There is likely no school in the United States that isn't discussing next week's presidential elections on some level.

Maybe it is the degree of anger and heat this year which has driven teachers to make this a topic for discussion. But even among the very young there are sharp divisions that have translated themselves into the vernacular of our youngest citizens. Case in point - a visit to talk to the fourth- and fifth-graders at Owasco Elementary School on Monday.

Earlier in the month I was contacted by principal Mickie Post, and asked to help with the impossible - explaining the Electoral College. That's no simple task, even with some adults. The 171 nine- and 10-year-olds have been paying a lot more attention to what is going on this election season than we may be giving them credit for.

Participating students were from fourth grade teachers Cheryl Miskell, Michele Cuddy, Eve MacDuffee, Mary Beth Moulton and Mary Claire Pineau, and fifth grade teachers Michael Losani, Letizia Magats, Donna Fisher and Jennie McNeill. Their comments and concerns seem to be indicative about what they are hearing not only on television, but also, most likely, around their homes. While some of the questions and comments were on the war in Iraq, most focused on keeping taxes low and the domestic jobs outlook.

The results of a straw poll conducted in Owasco's auditorium on Monday, with secret ballots by class, showed how close this election really may be, with President George W. Bush getting 89 votes to 81 votes for Sen. John Kerry. Independent candidate Ralph Nader received one vote. The president did much better when it came to winning the classroom's Electoral College vote. Each class's total voting number gave them a different number of electoral votes, and Bush won almost 60 percent of the Owasco Electoral College.

Teacher Pat Foster said that over the last few years, Owasco's students have been pretty much on the mark when it comes to picking the winners on Election Day. We shall see.

In memory of ...

Retired West Middle Principal Michael Orofino passed away on Sunday. He was one of the first principals to be saddled with the state Department of Education's site-based team mandate that was used to get administrators, community members, parents and teachers at the table to talk about and then make individual schools better. Mr. Orofino handled the task with his usual good will, humor and tact to get the process moving. He was a dedicated teacher and administrator. Those who dealt with him personally or professionally know that this community has lost a great advocate for children.

Mr. Cosentino is a former mayor of Auburn. He can be e-mailed at cozguytho@aol.com.