DERRY— As the School Board has begun the process of looking at long-range goals for the district, it has also prepared itself with a list of more immediate goals for the 2012-13 school year.

However, board member Dan McKenna said there is overlap between the strategic plan and the board’s goals for the coming year.

One of those goals is ensuring the board presents a fiscally responsible budget that is in line with the strategic plan.

“It’s important that what we work on in the budget supports where we want to go long-term,” McKenna said.

Board member Ken Linehan said it’s important that if the board can’t support a budget item that it not be included in the budget.

“It goes hand in hand that our strategic plan’s goals and action items are included in the budget,” he said.

Other goals for the coming year include working collaboratively with the administration to ensure a smooth transition as Laura Nelson replaces Mary Ellen Hannon as superintendent this year.

“We need to understand that we have a new superintendent and a new board and we need to continue to work collaboratively,” he said.

The board is also looking to successfully negotiate a new contract with the union for the district’s educational assistants.

“We also want to continue to highlight community and parent involvement in the schools,” Linehan said.

He said one of the most enjoyable aspects of the board meetings is when school administrators come in and honor parents and volunteers in the schools.

Linehan said the board will also be working on ways to utilize technology more effectively in the district and preparing for the opening of a new charter high school next year.

“The board supports (the charter school) and we thought it was important to include in our goals,” he said. “There is a lot of work between now and next August to set it up and get everything into place.”

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Adam Swift may be reached at aswift@newstote.com.