New Lebanon Student Honored By School Board

by Phillip M Zema
The New Lebanon Board of Education meeting highlighted many positive things happening throughout the School District. Both the elementary and high school appeared to be doing well. The Board took time to honor a promising New Lebanon student, and the New Lebanon Historical Society spoke about the importance of preserving the Union Free School building. Moreover, despite the struggling economy and the possibility of State budget cuts, an audit report revealed that the NLCS District’s financial situation is outstanding.
Geneva Furlano, a New Lebanon High School student- athlete, received a letter of commendation from the National Merit Scholarship Program. The commendation is given to students who show academic promise and have proven themselves in the classroom. Only students who rank in the top 5% nationally are eligible, and the program is meant to enhance the student’s career and academic opportunities. The Board took time to honor Furlano and emphasize that she is not only a great student, but an outstanding person and three-sport athlete as well.
Scott Preusser provided a positive audit report of the District. Preusser was pleased to announce that New Lebanon has managed its finances well, as the District has consistently prepared and executed its budget and has prepared for future economic problems. The District has been diligent with its reserve funds, and in case monetary emergencies arise, New Lebanon has the money needed to offset any potentially harmful economic scenario. Preusser reported that, comparatively speaking, the District is better financially prepared than other districts.
The Union Free School building just past New Lebanon High School on Rt. 22 has not been used since the 1970s, but the New Lebanon Historical Society would like that situation to change. Helen Burton, the Society’s President, expressed concern that if measures were not taken to preserve the building, which is owned by the District, it will be destroyed. She reported that the school still has great lighting and its notorious Mother Goose Mural is still well preserved. While the Society does not expect the District to provide the necessary renovation funds, it would like the school to take measures to help preserve the building. Ideally, the former school, which is registered as a New York State historical building, could be a community/senior center and/or education museum or it could satisfy some other community need. Burton emphasized that State grants could provide the monetary resources necessary to renovate the Union Free School building.
New Lebanon’s residents should be pleased to hear that many educational and extracurricular events are taking place, such as the Fall Family Festival at the Walter B. Howard School and Red Ribbon Week, which starts November 16 and is designed to encourage healthy and safe life choices.
In closing, the Board encouraged New Lebanon’s residents to come to the meetings, as they provide an opportunity to see how the District’s tax income is being invested. They fall on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.