The audience was stunned, and rightly so, for at the public session meeting held on Nov. 10, called to discuss the annual audit, Tom Maimone, school board president, dropped a bomb. Lawrence E. Bozzomo, superintendent of schools, would retire as of April 30, 2005. (Please see below for Mr. Maimone's statement.) Two board members, Deborah Klein and Larry Belinsky, registered disagreement. Deborah Klein said leadership and stability are critical to our school district and during his five years at the helm Dr. Bozzomo "set high academic standards and has led the board and the administration to significantly improve all aspects of our children's education." She said the community needs to come together in support of the schools and she hoped the new superintendent would have the "requisite confidence" of the board and community "that is necessary for any superintendent to be successful." She added that "the way we do things is just as important as what we do" and that "our children are watching and learning valuable lessons by the way we conduct ourselves." The community, she hoped, would act in a "positive and collegial manner" always putting the children first. Larry Belinsky disagreed only with the departure date, believing it in the best interest of the community for Dr. Bozzomo to "fill out the school year in these times of such uncertainty." Tom Maimone responded that to be a mutual agreement a number of terms had to be negotiated, and, to have the retirement work for both sides a date was needed. Also, the budget will be adopted by April 30, although not yet voted, indicating an orderly transition. There are an abundance of superintendents on Long Island, Mr. Maimone said, many retired, who would welcome the interim position. Each member of the board then thanked Dr. Bozzomo for his service and dedication to Manhasset and wished him well.

As he does each year, Andrew Miller, district accountant, presented the annual audit, that evening covering 2003-- 04. The 40 page document was distributed to board members who then proceeded to ask questions. The questions were specific as to page and difficult to follow without a report in hand. When a resident complained Tom Maimone explained it cannot be published or distributed until the board accepts it.

Following is a sampling of but a few of the many topics discussed. The funding source or where money for the budget comes from, which is mostly property taxes. Andy Miller said about 4 cents on the dollar comes from the state. Across the Island higher property values translate into lower state aid. The single most costly item is retirement benefits. Miller said a policy in place for years is tracking the sequence of numbers of checks written. The capitalization policy must be kept up or it becomes worthless in a short time, Mr. Miller said.

Additional topics were the proper level for district fund balances, what are reserves for and how do we use them, also, what would be a low, medium and high level of reserves. A board member asked about internal controls, the segregation of services and responsibilities in the business office and wondered if there are enough people in the office to segregate the services. "No," the auditor said.

In the audit there are no "questioned costs," a good thing, Mr. Miller said, because the government claims them and you must argue for their return. He also commented that "Fair" is the highest approval rating given an audit because not every transaction is examined. As the questions subsided a resident said the discussions about the budget were the most enlightening he had heard in 10 years.

The evening's student representative, Samantha Baard, highlighted many hard earned academic and athletic achievements.

Discussion spilled over from the previous meeting as to the efficacy of hiring a different demographer for a second opinion. Dr. Bozzomo said two issues were the gross numbers and the capacity of the elementary schools. Board members were on both sides of the fence, however, the resolution passed 3-2 to approve a contract with Stanton Leggett and Associates of Larchmont, NY to provide a second opinion. Mr. Belinsky and Ms. Klein voted against the proposal.

Monetary support for the crew team was also revisited with some believing $10,000 a minimal amount for a team that has raised so much to support itself, claims around 60 participants, and has proven to be a good stepping stone to college. Others, however, would like to have a better handle on projected annual costs, causing one resident to comment that "the nose of the camel is under the tent." Larry Belinsky said it is a budgetary discipline that the money for crew should come from the athletic department.

Christine Roberts, a Munsey Park parent with a first grader, shared that a situation occurred at the school that was handled beautifully by George Singhel, interim assistant principal. Mr. Singhel had worked in the district before as assistant superintendent of curriculum, and was asked to stand in while Charles Leone, current assistant principle, undergoes surgery.

The Manhasset Board of Education and Dr. Lawrence E. Bozzomo, superintendent of the Manhasset School District, have announced an agreement by which Dr. Bozzomo will retire effective April 30, 2005, paving the way for a new superintendent to take office on July 1, 2005.

"The board appreciates Dr. Bozzomo's years of service and contributions to the Manhasset School District, and we wish him the best of luck on his future endeavors," stated Board President Thomas Maimone. "We will continue moving ahead to meet the many challenges facing the school district and community in the months to come."

Dr. Bozzomo, who is retiring after 27 years as a school superintendent, officially joined the district as superintendent on July 1, 1999. He came to Manhasset after 16 years of service as the superintendent of the North Allegheny School District in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA.

"Manhasset is a terrific community with an excellent school district," said Dr. Bozzomo. "The community deserves and needs a board and district management team working together to meet the significant challenges that lie ahead. Making this announcement now, provides the board with ample opportunity to find a new superintendent for the district. Over the next several months, I will do everything possible to ensure that there is a smooth transition, as the district and community prepares to welcome its new superintendent."

Dr. Bozzomo is entitled to certain termination benefits according to the contract he signed when he first joined the district. His decision to retire will allow the district to make reduced payments over time, as the sum payment to him will be paid as a post-retirement contribution.

The board will hire a professional search firm that will work together with the school board to conduct a national search for the district's new superintendent. As part of the process, the board will meet with the community and educational staff to solicit input on the qualifications and attributes of the next educational leader of the Manhasset School District.

Questions regarding this announcement and the search for the new superintendent can be addressed to the board during its bi-monthly public meetings. Meeting dates are publicized on the district website, www.manhasset.k12.ny.us, and also on cable channel 75.