After reviewing the latest publication regarding the bond issue, I have a few questions.

It was my understanding that there would be additional "open" meetings such as the Nov. 30 meeting, before any resolution would be adopted. However, the only meeting that took place, other than the very small "cottage" meetings, was a regular board meeting to which residents were invited. At that meeting the board adopted the resolution it will put before the public for a vote.

It was very disappointing to the Hampton Street community that this was done prior to Feb. 9 when Mr. Jackson was scheduled to appear at Hampton Street School to answer questions and hear further opinions and bring those concerns and questions back to the board. Thus, the views of the people in attendance were irrelevant.

At the January board meeting the board announced its new figures highlighting one or two changes from the original plan to upgrade technology and curriculum which was why we hired the CELT organization. At the Dec. 10 board meeting we were informed we have already paid them almost a half million dollars, and they will be remaining even longer. What will that cost and why can't we do this ourselves?

The main changes in the bond issue were:

1. Eliminate $7 million of construction at Hampton Street School.

2. Add just under $1 million to Cross Street for construction.

Why then, didn't we use the remaining $6 million the architect at a recent board meeting stated would be needed to return the Willis Avenue building into a usable site?

We now realize that leaving Willis Avenue to rot all these years was a big mistake. Why should we support a system that refuses to learn by and correct its mistakes? To eliminate Willis Avenue from this bond issue leaves room for another request at some point in the future for additional monies and taxes to repair or rebuild that building. Keeping it just for the land when we need space would be ludicrous.

Including it in the bond issue would have showed a strong, determined attitude to make Mineola a totally efficient and completely functioning district using all its resources without allowing further decay to occur.

S. McPartlan