Administrators at East Hampton High School are hoping to do something about climate change — but not the environmental kind. Hundreds of students, teachers, and parents recently took a survey on the education, social relationships, and safety at the school, and the conclusion was that its atmosphere is “neutral.”

It’s a result that Adam Fine, the principal, wants to shift toward the positive. “The only way to get better is to be candid and open about it,” he said Monday, adding there’s more work to be done. “We want the criticism because it’s the only way we’re going to ever get better.”

The survey was the second of its kind for the high school. The first followed the suicide of a student, David Hernandez, in 2012.

“We were like, ‘Hey, everything is hunky-dory,’ and then a student took his own life,” Mr. Fine said. “There was a lot of rumor out there, a lot of discussion on what caused this. What we decided to do, instead of saying there was one cause, was take a look at everything from character education to bullying to name-calling behaviors. . . . We wanted to really find out what was going on.”

Of the high school’s 860 students, 573, or 67 percent, took the survey, as did 175 of their parents. All but two of the school’s 125 teachers and staff members took the survey.

The survey was broken down into categories including safety, relationships, teaching and learning, and environment. Respondents were asked to rate the topics on a scale of 1 to 5. By grade level, sophomores and juniors rated most categories lower than freshmen and seniors.

“Social-emotional security” received an average rating of 2.89 from students, 3.44 from staff, and 3.11 from parents. “Respect for diversity” received an average rating of 3.5 from students, 4 from staff, and 3.75 from parents. “Sense of physical security” received scores of 3.8 from students, and 4 from staff and parents. “Social support from adults” received scores of 3.63 from students, 4.17 from staff, and 3.63 from parents.

The results did not vary significantly from the 2012-13 survey, Mr. Fine said. “Basically the highest level of concern was the sense of social and emotional security. That’s the teasing, social abuse, exclusion,” he said. “There were no shocking surprises, but there were a lot of questions, which should be the case.”

The survey, or Comprehensive School Climate Inventory, cost East Hampton $2,600. It was strongly recommended by the Sandy Hook Advisory Commission, which explored the circumstances surrounding the shooting at the Connecticut elementary school in 2012.

At the April 22 meeting of the East Hampton School Board, Claude Beudert, a middle school teacher who is co-president of the East Hampton Teachers Association, asked the administration to give the survey at the middle and elementary schools, too. “For us, locally, I think it’s important that we know where we are going from K to 12,” Mr. Beudert said.

In an email, Richard Burns, East Hampton’s superintendent, said, “Keep­ing the pulse of student and parent concerns is a proactive way of preventing future problems. Social and emotional issues can be dealt with in a timely way.”

Since the first survey, East Hampton started a Gay Straight Alliance club, peer mediation, and a student “Justice League” that promotes a positive school environment, Mr. Fine said. The administration is planning to launch an “upstander” program to encourage students to make a difference.

“We’re doing a lot more of these things that are really staying embedded in the culture, not just one-and-done things,” he said. “We’ve targeted small group discussions. That’s helped tremendously.”

Cyber-bullying and negative text messaging complicate the process of improving the school climate, Mr. Fine said. That’s one reason why East Hampton has scheduled an event titled Dangers of Social Networking/Cyber-bullying for parents and students on May 13. Presentations will take place at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

What has also helped, Mr. Fine said, is increased attention to mental health. The South Fork Behavioral Health Initiative, which was established in 2014, has been serving a growing number of students, and in March, state officials announced an extra $175,000 to expand its reach.

“It has really brought a whole new awareness of mental health,” Mr. Fine said. “More kids, we find now, are coming to us before they hit crises.”

School boards in East Hampton, Bridgehampton, and Sag Harbor unanimously voted last week to approve budget proposals that stay within state-mandated limits on tax levy increases.

Sag Harbor’s budget is a $37.55 million proposal that carries a budget-to-budget increase of 1.58 percent. The district’s tax levy increase was capped at 2.53 percent, but the tax levy in the adopted budget actually stayed below that level, coming in at 2.49 percent.

Bridgehampton’s budget is a $12.82 million proposal that represents a budget-to-budget increase of 3.99 percent. The associated tax levy is about $11 million, which is a 3.51-percent increase over the current year’s tax levy.

East Hampton’s budget proposal is $66.08 million, which carries a 1.55-percent year-over-year increase in spending. The tax levy is $48.66 million, which is an increase of $773,200 over last year’s tax levy, or 1.61 percent. This year, East Hampton’s limit on tax levy increase was 1.81 percent.

