As a lifelong resident of Port Washington (I attended our public schools) and who has worked as a secretary in the district for over 15 years, I find it quite disturbing that the district and the Port Washington Association of Educational Secretaries cannot come to an agreement over a contract renewal (our four year contract expired the end of June 2003).

Having had two daughters who attended (and graduated from) our schools since the age of 2 1/2 (starting with the Pre-K program), I appreciate the importance of our teachers as well as support staff. I worked in the administrative offices on Campus Drive (both in Personnel and the District Athletic Office) for 13 years and currently in an elementary school setting. Not only have I enjoyed these experiences, but I have also found time to volunteer my services as co-president of the PWAES for almost eight years.

I work with a group of dedicated district employees, many who are single parents or widowed, and some women who simply want to work locally so they can be home with their children at the end of the school day rather than working in NYC and making the "big bucks." To insult this group of hard working people by not coming to a settlement is upsetting to many. And in no way (as it was recently reported) do our members earn $60,000/year. As a matter of fact, we have lost many members to other school districts where they are paid higher salaries. How sad for both us and our children.

Residents with children have been assisted in school offices by our members - whether it's to change your daughter's classes in the guidance office at the high school; or when you called an elementary school to have a message of importance relayed to your second grader's teacher: or simply calling the Athletic Office for directions to your son's next football game. If you've ever been a parent or member of the PTA or HSA, who is your first contact?

Please e-mail or write to our board of education members, as well as administrators, and ask that they support our members in efforts to renew our contract.

Support the members of your community as well as your children. We need your help and appreciate your efforts. Thank you.

Evelyn Hooper Garofalo