In her letter of Sept. 3, Kathi Secko states that in comparing Hicksville to similar size districts, Hicksville's student achievement statistics òquot;pale in comparison.òquot; This is not the case. In order to fully understand the statistics usually used in the press to compare school districts, all variables must be taken into consideration.

Comparing the percentage of graduates in each district who go to a four-year college is less about student ability and achievement and much more about economic factors. The astronomical cost of sending a child to a four-year college, which ranges from $10,000 to $30,000 per year, is certainly more affordable for families in affluent neighborhoods such as Syosset and Port Washington, than for families in Hicksville -- which is why, regardless of improved student achievement, you probably will not see this figure increase. However, if you look at the percentage of students who attend two-year and four-year colleges, 87 percent of Hicksville's students are going to college, which compares favorably with Farmingdale at 85 percent, Port Washington at 88 percent, and Baldwin at 94 percent.

It is interesting to note that the percentage of students receiving a regents diploma, passing the English Regents, and third-graders reading at grade level is essentially the same for the Hicksville, Farmingdale and Plainview districts, which spend in the range of $11,000 to $13,000 per pupil. It is only when you compare them to the more affluent districts of Syosset and Port Washington, which spend $16,000 and $17,000 per pupil that you see a substantial difference. Are we seeing a correlation here? It seems that student achievement has less to do with a district's superintendent's salary and much more to do with how much money it has to spend on each student.

I'm pleased to see that the high school is flying a new flag. It is unfortunate that, without the abundant resources of a district such as Syosset and Port Washington, Hicksville must often make due with certain material objects longer than it would like in order to provide for education essentials. That is reality. Money may not be the solution to every problem, but increased resources definitely make a difference and I'm sure our students would show improved scores and each school building would be able to begin every year with brand new flags, wastebaskets and such if Hicksville had an additional $5,000 per pupil to expend. Of course, this would require a huge increase in school taxes, to which most residents of Hicksville, who now enjoy the lowest school tax rate and average school tax bill of all the above mentioned districts, would surely object.

I hope to see Ms. Secko, and other interested residents, at future school board meetings, where they can learn more about planned improvements in programs and facilities and the economic realities of running a school district. Ms. Secko might be especially interested in participating in budget workshops, which help set budget priorities for the district. There are many opportunities for residents to express their concerns and have their opinions heard, and I hope more residents will take advantage of them.

Terrie Perkowski