Dec. 16 was the date of the school board meeting, and also the date of the high school holiday concert. Prior to the official beginning of the concert the Holiday Strings musicians were stationed just inside the front door and sounded so fantastic a crowd stood about in no hurry to go anywhere. The exquisite music filled the hallways and disbelieving spectators did their own individual head counts amazed that nine students could produce such music, sounding so much like a full orchestra.

As the board meeting got underway Tom Maimone, board president, announced that the discussion of security issues on the various campuses had been postponed pending a follow-up by the administration. During public comment clarification was requested regarding the Dec. 16 article in the Manhasset Press describing the numerous changes in the business office, and specifically, who now reports to whom. In the article it stated that the board had hired a new interim assistant superintendent of business, Dr. Austin Gavin, and a new internal claims auditor, Lisa Giglione (previous employee worked four days elsewhere and one day in Manhasset and chose full time employment at the other job). They also added a part-time internal accountant, Rosemary Johnson and engaged Ken Cerini of Cerini & Associates as the district's internal auditor, replacing Andrew Miller. Tom Maimone said that at the moment they are working on the chain of command and on segregation of duties. As stated in that article, the board seeks to promote the flow of information and to that end any resident can submit his e-mail address to www.listserve@manhasset.k12.ny.us to receive pertinent information from the district.

Also during public comment, Barbara Donno, past board president, asked for specific reasons for the superintendent's $200,000 buy-out, and asked for an accounting of all related costs. Tom Maimone said that part of the contract, structured while she was on the board, was that the superintendent could not be required to leave unless he consented to it. The dialogue became heated and was terminated, prompting resident Eugene Garges to comment "it's hot in here and I don't mean the temperature." The day after the meeting the board provided information on Dr. Bozzomo's retirement and contract. The board and Dr. Bozzomo agreed that a change in educational leadership was necessary for the continued success of the Manhasset School District. In accordance with his original contract signed in 1999, Dr. Bozzomo is entitled to certain termination benefits. His decision to retire allows the district to reduce the cost of the termination payment. This is accomplished by the District making post-retirement contributions to Dr. Bozommo over a five-year period. Under the original terms of the agreement, Dr. Bozzomo was also entitled to receive payment for any unused vacation and sick days. However, Dr. Bozzomo has agreed to waive payment for said days, further reducing the termination costs of his contract. The post-retirement contributions shall be made as follows: on June 1, 2005, $40,000; on January 1, 2006, $40,000; on January 1, 2007, $40,000; on January 1, 2008, $40,000; on January 1, 2009, $18,582.07. In addition, Dr. Bozzomo will receive health care benefits granted professional employees as stipulated in his original agreement.

During reports and recommendations Deborah Klein said that possibly by Jan. 1 the policies would be completed. The district internal auditor, until recently Andrew Miller, had been restricted to a 12-hour limit for his services and had now exceeded it. After discussion it was decided that because reserves are the only open item with the citizens advisory committee, and Mr. Miller is the only one who knows the history, to extend his time by about three hours. Also mentioned was that Continuing Education and Adult Education will again be offered as a service to the community, hopefully by March 2005. In addition, the program for Summer Center in 2005 is under review. Another item discussed was the cell towers: how the individual wireless companies buy and sell each other at dizzying speeds and whether or not the contracts are assignable; how they generate about $100,000 to the district; how a 180-day-advance notice is required for termination, and that a firm hired to test for safety issues will render its report in January. It was suggested the district inform them it is considering termination of the contract which might motivate them to simply move the towers. It was also said the district might as well enjoy the revenue until the end of the year, and that one deleterious effect would be about a $100,000 shortfall in the budget. Aline Khatchadourian, board member, pointed out that she did not see a line item in the budget for the income from the cell towers so maybe it had not been counted as income.

Dr. Bozzomo addressed several issues, then introduced Dr. Austin Gavin, newly-appointed interim business manager. Dr. Gavin said thathe had been retired for six weeks and knew the price of every power tool at Home Depot. He began work on Monday and already lost four pounds, he said that what with austerity, no teacher contracts, state audit, superintendent's departure, budget voted down, excessive reserves, underlying mistrust, all compounded by the reassessment. He noted he had met smart, talented people and looked forward to working with them. There have been 16 business managers in 25 years he pointed out-he was #16-and it would be OK to refer to him as 16, in James Bond fashion. There are politics in every community, Hatfields and McCoys in any district, he noted. Each powders their muskets and fires away, and, in 33 years "I have caught some buckshot" he admitted, then went on to say that he doesn't know the good guys or the bad guys, and it doesn't much matter to him. What matters is getting off austerity, restoring the confidence of the community, and maximizing the reserves. He intends to look in every nook and cranny of the budget and he does not want to cut programs. He explained the budget process this way: it is a long journey over windy, hilly terrain and there are many trees with apples. So, walk on the path and pick the apples from the low branches. Later, there are other trees with higher apples and with help from people holding the ladder steady they can be reached. Finally, there are unreachable apples that can not be touched without destroying the tree. At the end of the journey all should feel they picked enough apples for today, and should move on. The audience applauded and Mr. Gavin concluded by saying there have been many changes in the business office and it is not the same office as last year. He invited all to "come in and see us."

Robert Feirsen, deputy superintendent for instruction, announced the Hallelujah Choir had concluded their winter concerts and Robyn Mandor, assistant superintendent for personnel, said a mediator had been appointed to assist with the teachers' contract negotiations.

During the 10 minutes set aside for public comment, Regina Rule asked to make a formal request of the board, then suggested parents attending the meeting to address the board should be able to do so at the beginning of the meeting instead of at the end. Robert Donno revisited the earlier discussion initiated by Barbara Donno saying her questions had not been answered. Tom Maimone suggested it best to leave it alone. Carlo Prinzo, chairman of the citizens advisory committee on finance, offered "It's over, it's done, let's move on."

Toward the end of the meeting the board announced it had selected the firm of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA) to conduct a nationwide search for the district's next superintendent. The estimated consulting fee for services ranges from $30,000 to $40,000 depending upon many variables, such as travel related expenses for a formal interview with the board.