(This letter was sent to Mr. Robert Zafonte, president, East Meadow Civic & Community Service Assn. and forwarded to this newspaper for publication.)

This letter is in response to your letter dated July 11, to Mr. Clement Grieco and the other members of the East Meadow Board of Education.

This letter addresses your concerns and allegations. The relocation of Central Administration to the Salisbury Center was fully disclosed as a component of the bond referendum of May 2000. Specifically, the relocation of administration to Salisbury was recommended and supported by the Financial Advisory Committee to the Board of Education as a cost effective alternative to constructing additional space at East Meadow High School or at any other district owned facility.

Secondly, the central administrators conducted more than 30 informational bond presentations to various community groups including East Meadow Kiwanis, East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, CASA and the East Meadow Civic Association. At each presentation, the relocation of central administration to Salisbury was discussed and fully divulged. We reviewed the programmatic and financial implications of the relocations. These programmatic implications included the conversion of office space at East Meadow High School to classroom space and instructional centers. The financial implication included the loss of rental revenue due to BOCES' departure from Salisbury. There is a very limited cost associated with renovating the Salisbury facility for our use and the cost associated with the ongoing maintenance of the facility.

Thirdly, the district developed, printed and distributed various publications and letters to the community, such as "Analysis of Proposed Bond Referendum," "Steps to Learning," and "Superintendent's Letters to the Community" detailing the specifics of the bond.

Your letter is riddled with major inaccuracies that need to be addressed. First, BOCES has the Salisbury facility currently configured as office space, not classroom space. Therefore, no classrooms will be demolished or renovated for office space.

Secondly, we view all of our facilities as suitable for the effective functioning of districtwide administration. The only limitation is space availability. The obvious and cost effective option is to reclaim the Salisbury facility.

Thirdly, we consider all our facilities central to the functioning of the school district. None of our schools should be considered to be "on the outskirts."

Fourth, the board of education along with the Financial Advisory Committee explored all practicable options. In the end, the most cost effective option that is in the best interests of the taxpayer is the relocation of administration to Salisbury.

Fifth, the bond referendum was overwhelmingly supported by the voters of East Meadow. A referendum cannot be rescinded by board action.

In closing, your recommendations would ultimately result in hurting both our students and taxpayers.

East Meadow Board of Education:

Clement Grieco, president

Charles Goldberg, vice president

Ronnie Fauci, board trustee

Gail Jensen, board trustee

David Kaplan, board trustee

Fran Raikowski, board trustee

Barry Rubinstein, board trustee