The Board of Education of Garden City Public Schools views interscholastic athletics as an integral part of the school district's program and believes that the achievements of the many students and staff involved in athletics are a source of pride for the entire community.

The board is delighted when team and individual accomplishments are covered by the media, and it is always interested in identifying ways in which special events may be made accessible to those who cannot attend the competitions.

The board and administration were therefore quite surprised when Newsday ran an article on April 8 with the headline "Board of Education Pulls Game from MSG." The situation to which the article refers, the potential to broadcast on cable television this year's Woodstick Classic, represents the kind of event that the board believes would bring honor and recognition to the school district and would receive a warm welcome in the broad community. In fact, the board agreed to precisely the same type of coverage for the Garden City-John Jay interdivisional lacrosse game last year.

The Board of Education of Garden City Public Schools did not in any way act to "pull" or prevent the program from reaching the air. MSG changed its program choice before the contract could be finalized. To address the matter, the board has arranged for the game to be televised on Cablevision Channel 29 on April 30 at 10 p.m., thus demonstrating the board's commitment to showcasing Garden City interscholastic athletics. Newsday's article mischaracterized our actions and misrepresented the statements of our athletic director.

Robert Feirsen, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Garden City Public Schools