As a 15 year resident of Roslyn and having already put one child through the school district with another currently enrolled in the high school, I am dismayed at the community and their reactions to the scandal unfolding. Obviously, no one ever dreamed for or wanted an embezzlement scheme to occur right beneath our very noses.

I have read too many articles recently placing blame on the prior school board, school administrators, and school accountants. Clearly, all these individuals were in a position of responsibility and thus are accountable. However, out of adversity there are always lessons to be learned. In my opinion the true blame lies with all of us in the community. One might ask how I came to such a revelation as well as why. There are several reasons which I will attempt to outline for further thought and discussion among us all.

First, we all were blinded by success. As long as our children kept getting top marks on various national tests and accepted to the finest universities we chose the status quo. Many questions would have been asked of the management of the school district on all levels had we not achieved such long-term consistent results. Imagine, had the stealing not been uncovered at this particular time, if there had not been a large tax increase on property in Nassau County, and the proposed budget was only asking for a 5 percent increase, the budget would have passed in all likelihood.

Remember, the scandal has gone on a lot longer than anyone ever imagined even before the first $250,000 was discovered missing! Where were the questions in 1994, 1995 or 1996 even as recently as 2000?

Second, we all voted in our neighbors to serve on the school board. All of these individuals over the years have had only the best of intentions and put their own children through the school system. In most cases the individuals who served did so not as their primary vocation, but rather in their spare time. This commitment required them to give up time from family, friends and earning their own living. Each time we all voted, the size of the district and the size of the budget kept increasing. Where were the questions then?

Third, are we repeating some of these past mistakes? The recent election brought in two new board members. Both have the best intentions and are acutely aware of the current crisis. However, one has to wonder with a $70 million or $80 million budget where are the business people? Do these new officials or the remaining board members have the background to deal with a "business" of this size? It is wonderful to have a board with individuals whose motivation is primarily in regard to curriculum and education issues, but what about insurance, accounting, finance, legal, and human resource knowledge? In today's society, with our community under a microscope, aren't we being a bit naive to not be more cognizant of these important qualifications in our elected officials?

Finally, why aren't all of us asking ourselves and the current board to establish various committees to deal with these very issues that stand before us? Most boards have a finance committee, an insurance committee, an audit committee, a legal committee, and even a human resource committee that report back to them regularly. These sub-committees should be comprised of individuals within the community who are professionals in each of these specific areas. We all know that this community has some of the finest and most successful individuals around so why not make use of their talents.

I am reminded of an old saying from business that many may be familiar with, "If someone wants to steal from you they will. It is only a question of how far along in the process they are when you catch them." The easy answer at this time is to question what checks and balances were in place and shouldn't there have been others. The pragmatic response is what happened is done, but we are doomed to a repetition unless we learn to go forward as a community shouldering the blame together.

Peter J. Baum