The New York State Comptroller's Office warned that Herricks' current $800,000 annual expenditure for the teachers' retirement system will likely nearly triple to more than $2 million in the next school year.

At a recent school board meeting a resident, reacting to the latest round of Nassau property reassessments and tax increases, called for the superintendent of schools to accept a wage freeze as part of his contract renewal thereby setting an example and a tone of moderation for upcoming contract negotiations with the Herricks Teachers Association. The superintendent emphatically rejected the suggestion. We can assume that the teachers' union will follow his lead.

The Herricks School Board announced that Herricks administrators will handle all contract negotiations with the teachers' union. The board will not have an active role - no surprise there. The current contract, which generates a $29 million annual teacher payroll, expires on June 30. (New Hyde Park/Garden City Park teachers just approved a four-year contract for a 12.85 percent increase.) The Herricks superintendent will apparently engage in collective bargaining with himself.

The Herricks school budget is scheduled to be presented at a school board meeting on Feb. 24 at 7:15 p.m. at the Herricks Community Center. Will there be budget-busting new spending initiatives? Some residents suggest there are plans for the current kindergarten/self-sustaining K Plus Program to be converted to an all-day program at taxpayer expense. Others insist that the high school track should be torn up and resurfaced with new tax dollars. Will financing for gifted/talented programs be increased by raising taxes? What about those perennial favorites - smaller class size, universal busing and the Language Immersion Program?

If the prospect of a double-digit school budget increase causes you concern, you can attend additional budget meetings on Feb. 26, March 4, March 11 (Searingtown School) and March 18. Should you be unable to attend these meetings, you can call Dr. Jack Bierwirth, Board President Peter Grisafi or Board Vice-President Christine Turner to discuss the effect that lavish salaries, bloated budgets and uncontrolled spending will have on your tax bills. They will welcome your input.

Timothy F. O'Leary