The board of education and superintendent of Schools are deeply saddened by the actions of Mr. John Jackson, former Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations, in stealing district funds and misusing employee time for personal gain. The following was part of the statement released by the Nassau County District Attorney's office: "As part of his guilty plea, Mr. Jackson will make full restitution in the amount of $28,902 to the Mineola Union Free School District... and...is also surrendering his New York State School Business Administrators Certificate to the State Commissioner of Education." In these difficult financial times, the theft of public funds, desperately needed for the education of our children, is especially despicable.

As we promised you, from the inception of the district attorney's investigation, the Mineola Union Free School District has fully cooperated with his office and staff assigned to this matter. In the course of our own investigation, materials were given to the district attorney that aided his investigation. The district is pleased that the district attorney has thoroughly and professionally investigated the matter and has reached closure. We are particularly pleased that our interests in complete and full restitution of the total amount stolen, including the value of employee time, and in the surrender of Mr. Jackson's Business Administrator Certificate met by the district attorney.

Over the past 18 months, the district has developed and implemented many initiatives raising our internal controls standards to a higher level. As a result of our own investigation and an independent internal controls study, we have developed a system where separation of duties and proper internal auditing are an integral part of our normal operations. With this effort, including the creation of school-community committees on finance, zero base budgeting, and inventory control along with the recruitment of new independent auditors, internal claims auditor, district accountant and district treasurer, we believe we have a system in place that will help restore the confidence of residents and taxpayers in the professional administration of the district business office.

Mineola Board of Education

Donna Strein, president

Mary Ellen Williams, vice president

John McGrath, trustee

Stephen Siwinski, trustee

Lawrence Carroll, trustee