In the Feb. 28 issue of the Manhasset Press, Eugene W. Garges, Jr. offers "perfectly adequate" alternatives to the school board's contemplation of constructing a new school to address increasing population.

Our purpose here is not to advocate either for or against construction of a new building, a consideration far beyond the scope of a simple letter, rather, our purpose here is to question the validity of many of Garges' "perfectly adequate" recommendations.

Garges seems unaware that public and private educational research supports the high correlation between smaller classes and better student performance. Garges may be surprised to know that many classes for those with special needs have fewer then 20 students because of state and federal mandates. Furthermore, the low student-to-teacher ratio in Manhasset is not so because of the teachers' contract, but because the Manhasset community recognizes the value of smaller classes. In spite of this, there are classes in Manhasset with enrollments approaching 30.

Garges' statistics may be erroneous, but his letter is rife with startling ignorance and mean-spiritedness. For example, among his assertions are:

* Manhasset teachers are more than adequately paid because they do not face the "terrible working conditions" or the prospect of being "beaten up" as New York City teachers do.

He fails to recognize that teachers, like physicians, are paid for their expertise, and unlike the military, they do not receive combat pay.

* Catholic schools pay teachers "a lot less," and have "much larger classes," and still have "good results."

In reality, private schools service a more narrowly defined population, enjoy more homogeneous community support for a common goal, and typically do not service students with special needs.

* "Any good teacher can handle a lot more than they are at present handling." If any teacher can handle more, any taxpayer can pay more tax. Both statements are equally specious and ridiculous.

Manhasset residents do not accept the "perfectly adequate" in their medical care, or in any other element of their lives. Any assertion that Manhasset should accept "perfectly adequate" schools is simply imperfect and inadequate.

Manhasset Education Association