As a teacher who has taught at Roslyn High School since 1987, I feel compelled to respond to the letter written by Frank Tassone. I find it hard to believe that after all that has transpired, he has transformed himself from perpetrator to victim. Dr. Tassone says, "I know of drug dealers and child molesters who have served far less time."

The damage that Dr. Tassone has done to the people of the Roslyn School District is nothing short of abuse. Let me say Dr. Tassone, what you did bring to Roslyn was a gift for public relations. You did get things accomplished, because you knew your clientele and you knew how to "handle" them - you gave them what they wanted.

The Roslyn schools were first rate before you came and they will continue to be long after your departure. Surely you are not taking credit for Roslyn's property values. If people are flocking the Roslyn schools, it is because of the teaching staff that nurtured the students to their success. Let us not forget the parents of Roslyn who have always believed that education was so important and never put a price tag on their children's education. What made Roslyn the successful and renowned school district that it is should be credited to all the people who work in the Roslyn schools.

I find it hard to feel sorry for you when I see firsthand the damage that you have done. You have created a culture of distrust and turned a district population that prided itself on being ahead of the curve and always willing to invest in their system, to one of penny pinching, micromanaging and disrepair.

Dr. Tassone, you blame everyone for your actions but yourself. You are now claiming that the very people you hired and promoted duped you. No, I think you are too smart to be duped by anyone. You had a good deal in Roslyn, but it wasn't enough. I remember how you have said to the high school faculty on numerous occasions that we had to set an example for the children. What kind of example did you set? You have established Roslyn as the poster child of school corruption.

You came to a high school faculty meeting after the scandal broke and you told us how you were a victim. We all noticed that you could not even look into our faces. What a fraud you are. For 10 years you methodically bilked the district, leaving us with a huge mess. The teachers and the building administrators of Roslyn held their schools together when all this became public. Our students continue to learn, excel and get into the best colleges in this country. You see Dr. Tassone and company, you did the crime, but we're doing the time.

Lorraine Huzar

Social Studies teacher

Roslyn High School