As the community may be aware, our teaching staff is working under a collective bargaining agreement that expired on June 30, 2004. The law requires the district to keep the expired contract in effect until a new agreement is negotiated. Our teachers continue to receive their benefits and step salary increases.

While the school board began negotiations with the Manhasset Education Association, the teachers' union, well before the agreement expired, significant economic differences have yet to be resolved. As a result - and as was announced at the most recent board of education meeting - the district has filed the necessary documents to appoint a professional labor mediator to facilitate the negotiations and keep the process moving forward in a constructive manner.

We recognize the excellence of our teaching professionals and their diligent and conscientious efforts on behalf of the children of our district. Our schools, and our children, are fortunate to have such an accomplished and dedicated faculty. Throughout this process, we remain focused on the district's long-term commitment to providing an environment that is most conducive to supporting our teachers in the classrooms and instructional spaces in the schools.

We remain hopeful that this next step will be a positive one in the negotiations process. The board will keep the community apprised of significant developments.

(Ed. Note: In an effort to keep the community informed, the Manhasset Press has agreed to the publication of a periodic column by the Board of Education.)