As a former reading specialist of the Roslyn Public Schools, I am aghast to learn what has been going on there. When I taught there, the system was widely respected for its excellent programs.

While I certainly understand the justified indignation of the community, defeating the budget is not the answer to the problem. An austerity budget would mean:

* Parents will have to provide children with lunch since the cafeteria will be closed.

* Classes will be larger in size and fewer services provided.

* Parents will have to transport many of their children since bus service will be curtailed.

* Fewer books and materials will be available.

* After school sports will be eliminated.

* Schools will not be available to the community for afternoon or evening events.

* Field Trips will be diminished or eliminated.

* Property values will be lowered since much of their value was based on the excellence of their schools.

For all of the above reasons, defeating the budget will be only psychologically helpful but will hurt all of the children!

Sophie Freeman