Family Day in the Gardens

On the heels of National Public Gardens Day and in advance of Mother’s Day two local gardens have invited families to enjoy their splendors on Saturday.

LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton will have a free family day with special activities and treats for kids, all set to the soundtrack of live student performances, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. At Bridge Gardens in Bridgehampton, participants in Lois Bender’s watercolor class have been welcomed to take their children along and paint together from noon to 3 p.m. The cost for an adult and child together is $45, with advance reservations and payment required at gardenspiritsNY.com

Teen Writers and Trivia for Readers

Teen writers who have been perfecting their craft in two programs at the John Jermain Memorial Library in Sag Harbor will read from their work on Saturday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A reception will follow the readings.

Earlier that afternoon, at 5 p.m., fifth through eighth graders with a passion for books will gather at the library to kick off the annual countywide Battle of the Books trivia program. Details and a list of books to be read in advance of the Aug. 1 trivia contest will be available on Saturday. 

A Day at the Beach With Scarlet

Kimberly Kleinbaum will read from her new children’s book, “Scarlet the Scientist: A Day at the Beach,” on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the South Fork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton. The self-published book, featuring her two daughters, is geared to children 3 to 8. Ms. Kleinbaum, a former news anchor, will talk about self-publishing after the reading. 

Reservations have been requested. 

Just in Time for Mother’s Day

Gifts and treats for mom will be in the offing Saturday at the Children’s Museum of the East End. Little ones 2 to 6 accompanied by an adult will make mini-cupcakes for their mothers at 10 a.m. The cost is $20 including museum admission, $7 for members. 

At the same time, kids 7 to 10 can create floral wreaths during a drop-off program that runs till 11. The cost is $15, not including museum admission, and $12 for members. Advance sign-up is required for each session. 

Paintings, Mailings, and More for Mom

Mother’s Day will also be the focus at the local libraries. A mom-centered storytime and crafts for 4 to 6-year-olds will happen today from 4 to 5 p.m. at the East Hampton Library. Kids who visit the Hampton Library in Bridgehampton tomorrow from 4:30 to 5:30 will have the chance to make a special painting for their mothers. And in Amagansett, the library will welcome children on Sunday from 1 to 3:30 p.m. to fax, scan, email, or write a message to moms near and far.

In other library happenings this week, Green Meadow Farms will bring bugs, frogs, and other creatures to the Hampton Library on Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. On Tuesday there will be 3D printing classes there for ages 7 and up at 4 p.m. and for ages 12 and up at 6 p.m. 

On Wednesday, families can drop in to the East Hampton Library to play various games from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

East Hampton’s participation in a swimming program for elementary school students will go forward next year, although in reduced form. At Tuesday night’s meeting of the East Hampton School Board, Richard Burns, the superintendent, reported a consensus had been reached to preserve its spirit. 

Officials, thinking the program took up too much class time, had proposed that it be limited to kindergarten. Instead, it will be structured for students in grades one through three in June only, starting with next school year. Kindergarten swimming lessons will remain throughout the year as part of physical education classes. This year, students from kindergarten through fifth grade have swimming lessons four times a year.

“We have a good, viable plan. Everyone’s happy,” Dennis Sullivan, assistant principal of the John M. Marshall Elementary School, said this week.

John Ryan Sr., a former East Hampton School Board member whose son was instrumental in creating the program, called the result “terrific.”

Those who have not yet registered to cast ballots in the May 19 school budget votes and board elections can do so next week in East Hampton, Bridgehampton, Amagansett, and Springs. 

In Wainscott and Sagaponack, residents who are not already registered voters may simply present identification and two forms of proof of residency on the day of the vote in order to cast a ballot. People who are already registered voters in Suffolk County are also registered to vote in the school district elections. 

East Hampton’s voter registration day will be Tuesday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

Bridgehampton’s registration deadline is also Tuesday, between 4 and 8 p.m.

Amagansett’s voter registration day will be Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

In Springs, people can register next Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m.

In each district, residents registering to vote will be asked to bring photo identification and two forms of proof of residency. Acceptable proof includes a state tax return showing district of residence, Suffolk County voter registration card, documentation of receipt of public assistance benefits at a physical address, a paycheck stub showing your name and local address, and a deed, lease, or utility bill. Only United States citizens who have been residents of their districts for at least 30 days leading up to the vote will be eligible to vote. Residents may only cast ballots in one district.

