Without saying, the board of education's role has always been to represent the best interests of the taxpaying community as a whole while meeting the state-mandated educational requirements. Unfortunately, once members are in their respective positions, self-interests take center stage and programs are approved in order to meet their and other parents needs and wants for the children.

How is the board of education representing the best interests of the balance of the taxpaying community? Taxpayers should never have been burdened with the expense of Summer Center (to name only one). This is nothing more than high-priced babysitting at the taxpayers' expense. Yes, we are aware that a learning element was added to the program to legally justify pushing the expense off onto taxpayers; however, it should never have been done.

It is high time that the BOE told parents that they must foot the bill for their burden(s) to be borne by the taxpaying community as a whole.

The 2004-2005 austerity budget caused Summer Center and other program expenses to be borne by those utilizing them and/or facilities. The BOE should continue in that direction. Under austerity, the BOE is required to think long and hard about each and every expense and to identify a source of income to offset that expense. Maybe austerity should become a mandate in Manhasset.

Maybe now is the best time for the current BOE to get back to basics. Do an analysis and disclose to the taxpaying community the true costs associated with meeting state-mandated educational requirements and the costs associated with the self-interest add-ons that are currently in the curriculum. Provide the taxpayers with a breakdown by plant as well.

Unfortunately, we can all rest assured that the BOE's response will be nothing less than 'we planned to ... but with the state audit taking place our hands are tied.'

On a separate yet related note, is the current BOE outsourcing transportation to free up school-owned land to build additional middle school classrooms (if/when the taxpayers approve a bond referendum)? When will the BOE disclose the true reason behind outsourcing? Please do not insult the intelligence of the community - there are ulterior motives behind outsourcing which the BOE needs to be forthcoming with. Our family was prepared to vote yes on the transportation bond which the board decided to scrap just before the vote. It is painfully obvious the BOE would rather have the community's approval on a referendum to increase class space than upgrade our transportation fleet.

The White Family