I'm a long-standing Manhasset resident living in Plandome Manor with a sixth grader at Shelter Rock and together with my wife, Charlene, we are active in a number of village, volunteer and community initiatives, including water quality, zoning and various charities. I've never considered myself an expert on our school district or its budget, but I try to stay reasonably informed, which given the level of controversy that this topic has generated, hasn't been too hard to do. Besides being an involved parent and citizen, I have also spent the last 27 years in the business technology area, having run two successful companies and having been a partner in a large professional services firm. So, hopefully, I have gained some perspective on how to and how not to manage large, complex organizations, with many moving parts and constituencies.

I was shocked to learn that certain recent personnel changes in the school business office have been criticized by some members of our community. It appears to me that for the last decade, we have failed to implement a sound financial planning, budgeting and control system to manage our school district's finances. Regardless of where you come out on the individual points of debate, we all share common ground in needing to tighten the school district's financial controls.

The recent personnel changes have brought into the school business office two trained professionals both capable of achieving this important objective. I know one of the new hires personally for over 17 years. My friend, Rosemary Johnson ranks among the most talented financial minds in our community. I have seen her turnaround countless situations, through clear-headed analysis, solid communications and exceptional leadership skills. Despite having had other recent and far more lucrative job offers, Rosemary has decided to apply her talents to our local situation at less than 30 percent of her market value. Moreover, she is returning to school to pick up some important academic credentials, as she plans to dedicate herself 100 percent to this undertaking. Why? It's certainly not for the pay. It's certainly not for the power, as this is a staff position. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that she cares about our community? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that she has a fourth grader at Munsey Park? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that she knows she can make a positive impact close to home? Or to help our community get back on track with what brought most of us here in the first place, the pursuit of quality education for our children? Any questioning of her motives are unfair and mean-spirited.

We now have a terrific opportunity to put our school district's financial house in order. Evaluate Rosemary on her qualifications and her performance. Regardless of where you come out on the particular issues of the debate, the entire community will benefit from improved financial controls over our school district planning, budgeting and operations processes. Please join me in supporting these new hires! In the near future, our community should reap the benefits of being able to make better decisions by having access to better data through modern financial tools and control systems!

Michael Prounis