(Ed.s Note: The following letter was sent to Herb Cohen, in response to his letter to the editor in last week's issue and reprinted here at the writer's request.)

Please let me clarify a couple of issues. The letter in the paper regarding residency was to have had a footnote, informing readers that the letter had been sent to appropriate government officials. Since I have been in the District, we have attempted to be responsive to this issue in several ways. I am very well aware of case law. In the last three years, we have occasionally been able to bring cases to satisfactory completion. When necessary, we have solicited the use of a private investigator, used videotapes, and basically, used any means necessary to insure that Port Washington taxpayers are protected. We have done all that you identified in your letter, and more. The point of the letter to the papers was to enlist the help of other government agencies when we find that the burden of proof, which rests on "the parents," does not appear legitimate. Not surprisingly, people have figured out the system and have falsified documentation to gain admittance to our schools.

Please be assured that this is a very serious matter for me, and by extension, all District administrative staff. While we have built in many safeguards, I think that some assistance from the appropriate government officials will be very helpful. In the last paragraph of your letter, you actually helped make that point, by identifying where our jurisdiction begins and where it ends.

The response to my letter to appropriate government officials has been extremely positive. We are discussing ways to help remedy the situation. I am sorry if my letter was misleading. Please be assured that our vigilance on this issue is at the highest level.

Albert F. Inserra, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools