Looking for solutions to save LI schools

I agree with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's proposal to cut $1.5 billion from school budgets statewide ["Hundreds rally against school cuts," News, Feb. 18]. Long Island schools are some of the most expensive in the nation. By combining schools, we would be able to take advantage of economies of scale. New York City has one chancellor, with double the student population of all of Long Island.

Already superintendents are threatening to fire a large percentage of teachers so they can meet their budgets. It's time that our school superintendents did the right thing and consolidated school districts.

Roger Kaufmann

East Northport

I propose a compromise on the question of last in, first out - which requires that the newest hires are the first to be laid off.

Whether in public schools or on other work sites, why not take one from Column A and one from Column B? In this case, Column A would be the workers with the most seniority, while Column B would be the workers with the least seniority.

Eugene Forsyth

Flushing

Parents, wake up! If school districts are forced to make teacher cuts, who is going to suffer? Your children.

Firing the newest, most technologically savvy, most energetic teachers to save money is not the answer. The 124 school districts on Long Island must be forced into consolidation. Having more than 100 sets of superintendents, assistant superintendents, office staff, etc., is a huge duplication of services. There are districts with only one elementary school, one middle school and one or no high school. Yet they have a full complement of administrators.

All over the country there are school disticts that are either countywide or statewide. Their buying power affords them great advantages in negotiating the cost of busing, books, testing, food supplies and more.

When we cut teachers, we hurt students. Sound educational practice is to lower class size so that each student gets more individual attention. Many districts on Long Island may be increasing class sizes to 35, 40 or even 45 students.

Judith Sussman

Brookville

Editor's note: The writer is an adjunct professor of education at Long Island University.