As I conclude my second term on the Manhasset Board of Education and complete three years as its vice president, I have chosen not to seek re-election. That being said, I cannot overstate the importance of the upcoming school board election. Indeed, I think it may be the most critical election the district has held in years. With this in mind, I believe that it is vital that my colleague, Debbie Klein, be re-elected to the board and that Cindy Cardinal be elected to join her on the board. Debbie and Cindy are highly qualified and dedicated people, who, while providing leadership, will be able to work collaboratively with others for the long-term good of all students, their parents and the Manhasset community as a whole.

I have had the privilege of service on the school board with Debbie for the past three years. I have never worked with a more fair-minded, insightful, hard-working and concerned individual. Debbie fully researches and analyzes every issue, and is extremely deliberative in her decision-making process. During discussions, she presents her point of view with reasoned support, while at the same time listening to the thoughts and opinions of others. She is a tireless and selfless worker for students of all backgrounds, needs and abilities.

Sometimes people may not appreciate the powerful contribution that Debbie makes to the district because she does so in an understated style. Among her principal strengths are her ability to dissect a position, listen to others-synthesizing all the data-and then speak directly, concisely and intelligently on the issue. Because of her demeanor, she does not "grandstand" or "play to the audience." Debbie's reasoned, deliberative style makes her a most effective school board member and an invaluable asset to the school district.

Debbie has been a board leader on many critical academic issues, including ongoing curriculum review, special education, implementation of differentiated instruction and early academic intervention programs, class size limits, and staff development. She has also been a strong advocate for the district's arts and athletic programs-programs in which her children have actively participated.

Debbie has not confined her Manhasset leadership activities to the school board alone. She has served as a member of the SCA executive board and has been a leading proponent of CASA (the community-wide substance abuse program). Furthermore she has been chair of the Great Neck/Manhasset Community Childcare Partnership, working hard for those less fortunate than many of us.

I am also very pleased to support the election of Cindy Cardinal to the school board. Any newly elected school board member must be fair-minded, community oriented, a good listener and an interested learner. I believe that Cindy has all these key traits. Ivy League educated and an editor of her law school Law Review, Cindy is an experienced labor and employment law attorney. Her practice has included working with the New Rochelle School District, substantial involvement in labor negotiations, and interactions with myriad federal, state and local agencies. This excellent background will make Cindy a wonderful addition to the board, particularly as the school district enters a new round of critical union contract negotiations this coming year.

These are critical times for the Manhasset School District. We are facing a major construction project needed to address enrollment growth and related financing issues, an overcrowded situation in our schools, a shortage of athletic fields, unfunded State mandates, union contract issues, and critical decisions on curriculum. These extraordinary times require extraordinary people-people who will work hard with others in a collaborative effort to advance the interests of all. I know that Debbie Klein and Cindy Cardinal will be able to meet these challenges in a professional and intelligent way.

Please join me on June 3 in casting your vote for Debbie Klein and Cindy Cardinal.

Thomas J. Killeen