As the deadline to run for the Roslyn School District's board of trustees expired this past Monday, the current school board has revealed that even more money than they originally thought was embezzled from its 2001-2002 budget.

Interest in this year's school board race and the budget vote has been heightened by recent revelations that a former school board employee, who was the Assistant Superintendent for Business, embezzled up to $250,000 from the before-mentioned 2001-2002 budget.

However, the school board has learned that the employee in question may have "misappropriated" an additional $750,000 from the budget. (See "Superintendent's Column," page 5.)

The Nassau County District Attorney's office is currently investigating the entire matter.

Meanwhile, five candidates are running for two contested school board seats, both of which are for a three-year term.

The elections will take place Tuesday, May 18. On that date, voters in the Roslyn School District will also vote on both the school's and the Bryant Library's 2004-05 budgets.

The only incumbent seeking re-election to the board this year is Karen Bodner. The other incumbent, Ronna Niederman, recently announced that she would not seek re-election.

"I've enjoyed my six years on the board," Ms. Niederman told The Roslyn News. "But now is a good time to pursue other activities and to travel more with my family." Included in those activities, Ms. Niederman added, is doing public relations work for Temple Judea in Manhasset.

"I have been very proud to have worked in a community that supports excellence in education," Ms. Niederman concluded.

In addition to Ms. Bodner, candidates who have filed for the May 18 race include Stanley Stern, Judith Wilner, Clifford Saffron, and Geoffrey Goldberg.

A vote on the school budget, as noted, will also take place on May 18. According to Dr. Frank A. Tassone, the district's superintendent, the proposed budget reflects an anticipated double-digit increase in health insurance costs, plus increases in the district's mandatory payments to the state's pension system.

In addition, the district must deal with increased student enrollment. By 2005, school officials project that Roslyn High School's student population will exceed 1,000 for the first time in two decades. School officials believe that will mean increased costs for special education services, plus athletics and arts programs.

The Bryant Library has announced that it will hold a public hearing for its proposed budget. The hearing will take place Monday, April 26 at 8 p.m. at the Helen Glannon Room of the library. Prior to the budget hearing, at 7:30 p.m., there will be a meeting of the library's board of trustees.