With the first day of school for students just days away, the Albion Board of Education met Monday morning to finalize critical staffing and ensure the district’s buildings are ready for the return of nearly 1,700 students. The Board convened for a special meeting at 7:00 a.m. on August 26. The session was dominated by personnel matters, including the approval of new hires, the acceptance of resignations, and the approval of leave requests for the upcoming academic year. **Staffing Changes and Leaves** The Board approved a series of new appointments for the 2024-2025 school year. Notably, Terri Furmanski was appointed to the position of Cleaner, effective August 9. Furmanski, who had been serving as a Custodian at the Middle School, will move into this full-time role with a starting salary of $36,896. The position carries a probationary period of one year. Several support staff positions were also filled to assist in the elementary and middle schools. Kerry Lane was appointed as a Clerk at the Elementary School with a starting salary of $29,250. Additionally, Dawn Voorhees was appointed as a Monitor at the Middle School, while Erika Rush and Katherine Czamara were appointed as Teacher Aides at the High School and Elementary School, respectively. The aide positions will pay $15.60 per hour. All support staff appointments are pending standard pre-employment clearances, including drug testing and fingerprinting. The district also addressed its need for substitute teachers. Olivia Borchert and Holly Klatt were appointed as Long-Term Substitute Teachers at the Elementary School. Borchert will serve from September 3 through November 1, while Klatt’s term runs from September 3 to September 11. On the exit side, the Board accepted the resignation of Jennifer Manley as the Modified Girls’ Soccer Coach, effective August 2. The Board also processed a dozen resignations from substitute teachers and substitute cleaners, a routine end-of-year administrative cleanup. In other personnel news, the Board granted a child-rearing leave request to Allison Howard, a 5th Grade Teacher at the Elementary School. Howard’s leave will follow her maternity leave and is scheduled from September 9 through October 18. **Athletics and Extracurriculars** With fall sports underway, the Board moved to fill a vacancy in the soccer program. Giuseppe (Joe) Navarra was appointed as a Volunteer Boys’ Soccer Coach for the 2024-2025 season. The appointment is contingent upon Navarra receiving his Temporary Coaching License from the state. The district also finalized its lifeguard staff for the upcoming school year and the 2025 summer swim lesson program. A slate of eleven Senior Lifeguards and three Junior Lifeguards was approved. All positions are filled from a list of qualified individuals holding current certifications in Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR/AED, and who have completed required fingerprinting. **Donations and Upcoming Events** The Board accepted a monetary donation of $1,000 specifically designated for the school nurses. This donation will be used to support the health services staff who care for students across the district's single campus. Superintendent Edwards and Board President Wayne Wadhams also highlighted the upcoming calendar events. The district’s administrative team conducted its annual Buildings and Grounds tour on August 5, finding the facilities acceptable for the opening of school. Looking ahead, the district is inviting the public to a "Meet and Greet" reception for new teachers. The event is scheduled for Monday, September 9, at 6:30 p.m., immediately preceding the Regular Board of Education meeting. **Key Dates for Families** * **September 3:** Welcome Back Teachers/Professional Development Day. * **September 4:** First Day of School for Students. * **September 9:** Board Meet and Greet (6:30 p.m.) and Regular Board Meeting (7:00 p.m.). The next regular meeting of the Albion Board of Education is set for October 7 at 7:00 p.m.