Absentee ballots are available by submitting an application to the school district by Tuesday. Voters can call their districts for more information. Completed absentee ballots are due back to the school districts no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the vote.

Most local school board members whose terms expire in June are seeking re-election, but some face opposition.

Monday was the deadline for prospective school board candidates to file nominating petitions. There will be contested races in East Hampton, Amagansett, Montauk, and Sag Harbor.

In East Hampton, four candidates are running for three positions. Liz Pucci, Christina DeSanti, and Deme Minskoff are running as a slate to retain their current seats. John Ryan Sr., a former board member, is seeking a return to the board.

In Sag Harbor, five candidates are running for three seats. Tommy John Schiavoni and Chris Tice, current board members, are seeking re-election. James Sanford, Stephanie Bitis, and James Ding each hope to win a seat on the board. David Diskin, a current board member whose term is up, is not seeking re-election.

Mary Lownes hopes to keep her seat on the Amagansett School Board, but faces a challenge from Steve Graboski.

Similarly, Diane Hausman, the board president in Montauk, will face off against Carmine Marino Jr.

In Springs, Barbara Dayton is running unopposed. A first-time candidate, she would take the seat being vacated by John Grant.

The Bridgehampton School Board president and vice president, Ronald White and Lillian Tyree-Johnson, and Doug DeGroot are all running for reelection without opposition.

Kelly Anderson of Wainscott and Joseph Louchheim of Sagaponack are both running unopposed to keep their seats.

The school board elections and budget votes are scheduled for May 19 in districts across New York State.

The Sagaponack School District, which educates children in first through fourth grade in its own school and sends those in the higher grades to neighboring districts, has announced plans to provide early childhood education in the next two years. In the 2015-16 school year, a kindergarten class will be added and the district will pay tuition to send children to half-day pre-K programs in nearby school districts. The following year, it will drop fourth grade, sending those children to neighboring districts.

Alan Van Cott, Sagaponack’s superintendent, said the proposed $1,772,505 budget had been adjusted accordingly, with $25,000 for kindergarten equipment and supplies and $42,000 for tuition for a projected six students to attend prekindergarten in Sag Harbor or at the East Hampton Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center. Details of the latter arrangement are to be discussed by administrators, he said, because the Eleanor Whitmore center will have a full-day pre-K program next year.

“We have existing staff to cover the implementation of kindergarten,” Mr. Van Cott said Friday, noting that teachers will develop the kindergarten curriculum over the summer. “We will see ourselves as an early primary school, so we’re going to equip ourselves that way.”

Mr. Van Cott described the move to an early childhood focus as “natural.” Sagaponack is projecting enrollment of about 13 students in kindergarten through grade four next year. Its enrollment this year is 11, while the school is built to house about 16 children.

“It’s a special place, and we can really personalize education,” Mr. Van Cott said.

The Sagaponack School Board also recently approved new tuition agreements with the East Hampton School District, including a one-year contract for grades five and six and a five-year contract for grades 7 to 12.

The Ross School on Monday announced the appointment of two new administrators following what its current leadership described as “two very thoughtful and exhaustive searches.”

Chris Angell, who has extensive experience as a teacher and administrator in private schools in Florida and Massachusetts, will succeed Patty Lein as the head of Ross Upper School. Bryan Rosenberg, a former Ross Global Academy teacher in New York City, has been appointed to the newly created role of assistant head of the lower school.

Mr. Angell currently serves as assistant head of school for academics at CATS Academy Boston, a high school for international students. According to the Ross School announcement, Mr. Angell previously held several positions at Saint Edward’s School in Vero Beach, Fla. During his 22 years there, he taught language arts and history for 4th through 12th grades, coached boys’ varsity basketball, served as director of college counseling, worked as the head of the social sciences department, and served as head of the middle school. He has also taught English and American history and culture in China. He holds degrees from the University of Vermont and New York University.

According to the Ross School announcement, Mr. Rosenberg was a founding faculty member at the School at Columbia University, where he taught the third and fifth grades. He later joined the Ross Global Academy, where he held positions including lead middle school teacher and director of curriculum. Mr. Rosenberg is working on a doctoral degree at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, where he researches “the political economy of schools, the politicization of popular cultural spaces, and the mobilization of youth.” He has also held doctoral research assistant positions and is co-writing a book on the connection between lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender social change and pop culture.

Future meet-and-greet opportunities will be scheduled with both new administrators, the Ross School said.

