Now that Dr. Root's contract has been extended for one more year, perhaps time will bring some perspective to the matter. As someone who attended all of the most recent board meetings, I was dismayed at the tone of the public discourse on the matter by certain members of the community. The North Shore community is a small community fortunate to have so many people concerned about the welfare of our children. While we all agree that the goal is to provide the best education possible within the resources available to the community, let us also agree that there are numerous ways to achieve that goal. Honorable people can disagree on the path with which we take to reach that goal. The person who believes the budget should increase 4.5 percent annually is no less concerned about the welfare of our children, than the person who believes that the budget should increase 6.0 percent. I believe that all of the people on the board have the best interests of our children in mind.

One may not have come to this conclusion based on the public comments by some members of the community.

"A crisis that will shake the foundations of our democratic system" was how one person described the actions of the board. In light of recent events in the greater metropolitan area, the initial decision not to renew or extend Dr. Root's contract was far from being a crisis. The Rockaway community, that has buried more than a dozen family members within the past few weeks, and will bury more, is dealing with a crisis. We are not.

Representative government can be "messy;" and in fact, is supposed to be "messy." Based on the board's recent vote to rescind their earlier decision with respect to Dr. Root's contract - whether one agrees with the decision or not - demonstrates that the democratic process works.

"Housing values will plummet because it will be difficult to find a new superintendent and administrators." While there is certainly a correlation between the quality of the school district and housing prices, interest rates and supply and demand have more to do with the housing prices than the renewal of Dr. Root's contract, or the manner in which the decision was reached.

While not to discount the importance of an effective administration, it has been my experience that most education takes place within the classroom and the home. My children have been fortunate to have had very good teachers at Glenwood Landing, under the guidance of Dr. Melnick. During parent-teacher conferences, and principal-parent conferences, I can't recall one conversation that took place where the superintendent's name was mentioned - whether that is Dr. McGuill or Dr. Root. Nor should it. Most of the best teachers in this district have tenure, and have stayed in the district during the transition from one principal to the next, and one administration to the next. I'm sure most will stay when the next administration is named in 2003.

The infamous "Gang of Four" - how sad it is to describe members of our community in such disparaging terms; and perhaps more insightful about the individual who uses such language than those to whom it is directed. While I know several of the board members personally, I know of no one on the board who can be described in such terms. Furthermore, are we to judge the integrity of any of the individuals based on this one decision, particularly when they have contributed to the welfare of the community in so many other ways?

George Pombar is a neighbor of mine, and one of the supposed "Gang of Four." I am proud to have George as a neighbor and as a board member. In the seven years that I have lived in the community, I have witnessed George's active involvement in numerous youth and young adult programs - the intent of many of these programs is to channel young people's talents in productive areas. I believe a public apology is due George and the other three members of the board for describing them in such terms.

Amongst many other things, North Shore schools teach our children the importance of vocabulary. How we frame the debate - the words and arguments that we use - is as important as the debate itself. The education of our children can be an emotional issue; but it need not be inflammatory or derogatory. Let us keep this mind as we move beyond the current "crisis."

Paul Echausse