After receiving a letter from Superintendent Tassone last month informing the taxpaying Roslyn community of embezzlement of school funds by an unnamed employee, I decided to attend my first-ever meeting of the Board of Education on April 15. In response to probing questions from a concerned and angry audience, the members of the board and the board's attorney tried to explain their actions and inactions regarding the theft of what now appears to be at least $1 million at the hands of the former assistant superintendent for business. The board's position appears to be that when they learned of the embezzlement in October of 2002, the accounting firm (which did not discover it) advised the board that the estimated loss was approximately $250,000. The board entered into a verbal "understanding' with the employee that if she returned the monies then she would be allowed to retire (and collect her pension) and that the board would not pursue any further legal remedies (the board conceded that this was a unanimous vote). That is exactly what occurred until an "anonymous letter" was received in February of 2004 in which certain "clues" ultimately revealed that an additional $750,000 was stolen. The case has now been turned over to the Nassau District Attorney's office for criminal prosecution.

While no one is questioning the Board of Education or Superintendent Tassone's commitment to the Roslyn Public Schools, one does question whether appropriate judgment was exercised. I cannot help feeling disappointed and frankly shocked at the actions of this board. They have been less than candid with our community and I would be grateful if they would publicly respond to the following:

* Why was this theft not reported to the police when it occurred?

* Why didn't the board and superintendent inform this community of the theft of our tax dollars at the time it occurred in 2002?

* Why was this thief allowed to collect her pension that she receives to this day?

* Was good judgment exercised by the board by taking the word of a thief and believing she stole $250,000 only to learn later that she lied and had actually stolen an additional $750,000?

* Why is the same accounting firm that did not determine that a million dollars was siphoned off into dummy accounts still the firm that the board is employing presently?

* Why was the school's insurance carrier not notified in 2002 of the loss of these funds? It may make collection now of the outstanding funds difficult if not impossible to obtain through insurance due to lack of timely reporting.

* What kind of example are we setting for our children if we allow thieves to remain unpunished? How can the schools teach our children about cheating, lying and dishonesty when it permits criminal behavior to be pushed under the rug?

* How could it be that over $1 million could be removed from school funds and not be noticed? Is there so much money around that a million bucks can go missing but no department was ever short?

* What safeguards have been implemented to make sure that such accounting manipulations cannot happen again?

* How much extra money is this business going to cost the taxpayers of Roslyn due to the mismanagement by the board? I am referring to additional accounting audits (up to $20,000), legal fees for civil prosecution, mailings to the community to keep us informed, etc.

* According to a handout distributed at the meeting there will be a new appointment of Assistant Superintendent of Business commencing June 2004. His salary will be $160,000 plus benefits." That is almost the salary of the Police Commissioner for the City of New York. Why these extravagant salaries and do we really need this position, especially since all the major expansion projects for the schools are completed? Has this position been vacant since the departure of the previous employee in 2002?

Someone in the audience questioned the aggressive tone that some in the crowd were taking during the session and asked why we could not just "move forward." While no one doubts the good will of the board and superintendent, I would suggest that there is a crisis in confidence in this board. Therefore, examination of their actions is imperative so that the community can be reassured that safeguards are now in place that will prevent such illegal activities in the future.

In conclusion, I would suggest that all members of the Roslyn taxpaying community must ask themselves two questions: Do I have confidence in this board, their attorney who advised them during this entire matter and Dr. Tassone or would this community be better served with new members, perhaps with better judgment and more accountability? Should the Board of Education and Dr. Tassone submit their resignations en masse? A second question is whether this community needs to support yet another increase in the school budget. Since I moved into this community more than 10 years ago there has been an annual increase in the school budget. While my salary has barely gone up, my taxes have more than doubled and my school tax alone this year for my residence is over $9,000! I would suggest that the answer to these two questions is obvious - a new school board, attorney and administration and no increase in the school budget. (I can suggest saving $160,000 by eliminating another assistant superintendent.) It is time for the school to become more fiscally responsible and demonstrate some restraint. Enough is enough!

I look forward to hearing from other members of the Roslyn community, members of the board and Dr. Tassone concerning this matter.

A Concerned Taxpaying Parent