The East Hampton School Board convened a nearly two-hour education forum on Tuesday night, during which it explored the possibility of expanding its technology programs while facing lean financial times.

Richard Burns, the superintendent, explained that the district has cut $5 million in recent years since the imposition of the statewide 2-percent tax cap, while also adding classes in robotics, computer programming, and coding. But he foresees another challenging year ahead, with “probably a $600,000 increase budget to budget.

With about two dozen parents and teachers in the audience, Mr. Burns saw it as a rare opportunity to elicit community feedback. “What concerns do you have that will help us make decisions and judgments when we start looking at the budget in a more thorough manner?”

Robert Tymann, the assistant superintendent, led the S.T.E.M. presentation (science, technology, engineering, and math). He first discussed national science standards, describing it as a direction in which the district was already headed. “Anything that can be done that’s repetitious can be done with an algorithm and a computer program,” he said. “The instructional model has to change.”

A hands-on science curriculum is already underway in grades 3 to 8, and this year the curriculum is being expanded to the younger grades, including the eventual rollout (funds permitting) of Bee-Bot, a beginning computer coding program. Looking ahead, the district also hopes to begin a junior Lego league in conjunction with Project Most, an after-school program at John M. Marshall Elementary School.

Besides offering coding in the younger grades, Mr. Tymann described a forthcoming “invention convention,” in addition to expanded offerings for the East Hampton Middle School’s Science Olympiad team and a greater array of computer programming and robotics classes in grades 9 to 12.

Mark Mendelman, an East Hampton High School graduate who studied engineering in college and a parent of two children at the Springs School, said the news was “a long time coming.” Besides coding and programming classes, he advocated for other offerings, including 3-D modeling, chemical engineering, and energy.

“We need the teachers of tomorrow, but need them right now,” urged Mary McPartland, a parent. “Our children are already there.”

Chris Merkert, who teaches science at the middle school, said he had retooled his entire approach to teaching over the past five years. “I spent 15 years doing it the old way. I forced myself to change,” said Mr. Merkert. “From a learner’s perspective, it’s the way to go.”

Stephanie Lynch, a parent of three, said a particular challenge was how to keep teachers ahead of the ability levels of their students. She urged the district to pursue various technology grants, including corporate donations. Suzanne Spencer, a parent of two, also asked that the district be more specific in terms of exactly what resources are needed.

To be sure, expanding such offerings requires additional funding. “We will have to cut professional development,” said Mr. Burns, explaining that the district simply does not qualify for many technology-based grants due to the socioeconomic levels of its residents. “We’ve already cut the pens and pencils. We don’t even have proper oboes for our kids to play on.”

Earlier in the night, the board swiftly tackled other business, speeding through a truncated agenda.

Though LTV records the board’s twice-a-month meetings, its current agreement does not include the budget working sessions, which begin in late January. The total cost of recording the seven extra sessions is $1,400, and  the board welcomed local businesses or individual sponsors to cover it.

 The board will next meet on Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m.

CMEE, Sima, and a Ballerina

Finger painting is always fun, but when you make your own finger paints it’s even better, and on Saturday at 10 a.m. kids 2 to 6 can do just that at the Children’s Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton. After mixing the paints, they will create their own masterpieces. The cost is $15, including museum admission, or $10 for members. On Sunday at the museum, Sima will read stories about fall at 11:30 a.m. The story time is free with museum admission.

Looking ahead to Friday, Nov. 28, CMEE will host Katharine Holabird, the creator of Angelina Ballerina, as she reads from her latest series of “Twinkle” books at 10 a.m. The cost is $15, free for members, and advance reservations are a must, as spots on this day-after-Thanksgiving event usually sell out.

So Many Library Programs

As the weather turns cold, the libraries get busy, and this week there is plenty for kids to do at the local libraries.

Montauk will have games, crafts, and toys on hand for the whole family on Saturday from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sixth through 12th graders who help out can earn community service credits.

