It was a pleasure to receive encouragement from Admiral Early in his letter to the editor last week. There were several items which require clarification.

Admiral Early raised the issue of follow-up on the transportation study. The board has, in fact, addressed all of the major recommendations of this study as follows:

• Reduce personnel costs - under the direction of the board the administration has restructured job responsibilities and employee practices which create inefficiency and overtime, and controls have been implemented; other issues require modification of the collective bargaining agreement;

• Discontinue contract to fuel and maintain Herricks buses - the contract was not renewed and all obligations ceased on June 30;

• Increase walking distance - secondary walking was increased to 1 and one/half miles this year;

• Consideration of outsourcing transportation - an RFP to test the concept is being prepared while legal and community aspects of outsourcing are being explored for possible implementation in September, 2005;

• Reduction of number of stops on each route - this has been implemented;

• Change bell times - this was considered but deferred.

• Improve fleet replacement planning - deferred pending outcome of outsourcing initiative;

• Relocate transportation compound - deferred pending outcome of outsourcing initiative.

The board is also cognizant of another issue raised by Admiral Early: the high costs associated with special education. The state sets the criteria for classifying a special education student. The circumstances of particular students are considered by a committee on special education ("CSE") which independently establishes the support level necessary for each child. The district must effectuate the recommendations of the CSE. When the necessary support cannot be given in our schools, the student is placed in a facility outside the district. The district is required to provide transportation and, in the case of public facilities, pay non-negotiable tuition at rates established by the state. Within a system of state-mandated services and expenses, the district continues to seek more efficient ways of providing these necessary services.

Thomas J. Maimone

President, Manhasset Board of Education