In a letter appearing in [the Aug. 19, 2004] issue of The Westbury Times entitled "State Should Rethink Audit," Helen Meittinis makes some misleading remarks.

Firstly, she attempts to puff up the partial East Meadow School District audit of 2002 declaring "the state auditors were on site for six months." In actuality, the sole auditor was in the district's administrative offices for limited time periods during those months and no one has yet suggested that ours was the only case he was working on.

Secondly, she claims that the "allegations which sparked the audit were unfounded." In actuality, that audit was a limited examination of district expenditures, based upon the administration's very noticeable raising of district taxes, cutting of student services and programs and laying off of teachers. Although narrowly drawn as aforesaid, it lead to the state comptroller recommending that some spending practices be halted and to some board members having to reimburse the district for various improper expenditures.

Thirdly, Ms. Meittinis suggests with a clearly unwarranted measure of cynicism that the state should "study the backgrounds of its sources." And yet, she declines to reveal her own background as an employee of the East Meadow School District.

Finally, Ms. Meittinis is correct in recommending that the "State Should Rethink Audit." It should conduct a forensic audit, not just another partial one covering only a one- or two-year period. Indeed, with 24 years having past since the last one, the hardworking and overburdened taxpayers of this community deserve no less.

Robert J. Zafonte

President, East Meadow Civic Association