It amazes me how people can slant information and report only half truths. Many recent letters to the editor have not reported balanced information or all aspects of the story. I encourage every member of the community to seek complete answers and unvarnished truth. Here's another side to some recent letters.

An author tried to convince young parents that it was in their best interests to defeat the school budget because if the increases kept going at the same rate, in 30 years we wouldn't be able to afford to live on Long Island. One could make the same argument for any set of prices, whether they are gas, milk or taxes. I know we all need to plan for the future, but we live in the present. As far as I am concerned, my future sits across from me every night at the dinner table. My future is my children. It is my responsibility to provide them with the best education and opportunities. I understand that in 30 years I might not be able to afford to stay in Manhasset, but staying here is not a guaranteed right. If I can't afford it I will make alternate plans; I will not campaign to defeat a school budget.

Why talk about a $280 million unfunded healthcare liability? This letter implies that this issue is only Manhasset's problem, and that is only half the truth. Every school district, municipality and government faces the same problem, because government has always funded healthcare on a pay as you go method. Remember that $280 million is not the present value figure of the liability stream. The calculation in today's dollars would be far lower.

I believe that this budget process has been more fiscally responsible and transparent than ever before. How much transparency was there 10-20 years ago? The school budget has come a long way, and that deserves to be recognized. One letter stated that the public will not get the benefit of the savings on outsourced transportation. The statement should have read will not receive the "full" benefit that had been projected because of re-bidding, increased enrollment dictating additional runs, the signing of a one year contract as opposed to a three year contract. Were the routes exactly the same this year as last, the savings would have exceeded $1 million.

The icing on the cake for me is the report of an individual who has been a New York City educator and is drawing on the same benefits pot that they are criticizing. I can't understand the criticism and anger about a system that you participate in. Would you like to give yours back? I believe our teachers should be well paid in both salary and benefits. They are responsible for our next generation, our children. If you are not happy with the system, make positive constructive change and fix it, but do not attack the people that are responsible for educating our children or kill the system that you feel needs to be fixed.

I recently attended a LIFER meeting at the Manhasset Public Library and heard a LIFER member make an offer to a parent to debate issues in a public forum organized by the League of Women Voters. When the LIFER member found out that this woman represented only a very well informed group of parents and nothing more official, the response was "No debate, you are only parents."

A strong school system benefits us all. Anything of value costs money. We need to spend in a fiscally responsible manner, and this board is doing that in a very open and transparent way. Change can happen when one works within the system, and when problems are attacked at their roots. Many of those roots are not here in the local district, but are buried in Albany. Our board is making change happen where they can. Let us support them and our schools.

Marirose Merola