We are writing with great concern and disappointment. We are residents of Mineola, taxpayers and parents of four children. While we have chosen to send our children to St. Aidan's, we have many friends who attend our public schools and we are very supportive of our district and its programs. However, with the recent passage of the school budget, we have found a false sense of accomplishment from the district.

Proponents of the budget advocated strongly the necessity to pass the budget to directly benefit the children. The budget passed, our taxes will go up again and our children will be shortchanged as the salaries of the administrators are raised while teachers and aides are laid off.

One of our daughters has been receiving services since she was in pre-kindergarten. For the past few years, she has been attending resource room four times a week per her Individual Education Program (IEP) with Cenza Dziorny. She has made tremendous progress with Mrs. Dziorny, who works with her and her occupational therapy teacher. Over the years, Mrs. Dziorny has formed a strong bond with her as well as countless other children. Her dedication and patience have made a positive impact on our daughter's academic confidence and progress. Mrs. Dziorny knows each child and works hard to guide, encourage and teach them. They have an understanding of each other that promotes a positive learning environment.

After approximately 20 years at St. Aidan's working for the district, Mrs. Dziorny has a wonderful reputation with our children and our school. Maybe this is not important to Dr. Licopoli. As parents who know the struggles children face with each challenge in the classroom, it is a comfort to know there is someone who truly cares about making a difference in a small child's life.

Having career backgrounds in business and education, we are well aware of the constraints that a district must face to meet financial needs. However, our district seems to have no problem taking care of the monetary needs of those at the top of the ladder. Are our children in this situation being forgotten?

We have been informed that a high school teacher returning from maternity leave will be taking Mrs. Dziorny's place next year. How will this high school teacher relate to elementary-age children? There is a difference in approach, expectations and experience in dealing with younger children. We guess that all of Mrs. Dziorny's experience and hourly salary are breaking the budget of Mineola School District funds. Our taxes are going up at the expense of our children's education and to benefit the administrators who willingly take salary increases while qualified teachers and support staff lose their jobs.

We are very sorry to lose Mrs. Dziorny. She will be missed and we wish her the best. We are sorry that Dr. Licopoli and our district did not appreciate all that she has to offer our children.

Concerned parents in Mineola