This week the Massapequa Board of Education removed a controversial portion of its proposed 1998-99 budget that, if enacted, would change the hours of operation of three of its elementary schools.

The proposal was intended to make the school hours for McKenna, Lockhart, and East Lake Schools conform to the hours of the district's three other schools south of Sunrise Highway. The proposal was estimated to save the school district $125,000 for the year by eliminating three school buses.

The proposal affected lines 150 through 155 of the district's budget, dealing with pupil transportation. The budget explanation read that the decrease in transportation costs "assumes that north elementary schools change their starting times to 9:30 am" and "also eliminate district sponsored mid-day buses for field trips."

Upon learning of the proposed change, over 100 parents attended the board of education's last budget hearing to voice their concerns over the proposed change. Some parents were alarmed that the changes would interfere with their personal or work schedules.

School Board President Robert Thompson said that, prior to the budget hearing, he received hundreds of calls from upset parents.

"The board consensus is that we are willing to raise taxes enough to cover the $120,000," said Thompson, adding that a committee will be formed to address the issue.

Brucia also assured parents that the proposal would not resurface during the school year. "If it's out of the budget, it will not come back in the middle of the school year," he said.

Thompson said that the issue is one that has surfaced several times during school board discussion. "I think it's an idea that has never been factually supported," said Thompson, adding that "last night we decided that this is an idea that needs much more study."

However the board did not resolve to eliminate the district's proposal to save $20,000 by ending the free mid-day bus program. Mid-day busses are used by teachers in the district to bring their classes on inexpensive field trips, without additional cost to parents.

Janet Vacarro, a local resident, said "If the kids are using them, you can't take them away from the kids."

Trustee Ric Sorvillo suggested that that board attempt to find an alternative way to fund the mid-day buses.