New Lebanon’s Schools Make Good Use Of Internet

by Phillip M. Zema
The New Lebanon School Board meeting on Wednesday, December 2, lacked controversy, and Board members were not subject to angry outbursts from the audience. Unlike its Berlin counterparts, New Lebanon’s Board members were not faced with justifying a multi-million dollar referendum; instead, the meeting’s environment was clearly amiable, as it featured a number of positive undertakings, such as a presentation about a recent arts and education extracurricular event, a discussion on the merits of faculty eBoards and suggestions on how to counter the current economic crisis.
The meeting started with a public presentation by eighth-grader Brianna Springstead. She, along with other seventh and eighth-graders, recently took part in an arts and education extracurricular program. The program, which encourages artistic expression and creativity, was focused around students bringing humor from the page to the stage. Accordingly, students would be provided with a topic (e.g. Star Wars) that they could either turn into a comic strip or act out on stage. They could only use pantomimes, which increased the task’s difficulty (and sometimes its humor). Local artists and faculty members assisted with the program, which culminated with a final show on November 17. It turned out to be a great experience for everyone involved.
High School Principal Leslie Whitcomb then discussed the District’s goal of utilizing modern information technology. Through internet resources, such as faculty eBoards (i.e. accessible faculty websites that provide students and parents with assignments, useful links and other academic-related information), students can get valuable course related materials while at home, and parents can be easily informed about their child’s learning experience. Moreover, since college instructors often use computers as instructional tools, eBoards help prepare students for post-secondary school academics as well. Principal Whitcomb praised several teachers for their useful eBoards, and the Board was noticeably enthusiastic about the eBoards’ academic advantages.
Impact Of The Economy
After the presentations, New Lebanon’s Business Administrator, Carrie Nyc-Chevrier, talked about New York State’s growing debt and the economy’s potential impact on the District. Although Governor Patterson and the State Legislature are still debating budget cuts, by the 2012-2013 school year, the deficit could reach over $15 billion. This problem, along with a slight decrease in New Lebanon’s tax base, could have a substantial impact on the District. While the school has taken proper precautionary measures and appears ready to weather future economic obstacles, expenses and taxes may increase. Their goal, nonetheless, is to keep any increase in tax levies as close to zero as possible.
In closing, there was a brief discussion on the Union Free School off of Route 22. The school has not been used in nearly 40 years and needs repairs. If funding for renovation cannot be generated, the school may be demolished. No measures were taken at this meeting, however, and discussion of the school’s future will continue in January.
Concerts
The elementary school has its holiday concert on December 10 at 7 pm. It will be preceded by a 6:30 school art show. The high school’s winter concert will be held on the 15th, and it starts at 7 pm as well.