I attended the Roslyn Board of Education meeting of June 10 held in the Roslyn High School Auditorium and was so embarrassed and appalled by what I witnessed that I left well before the meeting concluded. Like all Roslyn residents I open my daily paper with trepidation, knowing that I will read about some new revelation of deceit and theft. And, like many residents, I question whether the current board of education has the credibility to propose a budget or engage a new superintendent and hope for a speedy and efficient transition to new leadership.

But the conduct I observed on June 10 brought shame to Roslyn. As Dr. Tassone's letter was read, many laughed, applauded and jeered. And after the board members left, many others shouted insults, screamed and generally acted in a manner unbecoming of our community. I found this conduct bitterly ironic, given that we were discussing the future of our schools, which we hope will teach our kids how to resolve disputes responsibly and with maturity. The students present on June 10 learned from their parents and community leaders to respond to difficult challenges by acting like petulant children.

There will be many more meetings, and complex and difficult decisions need to be made. I certainly understand the anger expressed on June 9. I share it. We have been betrayed by those to whom we have entrusted our most precious possessions, our children. But I hope that our future deliberations will be conducted with a calm, appropriate demeanor, that we will listen to each other, and that those who participate will refrain from acting in ways that defy the values we hope to instill in our children, among them to solve problems by acting with dignity and mutual respect.

Rabbi Michael A. White