Huddled against the rain, juggling umbrellas and placards, the picketers gathered at strategic spots along the route near the high school on the night of the Nov. 4 Manhasset Board of Education (BOE) meeting. Their signs read, "Teachers support bus drivers," "It's 3 p.m. which bus are your children on?" and "District is unfair to teachers and bus drivers." At the entrance to the high school Edward Vasta, president of the Manhasset Educational Association (MEA) i.e. the teachers' union, representing over 270 members, was standing with Judy Reilly, president of the Manhasset Educational Support Personnel Association (MESPA), representing over 250 bus drivers, custodians, support staff, clerical and teaching assistants. Ed Vasta said, "We are here in unity and solidarity to support each other." He also said their purpose was to oppose the district's proposal to outsource busing and therefore eliminate the positions of 35 bus drivers. MESPA was present, said Ms. Reilly, to support the teachers in securing a contract which expired June 30, and to oppose a wage freeze. This was not their first night out with the placards, they also picketed at all the open houses to draw attention, they said, to the "negative effects on children under an austerity budget." Mr. Vasta added, "the number one goal is the safe and high quality education the children deserve."

Tom Maimone, BOE president, wants it to be very clear that no decision has been reached. He issued a statement to that effect, saying, "The board has not made a commitment to outsourcing the district's transportation services. Our foremost concern is the safe transportation of our children. We are currently gathering facts regarding outsourcing in relation to continuing the district's in-house transportation department, so we will have a true comparison of the safety, costs and other variables associated with each option. The board will examine the alternatives and consider many factors before making a final decision. However, with the school budget failing twice this past spring, it has become apparent that we must explore every cost-center and determine where we can maximize savings, so we can continue to provide our students with the quality educational experience that the Manhasset community demands."

The board meeting was held in the school library and members of MEA and MESPA gathered there, too, as the community filed past into the meeting. One parent commented, prior to the meeting, that she had complained about fliers in support of the unions being handed out to children riding the buses.

The meeting drew a large crowd, standing room only, agenda items being transportation outsourcing and the auditor's report. Unfortunately due to a last minute family problem Andrew Miller, accountant, was unable to attend. He will appear at a public session meeting set for Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m. at the high school.

As the meeting began, Tom Maimone said the teachers' contract had expired and up to now negotiations had not been successful, had reached an impasse, and a "declaration of impasse" had been filed. He said the teachers are exercising their right as a union working under an expired contract. "Don't be angry or resentful of them," he said, "they are within the law."

Ellen Cuneo of the Tower Foundation presented a gift earmarked for the mathletes. The third and fourth grade mathletes program was going to be suspended and the foundation contributed to keep the program operating.

Next, William Stark, high school principal, introduced the discussion of a high tech instrument revolutionizing the way math is taught-the graphing calculator. Up until 1960 the only device available in the classroom had been a slide rule, popular since the 17th century. When Ron Labrocca, math district coordinator, stepped to the podium to discuss the evolution of the graphing calculator he quipped he "had no idea his presentation would draw such a large crowd." Around 1990 Texas Instruments, Inc. (TI) marketed a graphing calculator, a hand held device, and today most Manhasset math students have a TI 83/83+ and those students who do not own one can sign them out much the way books are signed out. There is one newer model, the TI 84/84+,that sells for about $125. Today, different sections of the Regents tests stipulate the device can be either "available" or "must have." When Ron Labrocca presented math problems that could be solved either algebraically or graphically, and illustrated, with the help of student, Matthew Meditz, how to solve them with the graphing calculator, he left most viewers in the dust. But Manhasset students begin using the device in the eighth grade, it is like having a computer in your hand, and it is revolutionizing the way math is taught because, in part, you can visualize the problem immediately.

Dr. Lawrence Bozzomo, superintendent of schools, introduced discussion of possible outsourcing of transportation. He said the district heard the community loud and clear to reduce costs elsewhere than the classroom. There is a Request For Proposal (RFP) out for bid but there is no obligation for action. Dr. Bozzomo said there is an absolute necessity to put forth a budget the community will approve and to that end the board will authorize requests for bids for outsourcing. The bids will serve as a cost comparison against existing costs. The board is in the process of forming a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) sub-committee to examine the issue and is working on the parameters. A cost benefit analysis is needed, yet the board realizes not everything comes down to money, and safety is the primary issue. Dr. Bozzomo said the board would host a community forum before any decision is made. Tom Maimone added that community issues would be evaluated and committee members would talk to parents in districts using outsourcing to gather information.

During the public comment section of the meeting St. Mary's parent, Diane Sheehan, explained that in the public school system students in the elementary and middle schools travel to different schools, while at St. Mary's they are housed at the same site. Because of the change in transportation eligibility her younger child is picked up by a bus (not full) then she drives her older child to the same location. It was explained that state mandates stipulate all children must be treated the same, and if seventh-grade students at the middle school are not eligible for bus service then neither are St. Mary's students.

