Imagine only 10 percent of our school children showing up for class - 270 kids of the approximately 2,700. Think about 2,430 of those kids not bothering to attend school.

Last year's school budget vote was defeated by a vote of 979-852. That is a total of 1831 total votes. Of those voting approximately 25 percent had children enrolled in school, about 490 votes. A more telling number, however, is that 490 represents only 10 percent of the nearly 4,600 parents of our school children. This was not a new trend. As a matter of fact, over the last seven years these numbers have remained nearly constant. Only 10 percent of Mineola students' parents are turning out to vote on our school district's budgets.

At first, I thought it might be a registration issue. I looked up the voter roles for the assembly districts which our schools are part of. As of March 1, 2004, 68 percent of all residents in these districts are registered to vote. Take away the populations who are not eligible to vote, due to age or other circumstances, and you'll find this number is quite representative of the districts. My next thought was apathy.

At a recent school event I had the privilege of debating some of the districts plans for now and the future with my fellow parents. Many of those I spoke with were quite animated in their opinions, as they should be. They were, naturally, discussing their children's future. Would you believe the Public Record showing the names of each voter in the 2002-2003 school budget referendum did not contain the names of the most vocal members of that debate? I think that's a shame. Check for yourself, these records are available to anyone at the district's administration building. For the record, I will be getting a copy of this year's voter role. If you want to have a debate with me about anything our district is doing or not doing, be sure your name is on the list. Otherwise, your words are hollow.

Voting for or against a budget is not my issue. Showing up to vote is my issue. Four hundred and ninety votes by school children's parents! I would guess more than double that number were actually at the very school where they could have voted, either dropping off or picking up their children. Ninety seconds is all it would have taken to cast a vote.

This May 18 we can change a seven year trend of parent apathy and show we care about the future of our children's education. We can take 90 seconds out of our busy lives to vote. The time it will take to brew a pot of coffee is all the time it will take you to cast your vote. Most of us wouldn't start our day without that cup of coffee. Don't ask our children to start their day without our full support.

Artie Barnett