Unlike the past few years, this year there will be a contested election for a seat on the Manhasset Board of Education. Mr. William D'Antonio of Munsey Park, whose term expires, is running for re-election. He is being opposed by Mr. Thomas Maimone of Flower Hill.

If elected, this will be Mr. D'Antonio's third term on the board. When he first ran for the board, Mr. D'Antonio's main theme was a call for accountability from the administration and the faculty at the schools. He believes that this has been largely accomplished. "We have improved the evaluation of the professional staff," he said in an interview this week. "Administrators are visiting classes more often." This, he said, may have been the major accomplishment of former school superintendent Maria Petraglia during her seven-year tenure. "Maria made a much tighter ship," he said, " and having been done, it continues."

Mr. D'Antonio said that one of his main reasons for running for re-election is to provide a smooth transition for our new superintendent. Dr. Petraglia resigned in 1998 and Manhasset Schools have been run by an interim superintendent, Dr. Elliot Garfinkel during this school year. The board announced last month that it had selected Dr. Lawrence Bozzomo as superintendent of schools. "I want to do everything I can to help with this critical role of superintendent," Mr. D'Antonio said. Dr. Bozzomo had previously been superintendent of schools in a school district in Pittsburgh and Mr. D'Antonio said that the members of the Manhasset Board of Education visited his district where they were most impressed by Dr. Bozzomo's popularity with everyone including the chief of police, the school board, the chamber of commerce and everyone in the school district. "He was uniformly well regarded," Mr. D'Antonio said," and he has achieved a great deal in a district that doesn't have our resources."

Among the achievements of the Manhasset Public Schools during his tenure on the board, Mr. D'Antonio points to the redistricting of the elementary schools to achieve an equity in enrollment; the adding of new facilities and upgrading and modernization of old facilities through the bond issue; the appointment of a facilities director (Mr. Thomas Mohrman) and upgrading of capital budgets to maintain both the new and existing facilities; a massive infusion of computers with networking ability and the ability to do distance learning.

Still to be accomplished, in addition to helping with a smooth transition for Dr. Bozzomo, are the completion of the bond issue projects, the negotiation of new labor contracts and the solving of the parking problem at the high school. He also would like to see improved administrative and financial reports to provide clear and understandable information to the board and the public. Always a fiscal conservative, Mr. D'Antonio will continue to work to keep budget increases consistent with enrollment and general cost-of-living increases.

"The district has committed itself to higher academic standards and at the same time New York State has raised its standards. We must refocus our resources to meet these higher standards and provide extra help to those struggling students who would not otherwise be able to meet these standards."

Mr. D'Antonio and his wife, Virginia, are the parents of adult children and no longer have anyone in the school system. He pointed out that two thirds of the residents of the school district do not have children in the schools and they too deserve a voice as taxpayers.

Thomas Maimone and his wife, Joan, have one son in the middle school and two children, a son and a daughter, in elementary school. Unlike Mr. D'Antonio, who believes that Manhasset's elementary schools are among the best in the state (among the top 25, according to The New York Times), Mr. Maimone believes the elementary school curriculum is "weak, probably because of the whole language method of teaching reading." He points to a report by Dr. Sean Walmsley, which pointed out weaknesses in the language arts teaching. Mr. Maimone said, in an interview, that the schools are beginning to address this issue. "We've gone too far in not focusing on mechanics of grammar. We should have recognized grammar milestones with specific annual goals." He cited such goals as having students recognize complete sentences and use correct punctuation."I come home and see this every night," he said, adding that he believes it important for the school board to have a member whose children are in elementary school.

Mr. Maimone also believes the "secondary school is slipping." Asked why, he said: "I don't have all the answers but I know the trend must be reversed. Everyone who owns a home in Manhasset has an interest in having a top-notch school district. We should get our money's worth."

Both candidates deplore the fact that many school buses run their routes more than half empty because students do not choose to ride them. Although Mr. D'Antonio said that this is the result of a New York State mandate, Mr. Maimone believes that changes can be made. "We have to get together with other similar neighboring districts," he said. "It's a waste of resources and it causes air pollution to run half empty buses. It's wasting money and we need to attack it." Mr. Maimone believes that it may be possible to get a waiver from New York State from the mandate of supplying every student with a ride.

A current divisive issue in Manhasset is the question of mandating sports practice during certain school holidays and/or vacations. "The perception is that it's the SCA (School Community Association) against the MAAC (Manhasset Athletic Advisory Committee). It shouldn't be that way. SCA is not against athletes and MAAC is not against non-athletic students. I think a strong athletic program is important. Many students rely on their sports record to get them into college or to get a college scholarship. I think the board should hear both sides."

The candidates agree that the PRIDE survey has demonstrated a serious problem in Manhasset. Mr. Maimone said that he would like to see the new superintendent of schools address it. Both men agree that although the problem is primarily that of the parents, the school district has an important role to play.

The candidates will meet in a debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 10, in the Manhasset High School cafeteria.