(Editor's Note: The Farmingdale School District issued a press release on this lawsuit and it was printed on page 1 of the Jan. 11 Farmingdale Observer.)

I write to you as a taxpayer of the Farmingdale School District. Approximately two-and-a-half years ago, the Farmingdale School District commenced legal actions against their former school district architect, construction manager and certain contractors for some of their work on the Woodward Parkway School and Howitt East School additions. These additions were completed in August 2001 and March 2003, respectively. This firm was the architect-of-record for more than 10 years and is highly respected by the New York State Education Department. I have been told that these legal actions have cost the taxpayers over $400,000 and that there is no end in sight.

It is my understanding that the legal actions were recommended by the superintendent of schools. The board of education approved such. It is also my understanding that the completeness of the information provided to the board of education (in making an informed decision) may be questionable. Equally disturbing is the fact that personal and professional reputations are being tarnished.

In October 1999, the voters approved a $38,544,320 bond referendum. The first project started nine months later. In addition to a small district-wide renovation/reconstruction component, additions were planned for the Albany Avenue, Saltzman East Memorial, Woodward Parkway, Northside and Howitt East schools. All plans and specifications prepared by the above architect received approvals from the architects and engineers of the New York State Education Department.

The two Woodward Parkway additions consisted of adding a total of 10 classrooms on the north and south footprints of the existing building. The two Howitt East additions consisted of adding a total of 23 classrooms, a library media center, a music instructional suite and four music practice rooms on the northeast and southeast footprints of the existing building. These were complex projects built under tight schedules. On the Woodward Parkway project, work commenced in January 2001 and was completed in August 2001. On the Howitt East project, work commenced in October 2001 and was completed in March 2003. I facilitated the cross-functional teams that built these additions. They were completed on or ahead of schedule and on or under budget. It is important to note that the students and staff of the district have occupied these additions each and every school day since September 2001 and September 2003, respectively.

As the school district's director of district-wide operations from January 2000-June 2005, I administratively supervised all capital construction, the department staff and budget as well as staffs of the custodial, maintenance, grounds and security departments. During my tenure, all capital projects were built in accordance with the approved plans and specifications. The Woodward Parkway and Howitt East additions are no different.

Stop wasting school taxpayers' money!

Edward A. Cullen