Residents of the Wainscott School District could potentially see their school taxes drop for the third year in a row if the school’s proposed $3.06 million budget is approved by voters.

Just how large that decrease will be depends upon the results of town property tax assessments, which will not be finalized for several months yet. But next year’s budget, which the Wainscott School Board adopted unanimously on April 15, is the fourth straight budget that includes a decrease in spending and is the third straight budget that includes a decrease in the tax levy.

Stuart Rachlin, the district’s superintendent, called it “a fiscally responsible budget,” and David Eagan, the school board president, said, “It’s safe to say, cumulatively, there’s no district on Long Island” that can claim decreases in spending and in the tax levy in that many consecutive years.

“That highlights the positive side of the uniqueness of our district,” Mr. Eagan said.

The decrease in spending is approximately $50,000 and will be made up using reserve funds, school officials said during the meeting on Wednesday. Rather than increasing the tax levy by about 3 percent, which is what Wainscott’s limit was under the state tax levy formula, the school district chose to decrease it by about 2 percent.

According to a line-by-line budget breakdown, Wainscott’s adopted budget adds $2,000 for library supplies and $5,000 for a robotics program. It also includes about $4,000 for a Board of Cooperative Educational Services program that will digitize the school district’s records, a service that Mr. Rachlin said is needed because the school is running out of physical space for its records.

The school will spend about $31,700 less next year on its contract with Mr. Rachlin, who works part time, and it will spend about $20,600 more on salaries for its full-time and part-time teachers. Spending on employee benefits for administrators will decrease, while benefit costs for the teaching staff will increase. The amount Wainscott pays for the school nurse, psychologist, and other health-related services will collectively decrease by more than $20,000, while the amount the district pays for utilities is expected to increase by about $1,000.

Wainscott residents will have a chance to vote on that budget on May 19 between 2 and 8 p.m. at the school building at 47 Wainscott Main Street.

The future of the in-school swimming program at John M. Marshall Elementary School is unclear, with the East Hampton School District attempting to change it and a former teacher and longtime school board member fighting to preserve its spirit.

In its current form, the program pulls children in kindergarten through fifth grade out of class and into the pool at the Y.M.C.A. East Hampton RECenter, which is just across the street from the school. The kids get a 45-minute swim lesson four times per school year, which includes not just swimming techniques but also education about water safety in general.

Richard Burns, the school superintendent, says the district is retooling the program — not discontinuing it — by offering the school-day sessions for kindergarten classes only, and then sponsoring a two-hour after-school swimming program, with an instructor’s salary possibly paid for by the school district.

But John Ryan Sr., a former East Hampton teacher who sat on the school board for 18 years, says the district is effectively dismantling what he described as a highly important swimming program. One of his sons founded the in-school program six years ago, and Mr. Ryan said its effect has been to “waterproof” local children by introducing them to swimming and water safety.

According to Mr. Ryan, schools in Amagansett, Bridgehampton, Springs, Sag Harbor, Wainscott, Tuckahoe, and Southampton, along with some local early-childhood centers, also take advantage of the in-school swimming program at the RECenter. For many kids, he said, particularly those who don’t live in homes that have pools, these are the only swimming lessons they will receive.

“For our school system to drop this program or really curtail it . . . it’s just devastating, I think, and dangerous,” Mr. Ryan said.

Mr. Burns said the key issue was not the value of the program but its academic cost. The students lose too much valuable classroom time, he said.

“It’s an hour and a half of instruction the week they’re scheduled for swim,” he said. “From an educational standpoint, I just don’t find that tenable anymore.”

He later added, “I look at it as fine-tuning. We’re trying to re-establish parameters again for how to be successful [with the program]. We certainly support kids swimming, to say the least . . . in no way are we interested in axing the program.”

Another issue, Mr. Burns said, is supervision in locker rooms. Most of the supervising teachers are female, and they cannot go into the boys’ locker room.

Mr. Burns said an after-school swim program would be just as valuable. Mr. Ryan disagreed. “The pool will be jammed with kids,” he said, interfering with proper instruction.

Both men agree that the current program should be modified to fit into physical education periods rather than class time. But Mr. Ryan said he wanted assurance from the school district that it will live on for the other grades, not just kindergarten, and he is running again for a seat on the school board to try to preserve that component.

“I want to work with the system,” Mr. Ryan said. “I like the system. I think they’re doing a great job, but they’re wrong in doing this. Until I am satisfied with this particular solution, I am going to push.”