The Albion Board of Education moved quickly to fill a vacant seat Monday night, while also taking steps that could alter the future makeup of the Board itself. During the January 13 meeting, Board President Wayne Wadhams announced the appointment of David Sidari to the Board. Sidari was sworn in by District Clerk Cindy Ishmael and will serve until the annual budget vote and election on May 20, 2025. With roughly 1,700 students in the district, the Board manages policy for a single campus that houses pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The meeting also featured a significant discussion regarding the structure of the Board. Kurt Schmitt, a Board member, presented findings from the Ad Hoc Committee regarding the number of Board members and the length of their terms. Currently, the district operates with a nine-member Board where members serve five-year terms. The committee analyzed the pros and cons of switching to a seven-member Board with three-year terms, or maintaining the nine-member body but reducing the term length to three years. Schmitt noted that finding candidates to run for the Board has been a challenge in recent annual elections. The committee concluded that a five-year term is a significant commitment that might deter potential candidates. They decided that a nine-member Board with three-year terms would be the superior choice. "It may be of interest to people considering a seat on the Board to reduce the five-year term to a three-year term offering a smaller commitment," Schmitt said. While shorter terms require more frequent campaigning, the committee believes it allows for more flexibility. The proposal to change the term length will be brought before the full Board at its February meeting. If approved, the measure would likely appear as a proposition on the ballot during the annual budget vote in May. In the academic realm, High School Principal Jennifer Ashbery presented a proposal to adopt "Local Civics," a platform designed to manage student information and track progress toward new graduation requirements. The presentation follows recommendations from the New York State Education Department’s Blue Ribbon Commission. To earn a diploma, students must now demonstrate proficiency in the "Portrait of a Graduate," which includes being a critical thinker, an innovative problem solver, and a global citizen. Albion High School offers several additional seals, including the Seal of Civic Readiness and the Seal of Biliteracy. Ashbery explained that Local Civics uses a "badge-based" system. As students complete specific tasks, they earn digital badges, which are tracked by teachers and administration. This data is then used to verify that students have earned the seals on their high school diploma. The platform is already in use in districts like Batavia, Niagara-Wheatfield, and Rochester City. The Board approved the adoption of the platform, allowing the district to better monitor and accelerate student success in these civic pathways. "It takes two to three years to learn and understand the process," Schmitt said earlier regarding Board service, though the sentiment applies equally to the complex new graduation pathways students are navigating. On the personnel front, the Board accepted the resignation of Sarah White, a Special Education Teacher at the Elementary School, effective February 3. The district also accepted the retirement of Greg Martillotta, an Instrumental Music Teacher at the Middle School, effective September 12, 2025. To fill gaps and support extracurricular activities, the Board appointed several new staff members and coaches. Ocie Bennett, Jr. was appointed as the Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach, and Keith Akers was appointed as the Unified Bowling Coach. Both appointments were effective January 6. The Board also approved a resolution regarding the Standard Work Day for elected and appointed officials, establishing the reporting requirements for the New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System. The meeting concluded with reports from administrators. Mrs. Ashbery praised the FFA for collecting 45,000 pounds of food during their annual food drive, which was donated to Community Action. She thanked local farmers and businesses for their support of the drive. Prior to the business items, the Board recognized two Elementary School students for their achievements: Moses Taylor, Jr. received the Leadership Award, and Mackenzie Gilbert received the Character Award.