In Amagansett, Legos and games are back on the schedule for Thursdays at 4 p.m. for kids in kindergarten through third grade, and there’s a turkey story and craft time on the schedule for Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

In East Hampton, babies and toddlers up to age 3 can join in a music program tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. In the afternoon at 3:30, children 4 and older will make artwork inspired by Rene Magritte. “Pieces of April” will be shown during a teen screening on Wednesday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The PG-13 movie takes place at Thanksgiving and stars Katie Holmes. Kids 4 and older will explore the wonders of wood during a program on Friday, Nov. 28, at 1:30 p.m.

At the Hampton Library in Bridgehampton, children 4 and up can “finish the picture” in an art program tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. A drop-in puzzle-piece mural project will be going on all week at the library for kids in seventh grade and above. There’s a Hampton Library story time for little ones at the Madoo Conservancy in Sagaponack on Monday at 11 a.m., and harvest cake pops are on the menu for kids 12 and up on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the library. On Friday, Nov. 28, teens can head to a 1 p.m. screening of “Divergent,” also rated PG-13.

Critters in Winter

How do animals prepare for snow? Where do bugs go in winter? The South Fork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton will answer those questions during two programs on Saturday. Lodo the River Otter and his puppetmaster, Crystal Possehl, will read from “The Big Snow” by Berta and Elmer Hader and talk with 3 to 5-year-olds about where birds go in winter, how mice and rabbits get through the cold months, and more at 10 a.m.

Tyler Armstrong will be the answer man during a bugs-in-winter program at 2 p.m. that day for kids 6 to 8, heading out of the museum and into the field to find bugs’ secret hiding spots. Then kids will make birdseed ornaments to take home. There’s a $5 materials fee for the program.

Recycled Art Extravaganza

The Parrish Art Museum’s annual fall festival on Sunday will be a recycled art extravaganza. The fun begins at 10:30 a.m., when Steven and William Ladd, whose exhibition “Mary Queen of the Universe” is at the museum through January, work with families to make scrolls from bits of discarded fabric.

Bash the Trash will lead visitors in making musical instruments from recycled materials, or attendees can make woven artworks inspired by “Alan Shields: In Motion,” another museum exhibition.

El Colegio del Cuerpo, a contemporary dance troupe in residency at the Watermill Center, will perform from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Parrish and then teach a dance workshop. The Watermill Center and the Children’s Museum of the East End are collaborating with the Parrish on the festival.

Tickets cost $10, but Parrish members, children, and students will get in free. Advance registration has been suggested.

Clinics and Classes at Sportime

School may be out for Veterans Day on Tuesday, but that doesn’t mean the kids have to sit at home all day. The Sportime Arena in Amagansett will keep them moving with dodgeball, basketball, soccer, kickball, flag football, and more from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $65; siblings get a 5-percent discount. Sportime will offer a similar camp on Friday, Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving.

The next eight-week session of kids’ sports clinics and classes at the Sportime Arena will start on Monday, with programs for kids as young as 3.

Monday offerings are flag rugby for ages 6 to 13, from 4 to 5 p.m., and flag football for 6 to 12-year-olds from 5 to 6. Tuesdays bring a multisport program for 3 to 5-year-olds from 4 to 4:45 p.m., inline skating for ages 4 to 9 from 5 to 6, and roller hockey for kids 6 to 12 from 6 to 7. Friday evening dodgeball, from 5 to 6, will start on Friday, Nov. 14, for ages 9 to 12. On Saturdays starting Nov. 15, there will be a soccer clinic for 5 to 12-year-olds from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and baseball for kids 6 to 12 from 11 a.m. to noon. The soccer clinic costs $175; all others cost $150.

Registration can be made in person at the Abraham’s Path facility, or online at sportimeny.com.

Shinnecock Dancers Alight

The Shinnecock Dancers, dressed in traditional attire, will lead a family dance workshop at the Children’s Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton on Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The cost is $20, or $10 for members of the museum. Space is limited and advance sign-up has been suggested.

