The Albion Board of Education met on April 7, 2025, at 7:00 pm, turning a spotlight on the rapidly evolving role of technology in the classroom. While the board handled standard financial business, including the approval of the February treasurer’s report, the evening’s most compelling discussions centered on student achievements in winter athletics and a innovative pilot program using Artificial Intelligence to help middle schoolers write better. **Moment of Silence** Before diving into business, Board Vice-President Mrs. Linda Weller led a moment of silence for Elizabeth “Betty” Hales, a former High School Librarian who passed away in March. Hales served the district for 18 years, first as an ESL teacher and later as a library media specialist, retiring in 2011. She was remembered for her dedication to the "Purple Eagle Family." **Winter Athletics Review** Mr. Randy Knaak, Interim Athletic Director, presented a review of the winter sports season, which ran from November through February. The district fielded fifteen teams involving 170 athletes and eighteen coaches who collectively possess over 218 years of coaching experience. Student representatives from seven teams—including girls’ and boys’ swimming, cheerleading, wrestling, basketball, and Unified Bowling—addressed the board. They shared highlights from the season, noting the intense commitment required for the fifteen-week season. While state recognition for academic awards is still pending, students emphasized the value of the collaborative effort and the social diversity fostered by the sports. **AI: From Skepticism to "Transformative" Tool** The most significant educational discussion of the night came from Mr. Brad Pritchard, Middle School Principal, and teachers Mrs. Bonnie Baldwin and Mrs. Jennifer Lamont. They presented on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into English Language Arts (ELA) instruction—a move that met with skepticism initially but has since won over educators. Mrs. Baldwin admitted she was originally resistant to the technology, fearing it would generate ideas for students rather than help them learn. However, after a presentation by Dan Wodarczak from BOCES, she changed her mind. She told the board that using AI has "transformed English instruction" by allowing for high-level differentiation. The teachers are using a platform called "schoolai," which allows them to input text and generate leveled passages that match the reading abilities (lexiles) of different students. It acts as a personalized writing coach, offering clues on how to fix run-on sentences or brainstorm ideas without simply doing the work for them. "The best part of schoolai is that each student gets his or her own Mrs. Baldwin and Mrs. Lamont," student Giuliana Liuzzi told the board. Students Ethan Olles, Kyler Bennett, Elliott Pettit, and Giuliana Liuzzi demonstrated how the tool helps them proofread, understand complex texts, and even conduct virtual interviews with historical figures, such as Malala Yousafzai, as part of their refugee studies. Mrs. Baldwin emphasized that the platform allows her to monitor progress in real-time, seeing if students are struggling or if their writing raises emotional flags requiring adult intervention. **Real-World Financial Literacy** In other academic news, Mrs. Jennifer Moreland and her students presented a Career Project focused on financial literacy. The project tasks students with selecting potential careers, comparing salaries, and determining if those wages will support their future lifestyle and families. Students utilize resources like the ONET interest profiler and the College Scorecard & Navigator. Student Mia Klatt shared her research on becoming a Veterinarian, using the tools to identify Cornell University as a viable educational path. The project aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world financial independence. **Business Items** On the administrative side, the Board approved the consent agenda, which included: - Minutes of the March 10, 2025 meeting. - Treasurer’s Report for February 2025. - Quarterly Revenue and Expenditure Reports. - The Extra-Classroom Activity Fund Report. - CSE & CPSE recommendations. - Building use requests and fundraiser requests. A budget transfer request of $2,000 for Field Trips was provided to the Board for information only. The district serves approximately 1,700 students PK-12 on its single campus.