The Black Box Theatre at the Manhasset Middle School was the setting for the forum hosted by the League of Women Voters that allowed the candidates for the single Board of Education seat to answer questions from residents and to introduce themselves to the community.

The evening began with greetings from Jane Thomas, the president of the LWV and the reminder that the budget vote and the voting for the candidates will take place on Tuesday, May 20. The polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. and you must be a registered voter to cast your ballot. If you are unsure of your voter status, call the district Clerk at 267-7724. You can download an application for an absentee ballot at www.manhasset.k12.ny.us (Type "absentee ballot" in the search box.) Completed absentee ballots must be received by the District Clerk no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20. Transportation will be provided free of charge from the train station to the school and back between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. the day of the vote.

Incumbent Pat Aitken and Jack Vivinetto are this year's candidates.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Aitken stated:

"Good Evening. Thank you to the League of Women Voters for hosting this forum, and to each of you for attending tonight - so that you can hear firsthand from the candidates and make an informed decision.

"When I stood at this same forum three years ago, it provided the Manhasset community with an opportunity to be introduced to me: to learn about my perspectives as a parent of three children in the Manhasset schools, to hear my views about the turmoil in the community and the challenges we faced, and to understand how my professional background and personal characteristics qualified me to represent you on the school board.

"With that introduction, through the election process, as well as over the course of the past three years, we have all become better acquainted with each other. The community has learned more about me, and along the way I have been fortunate to meet countless people in our community, to make many acquaintances, and to establish numerous friendships. The common bond has been our values - values that form the basis of our hopes and aspirations for our community, our children, and the quality of education we are able to provide them through the Manhasset public schools. Values that include: the importance of academic offerings - to prepare our youth for life beyond Manhasset; the significance of extracurriculars - athletics, the fine arts, student government, and community and academic clubs; to prepare our children to be positive contributors to society; understanding the consequences of guiding our teenagers through social and behavioral changes, and recognizing that their interaction with teachers and peers impact their motivation and ability to learn during those impressionable years.

"We are in a very different and better place than we were three years ago - yet what remains acute is the need to balance the high quality of education with a responsible budget. We can point to accomplishments in many areas, yet we still face significant challenges that are not necessarily easy to surmount: steadily climbing enrollment; the aging physical condition of our secondary school; determining appropriate curriculum and program offerings, and the funding of school budgets and the related pressures on our property taxes.

"The results of the school budget votes over the past few years continue to underscore the different perspectives within our community. We are part of the same community and we need to seek a compromise - find a middle ground - but without compromising the quality of education.

"Cooperation and compromise can only be based on trust, and transparency and open communication are key to gaining the public trust. I have tried to be accessible for open dialogue, to be a good listener, to ensure that opinions are not ignored, and to increase transparency and disseminate accurate information. Improving communications takes a conscious effort and is an ongoing process.

"The other ongoing process is change. While progress has been made, there is more to be accomplished. I believe my perspectives - as a parent, as a member of our community, and as a professional - bring the right skills to the board to ensure we continue to make advancements.

"I hope you will share that belief and support me in my re-election as a member of the Manhasset school board."

In his opening remarks, Mr. Vivinetto stated:

"Thank you and good evening. Over the past few years it has become apparent that the School Board has ignored large segments of homeowners. The board and its union have continually increased taxes not for the children, but to provide for their own and pay for their mistakes.

"The $30,000,000 in lawsuit mistakes have cost the taxpayer $8,000,000 which was placed in "special funds" and the school district may have to borrow even more to cover their losses. Recent Newsday reports of Superintendents receiving $316,000 in annual lifetime pensions now explain why our pension expense has gone up 1500 percent in the past few years. Union salaries that can increase over 30 percent in one year when you factor in raises on top of automatic raises without regard to merit - when will the spending end.

"The district's denial of a school spending crisis, even when confronted with the worst jobs outlook in a decade, plunging real estate values and a collapse in consumer confidence suggests the community will be better served with a diverse school board that includes financial executives with extensive experience, in particular a trustee devoted to education.

"My opponent is running against her incumbent record and also me. Her record indicates a failure to disclose to the community in a meaningful manner that prior budgets have included an annual $4,000,000 or 6 percent surplus for the past two audited years amounting to $8,000,000. The auditor's report confirms the $8,000,000 allegation. Many Public Trust questions have been raised but not answered. Is this year's budget also padded by 6 percent bringing the May 20th budget to 10.71 percent? What about the $8,000,000 of overpaid taxes for the past two years, will the school board use such funds to reduce future taxes? These are Public Trust questions that need answers before we vote.

"Further, her failure to be transparent is not limited to the annual budget it also includes failure to prepare a five year business plan, no real disclosure on $30,000,000 in lawsuits due to mismanagement, and no community discussion on a union contract that burdens the community with $280,000,000 in retiree healthcare cost, without one penny set aside to fund.

