The North Shore Board of Education focused on financial planning in the wake of losing the LIPA revenue, evaluation of its special education program and community engagement in setting goals for 2023-2024 on Tuesday night.

Last year’s goals were grouped into three categories – critical analysis of the instructional program, strategic budget and financial planning, and community outreach and engagement.

“This is really the important foundational work that the board and the district do every year,” Superintendent Christopher Zublionis said.

Board members suggested that community outreach be a continued goal of the board, but also considered the assessment of the special education program, the limitation of technology screentime by students, an external budget and revenue assessment, and increased engagement with the community.

Multiple board members said that while technology is important in the district’s programs, it is a concern how much technology is used and how early it is introduced to younger students. They considered implementing methods to limit screen time by students, whether for academic learning or personal use.

Board President Andrea Macari said that assisted technology could also be better utilized by the district to enhance student learning, while still mitigating the concern with artificial intelligence and its negative influence on student learning.

Financial planning goals were identified as a key focus for the board as Trustee Dave Ludmar mentioned it is the district’s third year in the LIPA revenue drop, which has presented financial strain upon the district due to its loss of a major funding revenue.

“We need to come out of it looking forward as well,” Ludmar said.

Another proposed goal of the board was increasing engagement between the district, the board of education, students, and parents and guardians.

Trustee Rich Galati said this is important when the board is making major decisions like the district’s budget to garner community feedback.

Several trustees alongside Galati noted the low engagement the district had with the community during the recent budget season, which was surprising with a high voter turnout and a marginal passing of the budget.

“We had very little feedback from the community,” Galati said. “Probably one of the quietest budget seasons that I can remember. And then when the vote came around, I know personally it took me by surprise because people were not speaking out publically and they weren’t necessarily taking the opportunities that were available to them to make us aware of their concerns.”

Galati said the board needs to improve upon this in order to not be taken by surprise again and ensure they hear community feedback.

Ludmar also suggested a focus on increased college preparedness for its students, including other post-high school opportunities like trade schools and military programs.

Several board members also addressed the inequalities among students in college readiness, marking it as an element of the goal that is important for the district.

Zublionis said he will consolidate the goals presented by the board Tuesday night which will be further discussed at the next meeting.

The board also discussed its board meeting topics and presentations for the upcoming school year. Proposals included a meeting dedicated to the status and progress of the new strategic plan, a special education status update, different approaches to budget meetings, and student achievement.

While the board proposed potential meeting topics and presentations, no final decision was made on what will be implemented and when it will be presented.

The North Shore Board of Education will meet again at 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 14.