By PETE KLEIN

Express News Staff

LONG LAKE - Long Lake residents will get an early preview of the Long Lake Central School District’s 2012/13 budget when the Board of Education meets Jan. 11, 2012.

The board will hold a public hearing at the start of the meeting, even though most budget figures available will be little better than best guess estimates.

The hope is to receive some early input from the public on what areas of the budget could be cut back or should be expanded, with the goal of providing a quality education while staying within the state-imposed 2 percent cap on a tax levy increase.

TECHNOLOGY

Charles Taylor addressed the board Dec. 8 on efforts by himself and other members of the Technology Committee to develop programs to enhance learning in all subjects through the best use of computer and web-based technology.

“It’s necessary for students to have technology skills. It’s the future,” he said.

Taylor also spoke of the cost of keeping computers and the school’s web pages operating efficiently, keeping them safe from viruses and backing up files.

Maintaining the two servers the school uses costs about $13,900 a year but, Taylor said, “Thirty-six percent of this comes back in aid from the Board of Cooperative Educational Services.”

GREEN TEAM

Students Megan Smith and Prudence Dechene asked for permission to start a Green Team club.

The club’s goal would be to make the school and the community environmentally friendly through an interactive educational program that empowers students and teachers to help the environment through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, gardening and composting.

The board gave its tentative approval to proceed with what is needed to become a club, part of which will include a mission statement and recruiting someone to act as its volunteer adviser.

Patricia Ryan-Curry and John Clark were approved as substitute girls’ modified basketball team coaches.

Heather Black and Clarice Glandon were approved as substitute teachers, pending fingerprint clearance.

Jim Piraino was approved as elementary basketball coach.

The board will next meet Thursday, Jan. 12, starting at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria.