Frank Tassone had respect, affection
Frank Tassone's career has been an extended ferry ride, zigzagging across Long Island Sound from Putnam County to Levittown to Mamaroneck before docking at one of New York's plum educational jobs.
Little in that career foreshadowed the popular administrator's fall from grace this week in the wake of a snowballing financial scandal.
During his 12 years as Roslyn's superintendent, Tassone, 57, was widely liked and respected both inside the district and by the community it served, school officials said.
A thoughtful mediator, Tassone "would listen to anyone," said Charles Piemonte, who will take over as acting superintendent.
While at Roslyn, Tassone held forums with community leaders and students on teenage drinking and drug abuse.
Tassone began his climb up the educational ladder in Westchester County, where he earned a bachelor's degree from Iona College. After working as an English teacher, he put in a stint as an assistant principal and principal in Putnam County before joining Levittown public schools as an assistant superintendent for instruction.
Along the way Tassone earned master's degrees in educational administration and languages and literature and a doctorate in educational administration from Columbia University's Teacher's College.
He spent three years as a superintendent at Rye Neck schools in Mamaroneck before leaving to accept a $177,500 post at Roslyn.
"We all loved Frank," said Denyse Dreksler, co-president of the Parent-Faculty Association at Roslyn High School. "I interviewed him when he was hired."
Tassone met often with parents, asking their advice and making them feel their opinions mattered, Dreksler said.
He had an equally easy touch with area senior citizens, school board president William Costigan said, a rare thing for a school official dealing with people on fixed incomes feeling the pinch of high taxes to pay for schools.
Costigan, who was elected to the board just a few months before Tassone was hired, is still reeling from the evidence of a link between Tassone and a longtime district contractor.
After 12 years "trying to do something good for this community, working alongside somebody who I trusted," he said, he realized "that trust was broken."

Things to do now on LI Rock climbing? Indoor beach volleyball? Water parks? Arts and crafts? NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to spend your winter break.

Things to do now on LI Rock climbing? Indoor beach volleyball? Water parks? Arts and crafts? NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Newsday deputy lifestyle editor Meghan Giannotta have your look at ways to spend your winter break.