In a letter entitled "Why Question Responsible Cost Cutting (Syosset Jericho Tribune, July 15, 2005), Ira Checkla's comments reflect a tone deaf approach to school board governance. On the one hand, he extends an open invitation to members of the community to express their opinion and ask questions. On the other hand, he takes a negative view when someone decides to take him up on that offer. This is part of an underlying problem in Jericho with regard to public discourse about our schools -- the rhetoric does not match the reality.

People sent a message and voted in record numbers in the last election to show their desire for responsive, professional, ethical, and responsible leadership from the board and the superintendent, primarily as a result of the way they had responded to the community on budget and personnel issues and how they had behaved. The president of the board had insulted the hockey coach at one meeting. At another a board member condescendingly expressed frustration at having to stay and listen to the members of the community speak..

The community elected Claire Hochheiser, just snubbed by the board and the superintendent. This community will no longer sit back and simply accept things. That was the mistake that was made in Roslyn.

Mr. Checkla totally misses the point of my letter, which is that going from a Buick to an Infiniti is not about what it costs but about what it represents.

Given the recent testing scandals in Jericho and the issues over tenure and the budget, I think it is reasonable for the community to question the priorities of the superintendent and the board of education. Are they providing the kind of moral and ethical leadership our community should expect from its leadership?

Being a board member can be quite a challenge. It is an unpaid position that takes much time and effort. I have tremendous respect for those who are willing to go out of their way to serve our community. Criteria for being a good board member include respect for all members of the Jericho school community at all times and in all settings, the ability to have even tempered interaction with all members of the community, and the patience and willingness to listen. If one isn't up to that challenge, then they have no place on the board.

Support for the board of education and its superintendent is dependent on professional, ethical, responsible conduct and responsiveness to the community. When the tone of the administration is more civil, when their process is more open, when their leadership is more self-reflective, and when their actions are more in tune with the pulse of the community, it is then, and only then, that the success of our school district will create the harmony and pride that it should.

Jeff Bernstein