Dr. William Shine was superintendent of schools in Great Neck for 22 years before becoming interim superintendent of schools in Manhasset. Last week when interviewed by the Manhasset Press he said, "I like to be around kids."

Dr. Shine was not about to compare the two districts, but he did comment on the huge difference in the athletic complex. Referring to the artificial turf provided last year by the Booster Club, he said, "I went out and walked on it, it's very soft." He also noted that Manhasset High School is very accessible to people, there is a steady tide sweeping people in and out. "It's a major part of the community," he said, "and the youngsters and parents see it that way."

Manhasset is reeling still from the failed budgets, operating under austerity, and especially the Nassau County property reassessment which is outside the authority of the school district but which greatly impacts it. Shine added the tragic consequences in Roslyn to the list and said those feelings of misplaced trust are changing. "The board of education and the school district seek the community's trust, it's a contract," he said, "and the community must feel it has ownership of the district--that is why it elects a board of education."

Dr. Shine said that for his interlude in Manhasset he "wants to represent the board and keep the community moving forward in support of public education. No interim is given a huge public responsibility," he said, and he wants "to ensure continuity, keep the district moving forward and attend to the day to day in the schools." He said he believes visiting the schools is central because anything that coalesces comes from an experience, and that should be something the superintendent is in touch with. "Public education is a consensus model and we don't necessarily solve any problem, just contribute to the solution," he said.

He said Manhasset has "a distinguished record of accomplished graduates, and this year 28 are going to ivy league schools, a very good record for a small school."

Transparency as an issue was broached and Dr. Shine said, "transparency is critical. Most any document that exists is public and should be made available upon request, or under the Freedom of Information Law." He commented that at present the community is concerned about the possibility of outsourcing transportation, and he said "all the facts are in the specs." Dr. Shine said those specifications for outsourcing transportation as established by the board of education with the bus companies, are available at the central administration office at the high school for anyone who would like to view them.

"Great Neck has used outsourced transportation for years," Shine said, and "in Great Neck there are only two roads out of town, and almost any problem could halt traffic and the buses would run 1-2 hours late. It never mattered because the dispatcher was joined to us at the hip, and responsible until each child was safe." He continued, saying, "the board performed due diligence and presented outsourcing to the community for a vote and they showed great courage in doing this."