ELDRED — The youngest students may be in the best position to get the most out of computers in the classroom, Kindergarten teacher Ginny Dudko says.

Dudko reported to the Eldred Central School (ECS) Board of Education on March 13, summarizing her efforts in the Model Schools Program. Administered by a consortium of the Orange, Ulster and Sullivan County BOCES, the program’s federally funded, tri-county literacy grants have provided software, hardware and training for teachers classroom and curriculum use.

Dudko said in addition to helping her cut hours of time in everyday Kindergarten chores such as decorating and labeling, the program has introduced her students to Internet research and allowed her to personalize curriculum according to students’ needs.

Detailing a lengthy list of educational improvements made possible by the computer, digital camera and software provided by the program, Dudko recommended that the board put more funding into computers for the lower elementary classes, where little has been forthcoming in past.

In other business at Monday’s meeting, rescheduled after a power outage on March 9, the board postponed, for a second month, its decision on joining a BOCES-sponsored distance learning program. The cost of monthly line charges, which were an unknown leading to last month’s postponement, are now said to be $2,762 for video alone and $3,100 if used for data transmission as well. The remainder of the program is largely grant funded.

—Superintendent Candace Mazur reported that the district’s fuel storage tank project has finally been completed and member Norman Sutherland asked that ECS now begin talks with the Town of Highland about shared fuel purchasing. Aesthetically, the storage facility didn’t impress everyone. "They’re a monstrosity," member Andrew Boyar said of the black framework, with its bright-red fire-suppression system.

—The board approved issuing a Request for Proposals for a consultant’s contract for an energy performance audit at MacKenzie School. Costs would be recovered from applied energy savings, Mazur said.