All other questions and discussion during the public comment session related to outsourcing: Can we make our in-house operation more efficient? Whether you are against outsourcing or not are there other places to cut? Will the committee selected ask questions of both communities who recently turned to outsourcing and those who have used it for a longer period? Has anyone studied leasing? Has anyone analyzed how accurate the transportation report is? Could Ira Chudd, director of transportation, go through the report and put a dollar figure on the various recommendations, both those adopted and those not? What are the fixed costs? Can they be divided, part in house and part outsourced and then compare them? What will the buses bid on and what services will they provide? (It was said to make a decision the costs are necessary and to get the costs requires bids to be provided by the RFP.) Can you move a bell to keep the buses in house? Hire more drivers and decrease overtime? Safety is less of an issue in athletic runs, so is that a place to phase-in outsourcing? If transportation remains in-house doesn't the fleet require significant investment, including new buses? Anne Sabriski asked how many years the bids are locked in. It was said to get a company to bid requires a three-year contract and the district can adjust the number of routes. Her concern was that once enticed, prices would rise and years down the road the district would be held hostage.

Larry Belinsky commented that "we are still waiting for the administration and the transportation department to analyze the study." He wondered if negotiations with the union could keep transportation in house. Another said there needs to be an analysis of efficiencies in house, with a time line, and that someone needs to be responsible. Larry Belinsky said, "Let Cerini Associates do it; they are the qualified internal accounting firm we hired- they will get it done."

Mary Madden, School Community Association (SCA) president, said the SCA has extensive ability to communicate with the community via e-mail and is willing to facilitate anything the district needs. SCA sent out 600 e-mails for the superintendent's coffee. Tom Maimone requested she inform the community of the Wednesday, Nov. 10, 8 p.m. scheduled meeting at the high school regarding the auditor's report. Also, Ms. Madden said, the SCA contributed $3,000 for Halloween parties in the schools.

Dr. Bozzomo spoke of his meeting with Jerome Blocker, chairman of the Manhasset/ Great Neck EOC along with other representatives from the community and the administration. He said they discussed general issues and resolved many things and established an advisory committee that will meet regularly to discuss real or perceived issues. He characterized the meeting as very positive and cited the need to be continually vigilant.

The "green book" from the 1996 bond has been found, said Dr. Bozzomo, and identified as such, he said, by both Burton, Behrendt, and Smith of Patchogue, NY the district's architect and by Thomas and Williamson of Pittsburgh, PA consultants. It is a compilation of all projects within the district listing whether completed, and if not, listing the priority for completion. It was maintained yearly up until about 2001 when it stopped being updated. Aline Khatchadourian said a concern is that "policy was adopted that has not been maintained." She also asked who was in charge of the accounting for capital improvements. Larry Belinsky wondered where the new inventory book was. Dr. Bozzomo said the computer has a bar code and items over $500, when scanned, are inventoried. (The number can vary). Mr. Belinsky asked when gifts are received how are they accounted for, how are they added to the assets? He asked about the valuation of assets for insurance purposes, important to determine if the district is over or under insured.

Earlier, special recognition had been planned for Dr. Caluzzo, but he had not yet arrived. Upon his arrival later in the evening the presentation was made in honor of his nine years on the board of education, from 1992 to 2001.

Robert Feirsen, deputy superintendent, said he had received the demographic update from Lloyd Bishop. He also reported to the board about three other demographers for possible hire for a second opinion. Larry Belinsky asked if they use a different approach and Dr. Feirsen said all are organized around the same model. Mr. Belinsky then asked how accurate the district's demographer, Lloyd Bishop, had been and Mr. Feirsen said the industry gives a range and with Bishop the district has always fallen into the mid-range of his predictions, except for this year, which is in the higher range. The board decided to select Stanton Leggett and Associates located in Larchmont, NY for a second opinion.

The board then discussed a suggestion to support the crew team with $10,000, and rather than appropriate it, Tom Maimone directed the business department to make a proposal as to where the money would come from. Robert Feirsen commented that the SCA had been asked to help the district verify the information on file. Stan Germain, interim assistant superintendent for business, reported that soon all monthly reports would be up to date.

In the second public comment session, well after 11 p.m., Barbara Donno, past school board president, asked why a second demographer's opinion is necessary when Bishop has always been on target. We know the enrollment numbers, she said, we need to make a decision what to do with them. Tom Maimone answered that a second opinion is necessary to reassure the community the predictions are accurate because they will be asked to pay for the upgrades to accommodate a larger enrollment. Paul Early spoke next and referred to comments made by the president of the SCA in the Oct. 28 Manhasset Press regarding there not being enough materials for the education of students. He congratulated the board for requesting that funds for crew be compensated for in the budget-a first, he said.