Over the last few years, we have witnessed an increase in community divisiveness, and an unprecedented campaign of name-calling and character assassination. A group of Manhasset residents including educators, business, government and community leaders believe that the divisiveness will end only when the school board initiates a policy of disseminating thorough and transparent information to which the community is entitled, and further initiates a policy that requires the school board represent and consider all segments of the community.

Believing that transparency and inclusiveness is key to unity, we organized MPSA (Manhasset Public School Association), a nonprofit organization independent from the school board, the SCA, teachers union, administrators union and CAC and as such can freely express its views whether supportive or critical of the district's academic achievement and fiscal policy.

In addition to a transparent and inclusive school board, MPSA believes in school policy that fosters academic achievement along with an annual budget at or below the regional inflation rate. Through the experiences of our diverse group of volunteers, we plan to provide and report in our website, the Manhasset Press and at community meetings effective solutions to the current situation.

Our web site can be visited at www.manhassetpsa.com.

Laurann Pandelakis