(The following letter was read at the April 20 meeting of the Herricks School Board.)

It is now a matter of public record that I have decided against seeking another term as a trustee of the board of education. I've come to this decision after much thought and consideration.

Without question, I am happily looking forward to reclaiming so much of my free time. However, I am very apprehensive about leaving the board in the sole hands of the current group, as I believe they represent only a very select portion of the Herricks community.

The cavalier attitude toward expenditures will now have no voice of reason and opposition on the board. The students with special needs, taxpayers living on fixed incomes and many others will not be represented at the board table. These are but a few of the unfortunate realities we face. I sincerely hope that new leaders will emerge as a voice for these crucial issues. These leaders will have to be very determined and able to withstand the "politics of personal destruction" that the ruling "Herricks Aristocrats" practice with great skill and efficiency and absolutely no mercy. I hope that our community will demand an end to this elitist behavior and reject those who embrace it.

Certainly one should not have to fear personal attack and character assassination as the price of seeking a volunteer position. My family and I have suffered both at the hands of this board and administration. It is of the utmost importance that we put an end to this reprehensible behavior once and for all. Failure to do this is both morally wrong and dangerous to democracy.

Karin Filippi, Herricks School Board Trustee