All About Eelgrass

Eelgrass beds and the animals they provide a habitat for will be the subject of a South Fork Natural History Museum program for young naturalists 8 to 12 on Saturday in Bridgehampton. At 1 p.m. Tyler Armstrong will talk about these important underwater forests, where seahorses, scallops, and blue crabs thrive. He will work with kids on ways to help protect them, too.

Children 3 to 5 will perform experiments with magnets and make a “magic trick” using things found around the house on Sunday at 10 a.m. There is a $3 materials fee. Reservations are required for both programs.

Sock Turkeys, Silly Words

At the local libraries this week, silhouettes, sock turkeys, and silly words are on the agenda.

The Hampton Library in Bridgehampton will have kids 4 and older doing silhouette art tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. On Monday, the library hosts a story hour at the Madoo Conservancy in Sagaponack.

A silly word story and craft are on tap at the Amagansett Library on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. And on Wednesday at the East Hampton Library, kids 4 and older can make turkeys from socks from 4 to 5 p.m. Advance sign-up has been requested for all.

East Hampton High School was evacuated yesterday morning around 9 a.m. after a threat was discovered written on a bathroom mirror. Students were allowed to return to class about an hour and 45 minutes later after police and school officials searched the school.

“Police and staff at the school have deemed it to be safe,” said Town Police Capt. Chris Anderson. He declined to provide the details of the message, but called it “a very nonspecific threat.”

“At this point, we do not know the length of time that particular threat has been present,” Captain Anderson said. “The building is clear, and the investigation is continuing.”

Parents of all children in the district were notified that the evacuation was in progress via an automated message from the district’s superintendent, Richard Burns, just after 9, and a message was also posted on the district’s website.

Patrol officers worked with the school resource officer and school personnel to conduct a “full sweep” of the school, where they looked for weapons or bombs. Specialized units, like a bomb squad, were not brought in. 

“After a comprehensive search, the high school has now been deemed safe for students to return to their classrooms,” Mr. Burns posted on the district’s website mid-morning yesterday. “The district will always err on the side of safety,” Mr. Burns said in the message.

Students were ushered to the bleachers near the football field, while the search was conducted.

For Day of the Dead

The Mexican holiday Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, will be celebrated on Saturday at La Fondita in Amagansett, where kids can decorate paper skulls, play games, and enjoy some traditional Mexican treats from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The rain date is Sunday.

Rain or shine, the restaurant will be serving up specialties like pork and chicken tamales, chicken in red mole, churros with chocolate, and a warm pineapple drink all weekend. The Day of the Dead program, offered with the Golden Eagle art store, costs $10 and will benefit a local family. Reservations can be made by calling the Golden Eagle in East Hampton at 324-0603.

On Whiskey Hill

Get out the refractometer and the pH test kits. Crystal Possehl of the South Fork Natural History Museum in Bridgehampton will lead kids on a scientific exploration of the Whisky Hill nature trail in that hamlet on Sunday at 10 a.m. Participants will gather information about the soil, water quality, elevation, and more using all sorts of scientific tools and will record their observations to discuss later. Advance registration is required with the museum.

Singing, Dancing, Crafts

A music program at the East Hampton Library on Friday, Nov. 7, will have kids 1 to 3 singing and dancing from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Later that day, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., children 4 and older can make autumn leaves candleholders. Advance registration has been requested for each program.

Spooky Story

Canio’s Books in Sag Harbor will host a spooky story time for critters 4 and older on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Tricks and treats have been promised, too.

The East Hampton Town Anti-Bias Task Force is sponsoring a student film contest for 3rd through 12th graders. Films must be between three and five minutes long and should address one of three topics: anti-bullying, diversity, or accepting others. Projects can be done individually or as a group. All who participate will receive a certificate giving them five hours of community service credits.

