(The following is an open letter to members of the Board of Education East Williston Union Free School District.)

We are writing as former board members to hopefully be of assistance at this critical juncture in the school district's history. We, of course, are aware that the board has voted on a 3-2 basis to move ahead with substantial construction plans for the district, including a fourth building situated on the Wheatley campus. This is a major undertaking, and will have a long-term impact on the school district and the community as a whole.

We have heard that at least one group of residents is very much in favor of this option and has held several meetings with school district officials which, in certain cases, excluded residents who wished to attend. In fact, we understand that the president of the board of education, the superintendent of schools, the assistant superintendent of schools, all three school principals, as well as the president of the teachers' union attended these meetings. Under any definition, this would appear to be a school district sponsored meeting. That residents were excluded, or at the least, that there was no official notification of these meetings is troublesome. It cannot be construed as constructively bringing the community together, in fact, just the opposite is true.

We all know that there are many issues where school district residents, in good conscience, could have differing views. However, to hold such meetings with one group under the auspices of the school district, appears to favor one opinion over another. We urge you to put whatever plan you support forward and present it to all residents on school district property. During our last bond issue in 1990, (the first proposition was defeated in 1989) the board held no less than a half dozen meetings to explain the plan and hear the community's input. The community expects no less from this board. Also, in the February 1999 edition of East Williston Schools, the lead article makes no mention of the $10,000,000 bond issue passed in 1990, and the work done on the schools thereafter. This was a major focus for the school district and the community from 1987 to 1990. Again, the community needs to know the complete background.

The school district remains one of the few, possibly the only, common area of interest for residents of several different communities. We are all uncomfortable when situations arise that cause divisions in the community. To hold meetings on a less-than open basis could cause divisions that may last for years.

Please consider this a request for a positive resolution and an offer that we remain available if you would like our assistance in any way possible.

Peter Blitzer

Joan McC. Fleck

Jane Anne Smith

Carla Strauss

Lawrence J. Waldman