In another example of how the district's fiscal health has been continually improving, the board of education approved a tax levy on Aug. 14 that is slightly lower than projected at the time of the budget vote in May.

As a result of action taken by the board, the property tax levy for 2008-09 will increase by 4.79 percent instead of the 4.87 percent that was previously projected. This reduction was made possible by the board approving an administrative recommendation to apply some additional funds that will be available to the district for 2008-09 in accordance with a letter received earlier in August from Harvey Levinson, the chairman of the Nassau County Board of Assessors. The funds became available because the board of education has required developers (who in the past benefited from a loophole in the assessment process whenever they purchased exempt property) to pay their fair share of property taxes.

Joseph C. Dragone, assistant superintendent for business, said of the tax levy, "Although this small reduction in property taxes may seem insignificant, it is nevertheless emblematic of the extraordinary efforts made by the board in minimizing the tax impact on homeowners while protecting the investment our community has made in the public schools."

In addition, the financial markets have recognized Roslyn's successful efforts to restore fiscal credibility. The district has been able to borrow money for tax anticipation notes at an excellent rate of interest (1.64 percent) due to the recognition of the public marketplace that Roslyn is a good place in which to invest. Combined, the significant savings realized on the sale of these notes and the reduction in the tax levy represent a solid start to the 2008-09 fiscal year for both the children and the taxpayers of Roslyn.

In other news, Roslyn Public Schools welcomes several new members to its administrative team for the 2008-09 school year.

Allison Brown became the new principal at the East Hills School this summer. Ms. Brown was previously principal of the James H. Vernon Elementary School in the Oyster Bay-East Norwich School District. She also served as principal of the Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School in the same district from 2001 to 2007. Prior to that she taught in the Rockville Centre school district. Ms. Brown is a graduate of SUNY Oneonta with a BS in elementary education, and earned a master's degree in special education from Hofstra University.

Mary E. Wood joins the Heights School family as the new assistant principal. She comes to Roslyn from the Northport schools where she was district chairperson for special education. Previously she worked in the Rockville Centre schools as a director of community education and as a special education teacher. In addition to her duties as assistant principal at Heights, Ms. Wood will also chair the Committee on Preschool Special Education. She is a graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh with a master's degree in the teaching of writing from Hofstra and a professional diploma in administration from Queens College.

Claudia Rico is the new science chair for grades 6-12. She taught science in the Baldwin school district, and had a number of administrative and supervisory responsibilities, as well as in the New York City public schools. Ms. Rico has a degree in biology from New York University, a master's degree from Long Island University and a profession diploma from St. John's University.

Elizabeth McLoughlin joins the district as the new school lunch manager. She has a master's degree in food, nutrition and dietetics from New York University and is a registered and certified dietitian. Ms. McLoughlin has worked at Saint Francis Hospital, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc. as well as the Glen Cove school district. Since joining the district late last spring, she has already begun a number of initiatives to enhance the district's food services.