Films can be animation, live-action, or any combination of techniques, and can be in English, Spanish, French, Mandarin, or another language (with subtitles). Registration forms are due by Nov. 15 and completed films must be emailed to [email protected] by Jan. 31. Jack Perna, the superintendent of the Montauk School, can answer questions by phone at 668-1107.

Emotions ran high during a two-hour Springs School Board meeting on Monday night, during which time a recent state comptroller’s audit was discussed at length. Auditors concluded that Springs had accumulated an unrestricted fund balance nearly four times the allowable amount.

By 2012-13, the unrestricted fund balance, or rainy day fund, had ballooned to $3.8 million, or nearly 15 percent of the $25 million budget. State law requires that such funds be limited to 4 percent.

The state audit also recommended improved oversight of employees’ sick leave accruals. All told, the audit found that “sick leave balances were overstated by a total of 139.25 days, with a value of $44,430.” It also found that the district had overestimated expenditures by $4.6 million between fiscal years 2011-12 and 2012-13.

A corrective action plan is now under way, with state law requiring a formal response within 90 days of receiving the report. 

Carl Fraser, who was hired by the district as a consultant in September, and who formerly worked as East Islip’s assistant superintendent for business, is tasked with correcting the district’s financial standing. His pay is a per diem rate of $700. As a retiree, he is capped at working 42 days, or earning $30,000 each calendar year.

“We’ve already started to correct financial conditions,” urged Mr. Fraser. “We’re moving in the right direction,” who predicted that the 4-percent unrestricted fund balance could be achieved during the next budget cycle. He is also at work on overhauling its attendance process. “We have a lot of work ahead of us,” he concluded, noting that a corrective action plan would be implemented by year’s end.

In other news, John Finello, the district’s part-time superintendent, has finally secured a necessary waiver from the New York State Education Department. Jonathan Burman, a spokesman, confirmed that the waiver had been approved on Monday for Sept. 1 until Dec. 31. Come 2015, the position will be full time and will no longer require such a waiver, since Mr. Finello, a retiree, will turn 65.

“We’re faced with a situation where we’re trying to watch enrollments that are increasing, with expenditures increasing, but the state limiting levying,” said Mr. Finello, of the district’s financial predicament. “It becomes an increasingly difficult situation for all districts — but especially for districts with small budgets. One step in the wrong direction can create a problem that’s difficult to undo.”

Earlier in the meeting, Kate Rabinowitz, the mother of Anna Lytton, a 14-year-old Springs student who was killed in June of last year, updated community members on the creation of the Anna Lytton M. Foundation for Arts and Wellness. “So much of who she was is because of Springs School,” said Ms. Rabinowitz, adding that the foundation will offer a sample of yoga, nutrition, wellness, and mindfulness classes on Nov. 4 to teachers and staff. The foundation will assist interested teachers in bringing such materials into their classrooms. “I’m excited to see these programs come back. It’s good for me to be here, too.”

Elizabeth Mendelman, the board president, also announced that the school had recently received a $554,000 grant from the New York Department of Transportation, as part of the Safe Routes to School Program, to improve the Gardiner’s Avenue, School Street, and Springs Fireplace Road intersection.

And following a similar change of policy in East Hampton, the board said that going forward, both notice of committee meetings and minutes would be posted on the school’s website. Currently, the district only supplies minutes from its monthly school board meetings.

After last week’s report of enterovirus at Southampton Elementary School, and subsequent school closure, Debra Gherardhi, the school nurse, confirmed that students could be admitted to Springs School, so long as they show proof of immunizations or immunizations in progress. She also emphasized that enterovirus is “just like the flu,” urging families to follow basic hygiene, including the frequent washing of hands.

The board will next meet on Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.

During Tuesday night’s meeting, the East Hampton School Board approved environmental assessments for the construction of new security vestibules at the front entrances of each of the district’s three schools.

“We’re upgrading the entrances to all three buildings,” said Jackie Lowey, a board member. “It’s part of the security audit that was discussed during executive session. This is the result of those conversations.”

