🎓 Board of Education
Albion Board Hires New Tech Coordinator, Staffs Up for Start of School
The Albion Board of Education met early Monday morning to finalize staffing and safety protocols just days before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. The board approved the appointment of a new Technology Coordinator and added several support staff to the elementary and high schools.
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved hiring Giuseppe Navarra as Technology Coordinator with a starting salary of $66,946.
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Hired four new Teacher Aides and three new Monitors for the Elementary and High Schools.
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Accepted a resignation from Elementary School Monitor Samantha Hand, effective Sept. 1.
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Reapproved confidential Building-Level Emergency Response Plans.
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Accepted donations totaling $950 in cash and supplies for district students.
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Added two substitute teachers to the approved list for the upcoming year.
With the first day of school for students fast approaching, the Albion Board of Education held a special meeting Monday morning to tie up loose ends on personnel and safety, ensuring the district is ready for the arrival of roughly 1,700 students this Wednesday.
Called to order by Board President Mrs. Weller at 7:00 a.m., the August 25 meeting focused largely on finalizing appointments for support staff and approving critical safety protocols.
**Technology Leadership Filled**
In a significant move to bolster the district’s infrastructure, the board approved the appointment of Giuseppe Navarra as the new Technology Coordinator. Navarra, who steps into the role on August 26, will be on a probationary period through August 2026. His starting salary was set at $66,946.
The appointment comes as the district continues to rely on technology for classroom instruction and administrative operations. The position is classified as non-competitive under Civil Service rules.
**Staffing Up for September**
With students returning to the classroom on September 3, the board moved quickly to approve a slate of new hires for support positions, offering a wage of $16.00 per hour for aides and monitors.
The board approved the hiring of three Teacher Aides for the Elementary School: Eva Beadle, Cameron Ecker, and Samantha Hand. Hand’s appointment follows her resignation from an Elementary School Monitor position, effective September 1. Additionally, Lori Reamsnyder was appointed as a Teacher Aide for both the Elementary and High Schools, though her start date is pending standard pre-employment clearances.
To maintain safety and supervision, the board also appointed Jennifer Comer and Jessica James as Elementary School Monitors, and Mary Delamarter as a High School Monitor. Start dates for Comer, James, and Delamarter are pending drug testing, physicals, and fingerprint clearance.
**Safety and Community Support**
While personnel matters dominated the agenda, the board also took time to reapprove the district’s Building-Level Emergency Response Plans. These plans, which detail protocols for crises ranging from medical emergencies to security threats, are kept confidential for security reasons but must be approved annually by the board.
The district also benefited from community generosity heading into the new academic year. The board accepted three separate donations:
* A $600 monetary donation specifically for the Football Program.
* A $350 monetary donation coupled with backpacks full of school supplies.
* A general donation of school supplies for the district.
**Looking Ahead**
The meeting concluded with the board looking toward the immediate future. The next scheduled gathering is a Regular Board of Education Meeting on September 8 at 7:00 p.m. Residents can also mark their calendars for a "Meet and Greet" with new teachers on October 6 at 6:00 p.m., prior to the regular meeting that night.
As the 2025-2026 academic year begins, teachers will report for Professional Development on September 2, with students following on September 3.
Coverage of the Board of Education meeting on 2025-08-25,
Village of Albion, NY.
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This article was drafted by AI (claude-sonnet-4-20250514) from the official meeting transcript and reviewed by a human editor.
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Related Board of Education Meetings
2025-09-08
New Lockers, Old Phones: Albion Board Hears Updates on Start of School Year
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Hired Giuseppe Navarra as Technology Coordinator with a salary of $69,958.
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Approved the appointment of eight senior lifeguards and nine after-school sports advisors.
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Ratified a memorandum of understanding with DePaul Albion Housing Development.
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Accepted a donation of school supplies for district students.
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Granted a child-rearing leave extension for Elementary School Librarian Sarah Jones through Oct. 1.
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Scheduled the annual Early Release Drill and lockdown simulation for Sept. 23.
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Authorized parent transportation contracts for the 2025-2026 school year.
2025-08-04
Albion School Board Adopts $8.4M Tax Levy, Finalizes 'Bell-to-Bell' Cell Phone Plan
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Approved 2025 Tax Warrant totaling $8,449,039 across eight towns (Vote: 7-0).
