Recently I have been very ill and "out of the loop" of Manhasset's news. I learned the budget had passed and was thrilled! I've lived in Manhasset for over 30 years and have worked very closely with the schools and the staffs at each one.

I have been so upset by the anti-Manhasset School naysayers. You have the right to vote your conscience, yes or no, but the venom and distortion in some of the letters was something I haven't seen in our Press.

Our teachers did so much for my children, each very different with his own abilities. One began in Special Education and soared with the help of the regular curriculum and art, music, drama - I could go on. The teachers were tireless and, as a former middle school teacher, I feel I know what they do and how hard it is. I applaud them all. It was a great experience for my children and our family.

The bus vote upset me so much. We all loved Hank, Adele (my youngest's favorite) and the summer program's drivers, too. Hank was the only driver my first two had. He was still there for Courtney, my youngest and then came Adele, who still waves madly whenever she is stopped near our home or I bump into her on Plandome Road. How could we treat these drivers in this way?

My last child graduated in 2000. When I told her about the vote, she asked what we could do to keep them. She was a real "Mommy's girl" and had a hard time getting on the bus. The nurturing drivers were wonderful - patient and caring, the first and last contact of their day (unless you take advantage of the outstanding afternoon programs).

I want to thank our drivers from the bottom of my heart and apologize for the way they ended their Manhasset careers.

Diane D. White