The Albion Central School District Board of Education met on March 10 to honor the lives of former educators and receive an update on a developing leadership program at the elementary school. The meeting began with solemn moments of silence for three former district employees who passed away earlier this year. Board member Kurt Schmitt remembered Charles Morrison, a math teacher who served the district from 1965 to 1998. Board member John Kast recognized Robert John Ord II, a physical education teacher and coach who worked in the district from 1970 to 1996. Board member Porsche Taylor paid tribute to Arlene Boice Sanger, a home economics teacher who retired in 1982. **Elementary Students Take the Lead** The primary focus of the evening was a presentation by Elementary School Principal Mrs. Conway regarding the school’s implementation of the "Leader in Me" program. This initiative, based on Stephen Covey’s "7 Habits of Happy Kids," is currently in its first year of a four-year rollout. The district has established a "Lighthouse Team" to guide the process, comprising coordinators Samantha Flansburg and Katie Badura, student representative Cathy Hryhorenko, parent representative Beth Stanley, and grade-level representatives. Katie Badura, a Lighthouse Team Coordinator, told the Board that the team has undergone significant training, including a visit to Sweet Home Schools in Western New York to observe a mature version of the program in action. She noted that the positive culture and student voice at those schools were "evident" and "visible." The Albion team has formed "Action Teams" focused on three core areas: Leadership, Culture, and Academics. A key component of the academic focus is the introduction of student-led conferences. According to the presenters, these conferences shift the traditional dynamic by having students lead the meeting with their parents and teachers. Students select goals in core areas like English Language Arts or Math and present their achievements directly to their families. The program also includes structural changes to student government. The current Student Leadership Council for 3rd through 5th graders will be repurposed into a "Student Lighthouse Team." Instead of speeches and elections, students in 4th and 5th grades will apply for positions and obtain teacher recommendations. "We want to communicate a person’s worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves," said Samantha Flansburg, quoting the program's philosophy. The school is planning several community events to support the initiative, including a "SOARing through the 7 Habits Family Night" on June 4 featuring cartoonist Mr. Scribbles, and a year-end "SOAR Day" featuring high-school-led carnival games and KONA Ice treats for all elementary students. **Personnel Changes** In official business, the Board approved several personnel moves. Most notably, the Board accepted the resignation of Joan Mrzywka, a 1st-grade teacher at the Elementary School, effective at the end of the work day on March 24, 2025. In a series of moves effective March 12, the Board appointed Robyn Williams, Hailey Sturm, and Carrie Harris as Teacher Aides at the Elementary School. All three positions carry a salary of $15.60 per hour. The Board also approved the appointment of Colby Allport to a full-time Custodian position. Allport’s appointment begins March 12, 2025, with a salary of $32,760. He will also receive a $1,800 stipend, prorated from his start date until the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2025. The Board also accepted the resignations of several support staff members, including Cleaner Ada Nicosia (effective March 7) and Monitors Robyn Williams, Hailey Sturm, and Colby Allport (effective March 11). The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm on Monday, April 14, 2025.