It was at the end of Thursday's meeting of the Mineola Board of Education, when school board trustee Lawrence Carroll said he had an announcement to make. Carroll proceeded to tell what was left of the audience that he was resigning from the school board for personal reasons.

In an open letter to the community that can be found on the editorial page of this newspaper, Carroll states that he has been satisfied with the board's reviews and decisions.

"Although there are certainly many tough issues, I have felt, and continue to feel, nothing but confidence that the current Board is honorable and worthy to serve our children's interest" he stated.

Carroll was first elected to the school board in 2005; his term would have expired on June 20, 2008. In his time on the school board, Carroll presented himself as a gentleman who was concerned about the students in the district.

Mineola Board of Education President John McGrath called Carroll "an exemplary board member whose presence and leadership was extensive and who will be sorely missed."

The board will now have to decide what to do with the vacant seat. The board can elect to appoint someone to fill the seat until June 30, 2008 after which the person who won the election in May 2008 would be sworn in. The board could also decide to hold a special election to fill the seat or it can leave the seat vacant.

If the board elects to leave the seat vacant, there would only be four members on the board so it appears unlikely that would be the case.

A topic of discussion at Thursday's board meeting was the first grade class at the Meadow Drive School. There was set to be 25 first grade students in one class at the Meadow Drive School.

After some parents complained about having too many students in one class, the administration and the board of education decided to split the class into two sections - one for 13 students and one for 12 students.

Board of education president John McGrath said that according to the financial protocols included in the 2007-2008 budget, the district pledged to make every effort to keep class sizes from kindergarten through second grade to a 22 students-to-one-teacher ratio. Since 25 students to a class was over that ratio, the board voted to split the class.

There was no vote taken by the board to split the class. The board acted on a recommendation from the administration.

The Mineola School District is switching its student management systems software from Power School to eSchool. A student management system controls all information about students in the district including grades, scheduling and results of state assessments. District resident Debbie Donovan spoke about the district not adding excess levels of administration and programs that are not needed. She said the administration is pulling the iceberg down and that iceberg is the kids. The Mineola School District does spend a considerable amount on salaries of administrators, as do all school districts in Nassau County. Some might argue that money going to administrator and teacher salaries does qualify for money going toward the students since the administrators and teachers are charged with educating the students.