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Adopted Policy 5685, setting maximum temperature standards for school buildings.
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Approved new hire Nicole Mauro as Community School Public Relations Coordinator ($60,000 salary).
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Hired Matthew Confer as High School Instrumental Teacher.
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Swore in interim board member David Sidari and member Christopher Kinter.
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Approved "Bell-to-Bell" cell phone ban FAQ for distribution to families.
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Authorized Title I funds for summer professional development for staff.
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Set September 2, 2025, as Back to School Night to address new phone policies.
2025-10-06
Albion Schools Focus on Literacy, Math Proficiency and 'Seals' to Boost Diplomas
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Adopted Building Goals: Approved strategic plans for the Elementary, Middle, and High School targeting June 2026 for completion.
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Personnel Changes: Accepted the resignations of Teacher Aide Eva Beadle and Cleaner Dominic Tiberio; appointed new Registered Professional Nurse Jessica Estela with a $48,000 salary.
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Stipends Approved: Authorized payment for Middle School Multicultural Event staff and After-School Advisory positions at a rate of $25/hour.
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Athletic & Arts Appointments: Approved multiple coaching and directing roles, including three appointments for Matthew Confer (Jazz Band, Musical, Marching Band).
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Business Approval: Authorized the 2025-2026 Electric Bid and Transportation Routes (kept confidential).
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New Student Initiative: Elementary Principal Angela Conway announced the launch of "Eagle Nest News," a daily student-led video broadcast.
2025-07-07
Albion Schools Bid Farewell to SRO Prawel, Approve New Cell Phone Policy
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Adopted Policy 7316: The Board approved the "Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day" policy, waiving the second reading to enact it immediately.
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Accepted Personnel Resignations: Accepted the resignation of Jeffrey Current (Director of Facilities II) and 3rd-grade teacher Jennifer Manley, effective June 30, 2025.
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Staff Appointments: Appointed Olivia Borchert as a 3rd-grade teacher; appointed Eric Christiansen as HS Psychologist ($388/day for 90 days); appointed Randy Knaak as Athletic Director Mentor.
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Approved Future Retirements: Accepted the future retirements of District Treasurer Laura Simboli and Computer Specialist Gregory Staines, effective July 1, 2026.
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Safety Plan Approval: Approved the 2025-2026 District-Wide School Safety Plan following a 30-day public comment period.
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FFA Trips: Approved overnight trips for the FFA Winter Leadership Retreat in November 2025 and the Youth Agriculture Leadership Conference in Albany in February 2026.
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Food Service: Extended the food service contract for the 2025-2026 school year.
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Board Vacancy: Superintendent Edwards will reach out to former board member David Sidari to fill an empty board seat until the next election.
2025-11-03
Students Lead Culture Shift as Albion Board Faces Financial Warning
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Key Actions & Decisions
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Accepted the external audit for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, presented by auditor John Rynkiewicz.
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Approved personnel actions, including the retirement of High School Physical Education teacher Jay Kovaleski effective June 30, 2026.
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Hired two new cleaners, Paul Zicari and Thomas Kuzma, at a starting salary of $33,280 each.
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Approved an amended safety plan for a 30-day public comment period after adding a Cardiac Emergency Plan.
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Approved the appointments of 10 staff members for high school after-school advisory positions at a rate of $25 per hour.
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Appointed David Reamsnyder as temporary Director of Facilities II with a salary of $40,232 plus an $8,000 stipend.
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Accepted the resignations of four support staff members, including three elementary aides/monitors.
2025-06-02
Albion Schools Prepare for State-Mandatory Building Survey; Students Reflect on Spring Sports Success
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Building Condition Survey approved: CPL Architecture and Campus Management will conduct a walk-through of the campus in July.
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Elementary School reported full implementation of the "Leader in Me" framework and new standards-based grading system.
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Middle School reported a 7.8% increase in reading growth measures on STAR assessments.
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Board approved minutes from the May 12 and May 20 meetings.
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Abbie Alexander appointed as Special Education Teacher at the Elementary School (Probationary period 9/1/25 – 8/31/29).
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Lauren Kinard introduced as the new Athletic Director.
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Spring athletes recognized for performance in track, softball, baseball, and tennis.
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