Thank you, Mr. Boxer, for the math lesson, although it really wasn't necessary, I assure you. But, perhaps, Mr. Boxer, you could benefit from a vocabulary lesson. Break out a dictionary and reacquaint yourself with the definitions of the words "opinion," "speculate" and "possibility."

By saying I felt that the possibility existed that Mrs. Bright would have been named superintendent post-July 1 and post-search, I was stating my opinion, not fabricating a lie. I also speculated as to the outcome of a vote, post-search, that included the input of Mr. Pino and Mrs. Calabrese. By doing so, I wasn't trying to fool anyone, just realizing that people can change their minds (which would change the numbers plugged into your equation, Mr. Boxer).

I may be naive, but since I believe that when I voted for the new trustees, I voted for open-minded people who possess the capacity for compromise and who have made a commitment to the Hicksville School District as a whole and not to what might be their own personal agendas, I felt that the possibility for the title "Superintendent Maureen Bright" existed. And I based opinion and speculation on the following: Other districts on Long Island vying for superintendent talent; the possibility that once a search was completed, Mrs. Bright may have been the candidate of choice; and the idea that a district with a superintendent is a better scenario than one without.

I also speculated that a vote after July 1 (and after a search), which may have yielded the same appointment, creates a completely different atmosphere for the entire district to operate in - one in which we could see continuity and progress. I worry that an atmosphere born out of adversity will result in further apathy, dissent and animosity, resulting in the short-changing of our district's students. And, as I stated before, I hope I am wrong about that.

Now, Mr. Boxer, as to your query "Have you ever bothered looking at where this community stands academically?" - rest assured I have. It's one of the factors that convinced me to get involved and attend meetings. And while room for improvement definitely exists, I must also acknowledge the strides already accomplished in improving our test scores.

I hope that our current board and administration can put aside their hurt feelings, bruised egos and their "battle" plans (since I don't think any of them have a magic wand in their arsenals) and focus collectively, through sharing of ideas and compromise, on the continued improvement of our academic standing.

I'm sure the phrase "continued improvement" will elicit a laugh from you, Mr. Boxer, but there has been some improvement in our scores over the last few years, the most recent reflection being cited in Newsday's compilation of standings for schools across Long Island for the fourth and eighth-grade English Language Arts exams. Getting our district's students to a place that we would all be happy with will not happen overnight and cannot (and should not) be the sole responsibility of an administration and seven board members. That responsibility rests just as squarely on the shoulders of all of us as parents of these students and on all of us as taxpayers who have the ability to suggest and approve budgetary items that will give our teachers better tools with which to ply their trade.

We have done that already in the approving of the last two years' budgets which included monies for a new elementary reading series and, most recent, a new math series as well as monies needed to construct and outfit two new science labs needed to meet the New York State science standards for high school. But it can't stop there. We, as parents, have to make sure our children avail themselves, if needed, of the AIS services available and stay informed and involved in our children's education. And we need to be there in support of the teachers when, in the not too distant future, their contract will be up for negotiation.

In past letters, you, Mr. Boxer, as well as Mrs. Lawson and Mr. Tornatore, have stated that we need to return Hicksville to the excellent academic standing it once held. While I do not wish to gripe about my education, I, too, am a product of the Hicksville school system. I graduated not too long after you, Mr. Boxer, and not too long before Mr. Tornatore. So did my husband and our respective siblings. Yet, for some reason, I do not remember our schools as having a reputation for excellence. I remember knowing, as a student, that our neighboring communities had a much better reputation in that regard.

I do feel, however, that I got a good education here. And I don't agree that our current situation is as dismal as you make it out to be. Especially when I attend events like district student recognition ceremonies, scholar's dinners and scholarship teas where our students, for example, are applauded for their accomplishments in math and science Olympiad competitions and where I am fortunate enough to hear about the many academic achievements of our graduates. I am continually impressed when I hear of the many outstanding universities these graduates have been accepted to.

Is improvement still needed? Of course, and I hope that it will always be needed, in some fashion. For when we stop trying to improve ourselves, we might as well call it a day and close up shop.