The school board and the school administration, I'm sorry to say, continue to maintain a Dr. Murphy attitude. It was under Dr. Murphy's tenure that the Coles School was closed. The present incumbents may have made a decision to dispose of Coles School by selling it to the Schecter School or place it on the open market. The least that we can expect from our school caretakers is common sense, honesty and open discussion on any matter that has far-reaching implications.

The school board has proposed a lease extension to the Schecter School. They recently notified the lessee that the lease would not be renewed. They received a report from Chuck Bondar, a Glen Cove resident, in October, 2001. He is co-chairman of the Glen Cove School Building Condition Advisory Committee. Their official assessment will be formally presented to the board in December. Mr. Bondar has been an active participant in school affairs and he should be commended for his continuing active involvement. However, his report on the Coles School was his own view and not that of the committee.

He takes great liberty in proposing a cul-de-sac to the rear of the Coles School property with six to eight homes without conflict on the surrounding homeowners and have the Coles School torn down and replaced with an office building. First of all, the school board does not have the power of zoning. Second of all, where would parking be provided for the occupants of the office building? The Franklin Park area (where the school is located) and the Orchard have the highest density of any area in the city.

Can the Coles School be sold for commercial use without state approval?

I personally would not object to the Schecter School buying the property and upgrade the building to suit their needs. A restriction should be placed in the deed that it cannot be sold for any use but a school.

This leads to my final point. The public has not been informed or provided with any authentic data to determine the future of the Coles School as a public school. The school board and administration have placed the cart before the horse. They have not been honest to the public and continue to hide behind closed doors in executive session. They have their appraisal of the property. We do not have any demographics to study about the future population and needs of the district.

Executive sessions are held for the sale of real estate only when publicity would substantially affect the value of things. Does this apply to continued closed door meetings? The majority of school board members do not have the courage to discuss this continuing controversy with their "public be damned" attitude.

The campaign season has just ended. It seems that with the school board it's a continuing saga with constant infighting amongst the members. This does not bode well for the district. My seven children are all graduates of Glen Cove High School. Two of my grandsons are in the district. I have supported budget after budget for the benefit of all our children. I don't want the taxpayers to be taken for granted. Wake up before it's too late.

Vincent A. Suozzi

Very concerned taxpayer