"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants," said Jefferson. Rather ghastly, all that; can we settle for some sweat from the local Board of Education? I think we got a few bucketfuls Monday night at the information meeting, where the dog-and-pony show for a whopping $62 million bond issue was met with a Bronx cheer. Although it did have some very nice window dressing, with a consultant explaining in non-threatening terms how those polled indicated a level of discomfort with the fiscal aspects. Or more simply, another bloodletting by the taxman would be lethal.

In fact Newsday reported that New Yorkers suffer by far and away the worst local/state tax burden. It is the death of a thousand cuts that drives out the working classes. Regardless of social station, it is highly likely that Manhasset schools will experience a significant influx of students, as the trend indicates younger families replacing empty nesters, and the onset of massive new development of the Whitney properties. 500 acres of new homes, each promising to be unique with modern appurtenances.

...And isn't that what we want out of our schools, modernity and results at the top of the national chart? I'm a product of this school system and look at me, I can use big words like "appurtenances." So now we must rectify this with a community that has a large segment of those who are house-rich but not rich-rich, as well as those who rightfully see the unfairness of an ever increasing tax burden.

I couldn't help but get the feeling during the meeting that the board was asking for $62 million in hopes of getting, say, 50. After all, the last bond issue was proposed at $30 million, passed at $21.5 million. So that should be about $43 million this go round? Um, for what again? I understand the Board's argument for raising salaries to be competitive, but the fact is most of America didn't get a salary boost. Also, I just don't buy the argument that there is a strong correlation between teacher/administrator pay and performance. Manhasset schools did well before Dr. Bozzomo, and would do well with lesser priced talent, largely because of the home standards of the community. Frankly being employed by the Manhasset school system has become one sweet gig. Perhaps we need to publicly acknowledge that not all compensation is in cash, that job security and gratification are strong incentives as well, especially in this economy. At this point I'd prefer to take my chances on those motivated by other than cold hard cash.

Our expenditure is $21,000 per student- exorbitant by all standards. So when they come back with the "new and improved" bond issue, it should incorporate a moratorium on salary hikes, and a rolled back salary schedule for new hires. We already pay for the best education money can buy; we shouldn't have to bleed for it.

Dekom