The Manhasset School Board meeting was held Oct. 20 in the auditorium at Shelter Rock Elementary School and once it was established a quorum was present the meeting took off. Samantha Baard was designated student representative this year and she brings to the position standout qualifications. The search for a superintendent has produced a candidate, Charles Cardillo, who will be formally introduced and appointed at a special, official board meeting on Oct. 27 in the boardroom at the high school. Formerly he was deputy superintendent of the Sachem School District.

After the minutes of the Oct. 6 board meeting were approved special presentations began. Shelter Rock sixth graders entertained the audience with a choral group performance followed by recognition of nine sixth-graders who welcomed new elementary school parents explaining many things to them: after school sports, recess, teachers, subjects, cafeteria food, etc. Board member Larry Belinsky handed out citations to each of the music participants, and Paulette Williams, assistant Shelter Rock principal, presented awards to students who welcomed the parents. Of the music program Principal Robert Geczik said there are many components: the staff comprised of Sarah Duke, Heather Olsen and David Tomlet; the music, written by the teachers and selected by the students; support, financial and parental, and "in Manhasset we enjoy both"; and students, the most important ingredient.

Next on the agenda Eileen Cuneo, Tower Foundation, made a presentation to enhance the foreign language program. The objective was for the Manhasset School District to accept a gift of $200,000 to purchase a foreign language state-of-art multimedia learning lab. The goal was to increase the proficiency of the 1,500 students enrolled in the foreign language program and to broaden interest in and appreciation of the study of a foreign language for all students. Research to purchase the system included observing systems already in place in Great Neck South, North Rockland, Plainview and Greenwich. It was said the system is far superior to what is currently in place in the district. The Tower Foundation intends to raise funds for the system however there would be a one-time cost to the district of about $19,000 and an annual service/support contract of around $6,000. The system would "allow us to use materials we already have much more efficiently," Hedy Minerbo, secondary school foreign language teacher said, and she added that "the learning curve for students is practically nil." Cindy Cardinal, board president said, "The magnitude of the gift speaks to the generosity of the community."

During public comment someone asked about the snow load on the 30-year- old Shelter Rock roof and Austin Gavin, interim superintendent for business, said it happened to have been inspected four days ago. It was inspected as part of an ongoing building condition survey, he said, part of a long-range capital projects plan required by the state to be updated every five years and Manhasset's was last updated five years ago. Gavin said to expect the report in about a month, or the end of November. At that time the best means of funding would be determined, be it through a bond or from the operating budget.

Eileen Krach spoke next informing the group she had a daughter in St. Mary's and a son who entered Manhasset Middle School this year who was seriously injured Oct. 18 in an accident on school grounds after lunch. The children were engaged in a full contact sport, no one saw the accident, she said, and students had to find a supervising adult following the accident. Mrs. Krach was present at the board meeting, she informed everyone, to indicate the seriousness of her son's injuries and to ensure steps were taken "to prevent this happening to another student." She was assured a full written report was forthcoming.

As is scheduled at each meeting this year the four school principals were present and gave reports. For example, Dr. Kendall of Munsey Park said both fourth grades are at capacity, 24 in each class. Dr. Kendall acknowledged the formation of a safety committee and reported the staff will wear ID badges; the 6th Precinct, hopefully, will provide a sign that registers a driver's speed as he passes the school on Northern Boulevard and there is a fence on Hunt Lane for greater security.

Samantha Baard said clubs are in the process of selecting members who will become the pool from which senators are drawn for the Student Senate.

The district's new architectural firm is JAG Architects, P.C. from Port Jefferson. Aline Khatchadourian announced a meeting next month with Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi to underline common problems school districts face getting their budgets passed and to enlist his help in bringing the concerns to the attention of state government.

Dr. Shine commented on Huntington Coach's best effort driving the children in the recent unrelenting rainstorms. Most problems have been successfully addressed, he said, with the exception of afternoon routes at Munsey Park, and they too will be corrected soon. Some routes are undergoing changes, new stops are being considered and should be decided on by November. Rosemary Johnson worked around the clock, he said, and deserves the lion's share of the credit in solving problems.

Austin Gavin commented that over his career, and that he had worked with many superintendents, he had never worked with one so caring and devoted as Dr. Shine who led the charge handling transportation problems. Belinsky then reported that Kathy Malhame, St. Mary's representative, had told him that all transportation problems were rectified and that they owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Shine and the district.

Austin Gavin added the district is still waiting for the completion of the state's audit and expects to have it by the end of October or early November.

All this, and the meeting was adjourned at 10:02 p.m.