Good reason to ax popular school programs

In your editorial "Favorite school programs on the block" [Feb. 22], you stated that the Sayville administrators "were playing a new variation on a familiar tune." Nothing could be further from the truth.

Public schools are subjected to an interminable list of state and federal mandates that are either underfunded or totally unfunded. It is this reality that leaves only those courses and programs that are not mandated as possible cuts for community review. Only those who do not understand, or choose to deny, the impact of these mandates would view themselves as being held hostage by school administration.

We would not be having discussions of cuts if Albany would either fund or relieve mandates that account for more than 13 percent of our budget. The required federal and state reporting of data demands additional and highly qualified personnel in all areas of instructional and business functions. It has reached a level where we are even required to have auditors audit the auditors.

Our graduates attend the most prestigious of colleges and universities. It pains me to think of the options that are left to the community.

Walter F. Schartner

Sayville

Editor's note: The writer is the superintendent of Sayville public schools.