"My running for the school board is welcome news for so many members of the community who have no voice in the process except of course to provide the financial means for the board and its unions to continue their spending spree. I am committed to transparency and accountability through a five-year business plan that continually improves the academic standards in each of those years while at the same time bringing cost increases in line with household income. I will represent all families in the community; families of public and private school children, single people and seniors."

How are you instructing your supporters to vote on the budget?

Ms. Aitken: Community input on the budget process was exceptional. The CAC on Finance held many meetings, the Superintendent was available for community groups to answer questions, I am supporting the budget.

Mr. Vivinetto: The proposed 10.71 percent increase is unacceptable. The auditors claim the budget is $4 million overstated. The budget should have full disclosure.

What is the proposed increase vs. actual results?

Mr. Vivinetto: The 2007 budget was found by the auditors to have $4.5 million more than what was needed, $4.5 million more than what was necessary. Homeowners did not vote for $4.5 million for lawsuits. The school board moved money by private vote.

Ms. Aitken: This 4.71 percent increase is "budget over budget" and is mindful of the current circumstances.

What is happening with the current litigation?

Ms. Aitken: The primary lawsuit is a personal injury case that was filed 15 years ago and has been dormant for some time. The issue was raised two years ago and money was put aside for the protection of the district. The board is operating on advice from professional accountants and lawyers.

Mr. Vivinetto: Litigation based on the outsourcing of the buses will require back pay and back benefits paid to the drivers. Instead of outsourcing, why were there no negotiations? How much do we owe? How much is each day costing us? This shows that running a school district is more than classroom activities. Needed are members with lots of experience in the private sector to run the board successfully. Litigation was swept under the rug and needs to be debated.

In addition to the school website, what could be added to make greater transparency?

Mr. Vivinetto: What is our purpose? Working with and reporting back to the people. There should be quarterly reports in addition to the School Report Card: issued by the state. There should also be more financial disclosure.

Ms. Aitken: In the last few years, more information has been made available. There have been many more Superintendent's coffees. Also, board members are available to explain the budget and other matters. Further discussions were held regarding the unlimited sick leave policy, putting together a five-year plan and keeping up the level of excellence in the district.

"As a proud parent of three children who have attended the Manhasset public schools, I have experience with our schools at ALL grade levels. I have personally seen the tremendous benefit our children receive - the caring support of their dedicated teachers, the academic excellence and high quality of education, and the extracurricular enrichment offered in our schools. I remain committed to what is best for our children and what is best for Manhasset. Yet, it takes more than good intentions and high aspirations to be an effective school board member.

"It takes someone who can apply common sense and good judgment to support the positions they advocate. It takes someone who can weigh perspectives, because they understand the implications of their decisions. It takes strong leadership, yet someone who is fair and who knows how to compromise. It takes a good listener - someone who understands the importance of honestly seeking the opinions of others and who can keep an open mind in those discussions. It takes someone who is decisive - who is not afraid to make a reasonable and objective decision, yet someone who also understands the importance of building a consensus. It takes someone who is collaborative, who knows how to bring people together and unite them to build consensus and to solve problems. It takes someone who is able to think strategically about issues that have short and long term impact. It takes someone with initiative, and the creativity to seek new solutions to old problems.

"As a parent involved in the day-to-day lives of our children and our schools, I surely possess the passion for the positive future of our school district and understand what is important in educating our children. And it is my professional experience - the ability to manage, to lead, to resolve conflicts, to identify efficiencies and to emphasize sound financial practices - that confirms that I also possess the business and financial expertise, as well as the strong leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively serve the Manhasset community as a member of its Board of Education."

"We all may know the challenges facing our school district today - but there certainly will be other challenges that arise tomorrow. On May 20, the community will be asked to select among two candidates - two individuals who have distinctly different perspectives and abilities. I hope tonight has served as a reminder of my talents, my accomplishments and my passion, and to reaffirm that these are the ones best suited to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, and to and keep our schools and our community moving in the right direction.

"I look forward to your support on Tuesday, May 20th and I thank you all for your time this evening."

"Where is the budgetary transparency? We are now being informed by audit reports that prior budgets had 6 percent surpluses built into the numbers, making this year's real budget increase 10.71 percent assuming the same practice continues. As a community, we have witnessed deception, entitlement and highhanded snobbery cloaked in self-righteous slogans - 'it's for the children.' As your Board member, I will work in the best interest of families. I want to give every student the opportunity to succeed and reach his or her academic, athletic and artistic potential. At the same time, I want to give homeowners my personal commitment to work towards annual budget increases that are reasonable and acceptable to the entire community. Now is the time and this is our chance to make meaningful change.

"Tonight I am asking for your support and your vote."