We are writing in response to recent letters that have been published regarding the proposed facility enhancements in the East Williston School District. The controversy that has arisen over "closed, secret meetings" is a smoke screen that is being used to undermine the educational future of this district. Our children are graduates of the Wheatley School.

As parents who worked tirelessly to better the schools, we take great offense at the reluctance of some district residents to acknowledge that immediate action is necessary to maintain the standard of excellence in education for which this district is known. Make no mistake, the main reason for the high real estate values on all our homes is a direct result of the commitment that district residents have heretofore made to our schools.

As for the Partnership for Education meetings, these meetings were not meant to be informational meetings for the community at large, that responsibility lies with our board of education. The board has held a series of four public forums where residents were encouraged to express their ideas and opinions. Community residents were also invited to attend approximately five public work sessions where they could hear the rationally and the thinking of the board of education members regarding the proposed facilities plan. The opportunity to become informed about these plans was readily available.

Public education is based on the premise that each generation owes the succeeding generation the same commitment that was made to them. To all those parents whose children have had the finest educational opportunities, we would certainly hope they are prepared to undertake the same obligation to provide future children nothing less than past generations afforded their own children. To those who say we do not need additional facilities, shame on you, for if your heritage of excellence is to be continued, then the current facilities are woefully inadequate.

The board of education is made up of volunteers, please note the word "volunteers." They are all taxpaying homeowners and as such, are well aware of the impact of any tax increase. They do not have a master plan to spend your hard earned money in a reckless or frivolous manner. Their mission is to create a plan that will continue to provide all children with the finest educational opportunities possible within a fiscally responsible framework. The residents of this district should work in concert with the members of the board of education to make children and quality education their top priority.

Susan Landau

Marian Roslyn