I watched this year's campaign for Jericho school board members very closely and with great interest. I was and am very concerned about the direction that the Jericho School Board is taking, in particular, with respect to the needs of children with special needs. The failure of the superintendent to grant tenure to Gerard Cairns, the high school principal, and to Claire Hochheiser, the curriculum associate for special education, two individuals who do an outstanding job of caring for children who do not easily "fit in," does not bode well for our children.

That the voters showed their support for Claire Hochheiser by electing her to the Jericho School Board is evidence that the community supports quality education for all children and that the community clearly supports continued quality special education. If we can't have Claire as our curriculum associate for special education, then we will benefit from her wisdom, experience and expertise as a member of the board of education.

Thank you to everyone who came out to vote--over 2,400 of you. In particular the students who worked so hard for Claire Hochheiser and the parents, faculty and staff who provided much needed support. Remember that next year we have the opportunity to elect two more school board members. It is time for our students to come first - it is time for change to continue.

Patti Greenberg