As a resident of Westbury and a former Westbury public school student I am emphatically pleased concerning the recent announcement of additional funding for the Westbury School District as referred to in the article "Sidikman Announces Additional School Funding" from the Dec. 28 edition of The Westbury Times. I can only hope that these and any future additional funds will be put to use in the best interest of the schools.

The use of school funds is the reason that I am writing this letter. As we all know the Westbury School District does not have an abundance of money. I feel that this money should not be put toward the beautification of the schools, but instead put toward new materials. In the past I have noticed money being spent in areas that were not necessary, while other deficient areas are continuously neglected. I have attended the Westbury School Board meetings and am confident in their ability. After attending other school board meetings I have been able to see how great a committee our school board really has.

Our future is in the hands of the students of the world. They will be the doctors, engineers and business people of tomorrow, so why not start them on the right track? No matter the cost we need to pass all of our future budgets or else our leaders of tomorrow may not be able to live up to their full potential. Despite the fact that these additional funds are advantageous they are not enough to keep the system strong. I feel we need to unite the town to ensure that the school budgets will be passed to help ensure the education of our young minds.

Daniel Forino