The members of the Levittown Board of Education are compelled to correct inaccurate and misleading information contained in a letter to the editor entitled, "School Board Criticism" appearing in the Dec. 18, 1998 issue of the Levittown Tribune.

In this letter the author claims that the board of education "waffled" and "failed to approve" a resolution regarding secondary school attendance zones at its Dec. 9 meeting. While the author has the right to express disagreement with the board's ultimate decision, we believe it is a disservice to the community to characterize the board's actions inaccurately. Anyone who attended the various meetings at which the secondary school attendance zone issue was discussed was aware that there had been no "waffling" by the board on this issue. It had been clear that several board members had, for weeks prior to Dec. 9, expressed their opposition to changing secondary attendance zones at this time. Further, it was clear that, at the Dec. 9 meeting, the board did not fail to approve any resolution on secondary attendance zones. Rather, as the record shows, the board soundly defeated such resolution by a resounding majority of 6-1.

The author of the letter also falsely claims that the board of education failed to defend Division Avenue High School from alleged criticism by parents affected by the proposed change in attendance zones. In fact, the board had repeatedly defended the quality of education at Division Avenue High School at the two meetings at which historical differences between our two high schools were inappropriately used by one or two parents as arguments for their opposition to the proposed changes in attendance zones. Members of the PTA also spoke in defense of Division Avenue High School, again, contrary to the claims made in the letter to the editor. The board had also requested the administration to provide a factual response to the question of differences between the high schools and this data was reviewed publicly at the Dec. 9 meeting, which reflected favorably upon Division Avenue High School. The board of education believes that the tactic of alleging divisiveness, where it does not exist, is insulting to our children and parents and needlessly harmful to the community.

The members of the Levittown Board of Education are confident they have acted responsibly on behalf of the citizens of our community by carefully identifying the issues and problems involved in secondary attendance zones, stating the facts involved, hearing public input, and judiciously weighing the alternatives. In criticizing the board for conducting its business openly in a democratic manner, the author seems to approve a more autocratic form of government, with secret meetings, no public input and uninformed assessments based on personal bias, rather than a careful consideration of the facts and of the findings and opinions of our residents. While the board welcomes input, debate and even disagreements relative to the decisions, it must object when its decisions are used as an opportunity to degrade our community by spreading false information. We would all prefer that disagreements are stated clearly and civilly.

Diane Shapiro, President

George S. Bruno Jr.

Ronald M. Kinberg

Paul J. Granger

James Moran

Michael D. Moriarity

Patricia A. Parsekian