I wish to thank the Jericho School District community for once again supporting providing the best educational opportunities for our children by voting "yes" for our school budget on May 16. In addition, I would like to thank the community for voting yes on Proposition #2, the sale of the "Nike" property.

The funds derived from the sale of this property will be put to good use. I look forward to hearing your suggestions as to how the money should be spent. The first opportunity for the public to be heard regarding this matter will take place on June 22 at the next monthly school board meeting.

For those of you who were unable to participate in the public discussions held prior to the school district moving forward with the sale of the property, here are some of the important details concerning the sale which preceded the community vote on the proposition. The district had a market appraisal of the property performed. The appraisal valued the property at $1,930,000. It was noted in the appraisal that the property has an irregular topography and is not easily accessible. The property consists of approximately seven (7) acres. Current village zoning permits two (2) building lots on the property.

Pursuant to law, the district was required to and did advertise the potential sale of the property in the form of an RFP (Request for Proposal). This RFP was published in The New York Times, Newsday and the Syosset-Jericho Tribune. Sealed bids to purchase the property had to be presented to the district by December 12, 2005, at 1 p.m., the deadline set in the RFP. On December 12, 2005, at 1 p.m., four (4) sealed bids were opened. The bids ranged from $2,200,000 to $3,025,000. The highest bidder was awarded the right to purchase the property, subject to the approval by the voters.

Our school district prides itself on open communications with the community. In our effort and responsibility to inform you, the school board and the administration participated in many public discussions concerning the sale of the property at PTA meetings, board workshops, budget workshops and monthly school board meetings. Additionally, every household in the district received a newsletter which contained details about the sale of the property. In fact, in addition to the many school district meetings in which the sale of the Nike Property was discussed, the sale of this property was discussed at two (2) Oakwood Princeton Park Civic Association meetings, a Birchwood Civic Association meeting, a Hamlet Condominium Association meeting and at three (3) meet-the-candidate forums, with varying questions asked concerning the sale, covering issues from procedures to money.

The decision to sell the Nike property was made based upon the school board's feeling that the property was not useful for any educational purpose and that the proceeds of the sale could alleviate the tax burden to taxpayers for future capital improvements the district needs to do.

Once again, I thank the residents of our community who took the time to participate and asked questions about the issues presented by this proposed sale and I thank the community for its overwhelming support of the sale of the property.

Joe Lorintz