This letter is an effort to defuse the recurring - and highly biased - Letters to the Editor regarding the proposed school bond referendum. It's high time for those of us who support the concept of a school bond to speak up and rebut these negative attacks and give the community an alternate "school" of thought. Many of us feel the administration and the board have tried (granted, with some fits and starts) to put together a comprehensive proposal, a strong case for a 6-8 Middle School and long overdue infrastructure projects and detailed answers to the myriad of questions that have been thrown at them. And we think statements like "No alternate resolutions to a possible enrollment growth have been seriously considered" and "Pertinent questions have been asked, but the factual answers are not forthcoming..." are out of line and inaccurate.

We understand the frustration of many in Manhasset who feel tapped out but these comments are unfair to those who have worked hard to construct and communicate the plan to the community and do an enormous disservice to those who may be undecided. To those of you who do support the concept of a bond, please let your voices be heard. To those of you who are on the fence, we implore: Come to upcoming Parent Council meetings and board presentations on the subject and take a secondary school tour and then decide if this bond is worthy of your support. Don't let the tirades and angry outbursts of the vocal few sway you without doing your homework.

Craig Anderson

Lucille Gaffney

Mimi Donohue

Elaine Phillips

Jim Judge

Arthur Molins

Michelle McGann