As a resident, taxpayer and parent of the Mineola School District for nearly 16 years, I felt compelled to write a letter in support of the Mineola Board of Education.

I can recall the day quite clearly back in1993 when I asked one of the top administrators in our district what he felt about the low percentage of our

children taking the Regents exams. His reply was that "the community didn't demand it" and he saw no immediate urgency to address the issue. I had moved into the neighborhood with two young children at the time and was completely flabbergasted as to his reply. I made it my mission to attend as many board meetings as I could in order to learn as much as I could about the education of my children. I struggled with my observations. My children (now numbering three) were receiving a good education with the help of many wonderful teachers, but I was more than unsure of the board and administration. We seemed to lack a cohesive educational plan with real goals and spending was out of control.

Fast forward to the year 2001 when a new administration, led by Dr. Larry Licopoli, came to the district. I was not sure what to expect but I knew that the district needed a new direction and new leadership. Administrators, the board and dedicated teachers stepped up to new initiatives.

Over the years, I watched as this new administration and board

cut waste and developed a real education plan with goals, benchmarks and most importantly, accountability.

I had many conversations with administrators, teachers and board members, worked on various committees and watched as this school district moved forward. I watched as old board members left and new board members were elected, always amazed that these individuals gave so much of their time and effort in a completely voluntary manner. I certainly did not always agree with their opinions but I always respected the position they held as it certainly is one of the most difficult and thankless jobs one could hold in your own community. The scrutiny that a board of education is under is certainly necessary but you have to wonder why someone would want the title!

When I was unhappy about something the board did or said, I always looked at their motivation and felt that though I might disagree, I believed that they were making their decision based on what they believed was right for the children, the taxpayers and the district.

This district really got on the right track in so many areas; first and foremost was the educational plan that was implemented and is continually assessed by our administrators, board and teachers. Our students are

achieving better than ever across every spectrum and our children are going to college more than ever before. A budget finance committee, along with many other committees, was set up with members of the community lending their expertise to the process. The board became more and more transparent with much more open communication, accessibility to administrators

and pages of information relevant to just about anything you could think of in terms of running a district. The website is chock full of information. I dare anyone to show me a district that is more willing to share information to its residents through its many public meetings, workshops and website. Our buildings and grounds are looking better than ever because we finally have a capital improvement plan, something this district never had. One only has to look at the beautiful, new auditorium at the high school to see just some of the real progress.

Yes, of course, mistakes have been made along the way, but we have made tangible and assessable progress in every direction!

Where is this all leading to? Unfortunately for this district, we are now embroiled in board meetings where the education of our children is now taking a backseat to a very disheartening personnel matter. I do not

pretend to know all the facts. It is a legal matter that requires privacy and confidentiality, something that some members of our community refuse to

acknowledge. The legal process must take place and we must respect the process. I cannot believe how individuals have already decided on the guilt of those accused and somehow believe that the education of their children is in some kind of peril. The only peril we face now is losing sight of what is important. The grade configuration study is only one example of how the Board is trying to decide on a fiscally prudent but academically sound project that this district desperately needs.

The cloud of suspicion that the board must now operate under will be very difficult, at best. I respectfully ask that we all ask ourselves as human

beings, would we want such hateful and vile gossip being spread about ourselves or loved ones through the neighborhood? The damage being done to our community and all those involved in the lawsuit, along with their families, is unimaginable. This is not reality TV. I urge all of us to be open and fair-minded and to get involved personally with your children's education. Listening to a neighbor gossip about the board and administration is not the way to get real information. Come to a board meeting yourself, join a committee, go on the website or pick up a phone and call central office. I have always found this board and administration to be very accessible.

Lastly, let's not forget the real progress that this district has made. Yes, there is always more work to be done but we need to get back to the business of our children! I hope this, too, shall pass as we need to continue the extremely challenging job of educating our children and being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of this community. The grade reconfiguration offers a real chance to have services distributed more equitably and further cost-cutting measures to be made.

Remember where we've been and how much improvement has been made. That didn't happen without the direction and leadership of this administration, the board and its many dedicated teachers.

Chris Napolitano