Could the recent chill in the air across Long Island reflect a collective sigh of relief among the 116 school districts that didn't get "outed" as Mepham was, rather than the change in seasons? It is hard to believe that no one knew what was going on with the Mepham program. It is my experience that school districts know all too well what goes on inside their boundaries.

It is easy to lay the blame for school violence squarely on the shoulders of the school districts. Schools, however, only reflect the districts they serve. I believe they have an obligation to educate their constituents. They cannot do this if they do not share information. Their denial only serves to delay solution.

School administrators need to inform their communities about what is going on in their domain. They need to challenge their communities to join them in developing solutions to their problems and gain their confidence to help implement the solutions. They need the courage to help the community understand when they are mistaken in their zealousness for their children.

Schools must challenge; communities must respond. Together they can provide healthy environments for children to develop into responsible adults. The schools must take the first step in acknowledging the problems and sharing their information. Whether the community wants to hear it or not.

Larry Tietz