaking for a $1.9 million special education building on the campus of a Beachwood area elementary school.

Torlakson, state Sen. Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, and Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced, spoke briefly before ceremonial shovels of dirt were turned at Joe Stefani School on Ranchero Lane. All three were instrumental in getting state funding restored for the 5,600-square-foot special education facility.