The Roslyn Board of Education elections won't be held until May. However, the candidacy filing deadline is April 15. This year, the three incumbents up for re-election are Dani Kline, Maryanne Combs, and Jeff Borowick.

The first candidate to announce a challenge to the incumbents is Ronald Smith, who recently submitted his biography and statement of candidacy to The Roslyn News, one that reads as follows:

"My name if Ronald Smith. I am a retired superintendent of schools and would like to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for a seat on the Roslyn School District Board of Education.

"My wife Kathy and I have been residents of Roslyn Heights for the past 16 years," Smith said. "Since coming here, I have had the good fortune to meet and get to know many community-minded people living throughout our school district and have participated with them in a number of improvement projects. In the mid 90s, my wife and I joined with our neighbors to create a Historic District in Roslyn Heights in order to preserve the charm of the neighborhood. Last year the Roslyn Board of Education appointed me chairperson of the Budget Advisory Committee (BAC). This year I am assisting the present chairperson and our committee in analyzing the preliminary school budget.

"My professional experience has covered a wide range of administrative responsibilities," Smith added. "I retired in June 2003 after having served for 13 years as superintendent of schools in the Merrick School District. Prior to that, I was an assistant superintendent in the Levittown School District for 15 years. My additional professional experiences have included the following positions: coordinator of Psychological Services in the Levittown District; director of Special Education in the Roosevelt School District; New York City school teacher; Hofstra University adjunct instructor and director of training in the Hofstra Perceptual Training Center (learning disability center).

"Since my retirement I have been a consultant for various educational projects which included: conducting superintendent searches; program director for Nassau BOCES 5-year Special Education Space Plan; consultant to school districts in the development of their Social and Emotional Learning (Character Education) programs and I am one of the founding members of the Long Island Social Emotional forum. I have a Ph.D. in psychology and maintain a small private practice.

"As a district administrator I have had responsibilities for all areas of the instructional and non-instructional programs," Smith noted. "This experience has included: supervisor of various academic programs; hiring of administrators and staff members; supervision of teachers; development of in-district special education and vocational programs; budget preparation and supervision of mental health professionals in both school districts and at the university level.

"My background in curriculum, staff and program development, child development, supervision and intense concentration on budget preparation, has given me the experience to be a constructive and effective board of education member during this critical time in American education and the current crucial need to restore the integrity and reputation of the Roslyn School District," Smith further added. "I believe that a board member must have a strong work and moral ethic while promoting the goals of the school district and assisting in the growth and development of both staff and students. You will find that my career has been characterized by the ability to work effectively with others and I have a commitment to a high standard of excellence both for myself and for those with whom I have worked over the years.

If elected I will use my skills and educational knowledge to assist the board in continuing Roslyn's outstanding educational programs while containing costs," Smith concluded. "I will work in a cooperative manner with community members, staff and fellow board members to maximize revenue sources and contain budget cost increases. I am hopeful that the Roslyn Community will give me the opportunity to serve as a board of education trustee."