In a Letter to the Editor titled "Classrooms and Class Size," (Manhasset Press, Dec. 15), the author stated: "No link can be shown between smaller class sizes and test score improvements." In reality, there is a wealth of documentation that supports both sides of the issue. In an article published in Review of Educational Research, Jeremy D. Finn and Gina M. Pannozzo state: "Small classes in the elementary grades have been shown to boost students' academic performance." To the contrary, in the book Education Myths: What Special-Interest Groups Want You to Believe About Our Schools and Why it Isn't So, Jay P. Green claims that smaller class size does not produce higher academic performance. To be a well-informed citizen, a person must be willing to explore and acknowledge research on both sides of an issue.

In a Letter to the Editor titled "The Season of Giving," (Manhasset Press, Dec. 22), the author encourages Manhasset residents to visit the LIFER web page. With the ability to log on anonymously as a "guest," the poster can claim that they are a "senior," "teacher," "parent," or "concerned citizen." One poster who claimed to be a "senior" went so far as to suggest that teachers should lobby for more protection under tenure law so that they can "molest students." Do LIFER members really believe that this kind of abuse is necessary to facilitate their objective of defeating school budgets and promoting "transparency"?

The MEA will proudly endure criticism for trying to work with the board, parents and other concerned residents to ensure fiscal responsibility while not losing sight of our primary mission: educating Manhasset's children.

Manhasset Education Association Executive Board

Edward R. Vasta, Marilyn Chiarello, Kathleen Olwy, Kim Hartmann, Victoria Lundin, Michael Faraci, Deborah Cernuto and Janet Kirwan