We greatly appreciate the investigative work that went into your article in the Feb. 21 issue of the Syosset-Jericho Tribune.

It would be most enlightening to find out why he asked "all school district superintendents in New York to begin community discussions to persuade the public that using Indian words, names, and images is offensive to those of Indian descent." Usually, discussions provide an opportunity for all to hear and attempt to understand each other, rather than persuade. "Persuade" is a most interesting choice of words.

It is unfortunate that Superintendent of Schools Dr. Hankin couldn't provide the information about the persuasive discussion months ago, when first asked. Now, if we could find out who was in attendance, we might be able to determine how open the "discussion" actually was.

Michael Mark

Syosset High School Class of 1967

I write to you concerning the article "Syosset Still Home of the Braves," (Syosset Jericho Tribune, Feb. 21). While it is true that a committee met and decided to recommend a name change originally, it did so under great pressure from within the School District Administration.

Indeed, the administration gave some committee members the impression that there would be an imminent mandate by Richard Mills to change all Native American logos and names. Two parents were the only members from the community who served on the committee. Once the recommendation was made, it was the responsibility of the board of education to decide the issue. Many residents objected, not only to the name change, but to the manner in which the decision was made, since the board of education did not call for any public hearings on the issue. The fact that a name change was being considered at all was not well-publicized. It was only after much community outcry, did the board of education reverse the decision on its own.

Ultimately, all decisions were made by the school board itself. The school board members are the elected representatives and should seek much more community input before coming to decisions. The fault for the name change debacle lies not within a committee recommendation, but an out-of-touch school board.

Louise Intindoli