School board member Mary Ellen Williams has decided not to run for re-election to the Mineola Board of Education. In a statement she read at the April 3 board meeting, she cited a recent petition sent to the state commissioner of education by a fellow board member as the reason why.

In response to allegations by a former administrative assistant to the superintendent of schools that the superintendent and deputy superintendent created a hostile work atmosphere, school board member Laraine Salvatore sent a petition to the state commissioner of education that the board "failed to take any remedial action whatsoever" and "the balance of the board is incapable of properly carrying out its duties."

Salvatore's petition also states that three board members of the five-member board, referring to Williams, John McGrath and Steve Siwinski, and the superintendent "are the same people who were in place during the time period that John Jackson, former assistant superintendent for business and finance was indicted and convicted."

In her statement made earlier this month, Williams announced she would not be seeking re-election in May to the board, which she was originally elected to in 2002 and then re-elected in 2005.

Williams said in her statement that it was an honor and privilege to serve on the board but said she would not be seeking re-election because of Salvatore's accusation. "I have been publicly accused by a fellow board member of placing my needs ahead of the needs of the community during my service on this board. She has reported me to the Commissioner of Education of the State of New York twice for a pattern of willful neglect with respect to informing the public about teacher certification in the district, and such a pattern does not exist. This fellow board member felt it necessary to report to the commissioner that I served on this board at the time that an administrator was convicted of felonies as though I had some part in that criminal behavior. This same board member has reported me to the commissioner for failing to do my job as a trustee when, in fact, what I failed to do was what she wanted done when she wanted it done," Williams said.

Williams said she was angry and, instead of learning "to deal with this sort of behavior," would rather spend her time and effort in other ways."

With Williams not seeking re-election, the Mineola Board of Education will have a new trustee. Terry Hale, president of the District Council of PTAs, will be seeking election to Williams' seat.

In the other race, Lisa Lao, who was appointed to fill the term of Lawrence Carroll, who resigned from the board, is seeking election. She may be challenged by Will Hornberger, who is a member of the school community-based finance committee.

The Mineola Union Free School District would like to remind residents to please fill out and return the Grade Reconfiguration Survey that they should have received in mid-April. Residents are asked to complete the survey and return it in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope by Wednesday, April 30, 2008. All surveys are being returned to the district's consultants, School Leadership LLC, who hope to meet with the Board of Education by mid-May to discuss the results of the survey and to begin the second round of Focus Groups in early June. For more information regarding the survey and the letter that was mailed to homes, please visit the district website at www.mineola.k12.ny.us .