Unlike the Springs School, which recently completed construction of a new vestibule at its front entrance, the plans for which were openly discussed during several public sessions, East Hampton board members declined to discuss the issue in further detail. It was the first time such vestibules had been mentioned during a board meeting. In addition, no information was provided as to the ultimate cost of each vestibule.

Two months after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut in December 2012, the board hired Michael J. Guido Jr., a Rocky Point architect, to conduct a security audit at each school. The audit’s findings have not been publicly discussed, though $1.43 million was set aside during last year’s budget negotiations to tackle the recommended fixes. In addition, per the audit’s findings, the district made from 7 to 12 procedural changes at each school — often at no cost to the district.

In other news, Elizabeth Reveiz, who directs the district’s English as a second language program, said that the family literacy classes, which are offered during evening hours, had received an “overwhelming enrollment,” with 100 participants now taking classes. Four sections are now being offered, with each class filled to capacity. She also said that an E.S.L. conference, which the district is organizing at Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus on Nov. 4, already has 100 registered teachers from various parts of Long Island.

Earlier in the meeting, the board appointed Barbara Bock and Karen DeFronzo, formerly paraprofessionals, as teacher’s assistants. Both positions pay annual salaries of $41,636. In addition, Jose Tovar and Luke Goodstein were hired as computer technicians. The board also accepted a letter of retirement from Kathy Falkenhan, a senior clerk typist, effective Dec. 31.

The board approved an orchestra and jazz band trip for 19 students to Philadelphia and Dorney Park, an amusement park in Allentown, Pa., from April 24 to 26. The cost of the trip is $11,000, which will be offset by fund-raising. In approving budget transfers, the board tabled a request for an additional $4,000 for an elementary school play, following the urging of Ms. Lowey.

The meeting started out with board and audience members applauding Deme Minskoff, the newly appointed board member, who will serve until the election in May. Fifth graders from the John M. Marshall Elementary School gave a brief presentation in honor of school board recognition week.

No public comments were made.

The board will next meet on Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m., when external auditors will present their findings. Looking ahead, a previously scheduled education forum will now take place on Nov. 19.

Backpack Adventure

Most of the fun for kids this week is of the Halloween variety, but those looking for something else may find it at the South Fork Natural History Museum on Saturday, when Crystal Possehl leads kids 8 to 12 on a backpack adventure in the Vineyard Field behind the Bridgehampton museum. Kids will use binoculars, magnifiers, a compass, and other outdoor tools to observe and record their findings starting at 10 a.m. Reservations have been requested.

For Future Baby Sitters

Ask any parent of young children and they’ll tell you there’s always a need for a good baby sitter. Sixth through eighth graders can learn what it takes to become one during a three-hour workshop on Saturday at the East Hampton Library. The class, which starts at 1 p.m., will include hands-on activities, cover skills and responsibilities necessary for the job, and include a course certification. Kids 4 and older can decorate Halloween cupcakes at the library next Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. Advance registration is required for both offerings.

Looking ahead, the Family Service League will sponsor a free, all-day workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Springs Presbyterian Church on Old Stone Highway in East Hampton. Titled Positive Parenting with a Plan, parents and professionals have been  invited to discuss such topics as children’s emotional well-being, strengthening families, and establishing a collaborative environment for addressing children’s issues. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. The workshop, which is funded through a grant from the New York State Office of Mental Health, will take place from 9:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The Family Service League, which operates a clinic East Hampton, is sponsoring the workshop as part of a larger community health project now under way at the Springs School. The project runs in eight-week cycles, which will repeat throughout the school year, and targets potential at-risk students in younger grades, while also involving their families. The aim of the community-based support program is to decrease referrals to its already-crowded clinic, while targeting younger children in need of help — and before such problems can escalate as they grow older.

Matthew Johnson, a mental health practitioner, who has lectured extensively on child and adolescent health issues and improving families, will lead the workshop. Those interested in attending are asked to R.S.V.P. to Donna Altonji by Oct. 29: [email protected].