Another large crowd turned out at the Roslyn High School auditorium on Monday night to attend a Meet the Candidate's Night forum, one held in advance for the school board election, which is set for Tuesday, Oct. 5.

Seven candidates have filed petitions to run in the special election. Two candidates will be elected to fill vacancies on the board. All of the candidates spoke at the forum Monday evening. The candidates who have filed petitions are: Jeffrey Borowick, Chris Cavaliere, Dani Kline, Keith Kopinski, Alvin Rosenstein, Clifford Saffron, and Jeffrey Sapper.

At the forum, candidates were given a brief amount of time to introduce themselves and basically, state why they are running for the board.

Jeffrey Borowick cited his business experience, while pledging to run on a platform that promised a "return to harmony [and] a return to basics." In addition to providing a quality education, the school board should provide local taxpayers with a "comfort level," in knowing that the district's financial information is "accurate and timely."

As experience, Keith Kopinski noted his current job as "school captain" for safety in the New York City public system. In the Roslyn district, Kopinski said board members should reduce unnecessary spending, secure a level of security preparedness in the schools, perform a demographic study of the district for future needs, and work to amend New York State laws that allow school personnel to receive salaries when they are placed on administrative leave.

As a former president of the Roslyn Heights Civic Association, Chris Cavaliere noted both his work with State Senator Michael Balboni on having a sound barrier wall in that village and his alliance with County Legislator Craig Johnson in eliminating an unfair sewer tax that had long been paid by Roslyn Heights residents. As a board member, Cavaliere said he would be "active, dedicated, and ready to devote my energies to the needs of the children," adding that Roslyn has "one of the best districts and I intend to keep it that way."

Alvin Rosenstein described his longtime residence in Roslyn and his years as a businessman as qualifications for the board. He noted the enormous challenges facing the faculty and administration in these times of scandal. "We will see to it that they achieve their goals," he said.

Dani Kline expressed her "passionate" belief in public education. She, too, said she would bring a special "business acumen" to the board, while also touting her experience on the Roslyn PTA and other district committees. Ms. Kline also said that as a board member, she could "be in [the] schools daily on a regular basis," adding that she is a person who is "strong in opinion, but who also realizes the value of collaboration."

Jeffrey Sapper described himself as a "positive agent for change" and also someone who wants to involve the community more in the district's decision-making process. "The old ways of doing things are over," he said. "We will not rubber stamp [programs] for the benefit of the administrators." Sapper said he would bring a voice of "reason, vision, moderation, and especially experience" to the board. Pledging to uphold the district's high educational standards, Sapper said he would spend district money "wisely and efficiently."

Also touting financial experience was Clifford Saffron. He said his experience as a financial consultant would serve him well in dealing with the problems facing the board, including litigation questions and the ability to organize and analyze information from both the District Attorney's and State Comptroller's offices on the embezzlement scandal. Saffron ran for office in the May 18 election. At the Monday night meeting, he noted that he had brought up the problem of both then-Superintendent Dr. Frank A. Tassone's expense account and the current budget, which was defeated in that May election.

During the question and answer period, the candidates expressed their support for special education programs, with several of them also noting the necessity for fiscal prudence.

Cliff Saffron said, "every item in the budget should be reviewed." While Alvin Rosenstein said that he would be reluctant to cut into programs for children who need such help the most. Keith Kopinski also said that board members should look at "every item in the budget." Not just special education, but busing expenditures, overtime pay, athletic equipment that the school rents, and the district's insurance policy should also be looked at.

Dani Kline noted that special education programs fall under those items, which are mandated by state law. As a supporter of "individualized education," Ms. Kline also said that such programs should be funded within the most cost effective expenditures.

Jeff Borowick claimed the "reality" of past budgets is that there is "no assurance" that funds for special education or other programs were actually spent the right way. On the general subject of budget expenditures, Borowick said that board members need to "capture [budget] information correctly." Board members and the superintendent, he added, should review each district program. The board, he said, needs "an objective look [at the budget] for a collective benefit."

Chris Cavaliere praised both special education and the district's educational programs in general. "We need to save money, but not cut programs," he said. "It can be done. The money has been spent too frivolously." Jeffery Sapper said the board should maintain programs that are cost efficient and in general, "exercise discretion in spending habits."

All the candidates acknowledged the long hours of work that future board members will have to devote to restoring the district's credibility. They also praised the work done by the Forensic Audit Committees, with some claiming that more such committees were needed.

The current board approved the special election at its meeting on August 16 in order to fill the vacancies created by the resignations of Trustees Michael Barkan and Ellen Seigel. The candidate who wins the most votes on October 5 will take Barkan's seat, whose term expires on June 30, 2006. The candidate who wins the second largest number of votes will take the seat of Ms. Seigel, whose term expires on June 30, 2005.