It appears that all the supporters of Bates-Wilkins and McElrath have to say about their candidates are bad things about Rick Smith and Kurt Schmeller. These Coalition for Glen Cove people who apparently are mostly school employees and their families or the families of PTA officers, have relentlessly insulted Rick Smith and Dr. Kurt Schmeller just for having the nerve to run against their candidates. And what have their candidates said that deserves such support? All Bates-Wilkins and McElrath have said is that they want to increase state aid to the schools. Shouldn't they be running for the state legislature if they want to do that? I don't think, as board members of the Glen Cove school district, they can pass a law increasing state aid.

On the other hand, Rick Smith and Dr. Kurt Schmeller have had the guts to discuss hard issues such as the alleged theft of tax money, the listing of the middle school as "in need of assistance" by the State Education Department and the exodus of students to private and parochial school. If you only listened to Bates-Wilkins and McElrath, you'd think everything in the district was fine. Perhaps that's why the school employees and PTA officers hate Rick and Kurt so much. Because they bring up issues these special interests would rather be kept secret.

Considering how nasty these coalition people are, I wouldn't want them or anyone they supported in charge of my tax money or educating my child. How can they teach our children respect when they can justify such rude behavior to people just for running in a school board campaign. Vote for Rick Smith and Dr. Kurt Schmeller on May 15. They will tackle the hard issues, and find solutions. And vote no on Ms. McElrath's proposition to reduce the school board term to three years. That's just a ploy to help the school crowd get the majority back quickly when they lose it this year.