The Albion Board of Education met on Monday morning, July 7, to address a range of personnel matters, safety updates, and policy changes. The meeting was marked by a farewell to the district’s School Resource Officer (SRO) and the immediate adoption of a policy regarding student cell phone use. **A Change in Campus Security** Deputy Matthew Prawel attended the meeting to bid farewell to the Board and Administration after three years as the district’s SRO. Prawel, who is transitioning back to road patrol duty with the Sheriff’s Department, detailed a list of safety accomplishments achieved during his tenure. "When I went to the Academy six years ago, I never imagined myself as an SRO," Prawel told the Board. "From day one, it felt like home at Albion. I was welcomed into the Purple Eagle family, heart and soul." Among the upgrades Prawel spearheaded were the standardization of lockdown drills—now completed in just 15 minutes with the assistance of local police—and the installation of consistent signage and numbering on classroom doors to help first responders navigate the campus. He also worked to ensure that staff supervising outdoor recess or physical education classes have radio access to maintain communication during emergencies. Prawel noted that while he planned to leave after three years, the decision was difficult. He agreed to assist in training his replacement once a new candidate is selected. **New Cell Phone Policy Adopted** In the realm of policy, the Board moved quickly to regulate student technology. Citing Policy 1410, which allows for a waiver of a second reading, the Board unanimously approved **Policy 7316: Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day.** The adoption of this policy establishes guidelines for how students may use personal devices like smartphones and tablets. The waiver of the usual two-read process suggests the Board prioritized having these rules in place for the start of the upcoming school year. The Board also approved a first reading of **Policy 5685**, which establishes a maximum temperature for school buildings. This policy will be up for final adoption at the August meeting. **Personnel Changes and Appointments** The district is preparing for several staffing changes ahead of the 2025-2026 school year. The Board accepted the resignation of Jeffrey Current from the position of Director of Facilities II, effective June 30. To fill gaps in support staff, the Board appointed: * **Olivia Borchert** as a 3rd-grade teacher at the Elementary School. * **Eric Christiansen** as a High School Psychologist on a 90-day contract at a rate of **$388 per day**. * **Randy Knaak** as an Athletic Director Mentor. Looking further ahead, the Board accepted the notice of future retirement for District Treasurer Laura Simboli and Computer Specialist Gregory Staines, both effective July 1, 2026. **Extracurriculars and Field Trips** The Board continues to support student clubs and activities. They approved requests for two Future Farmers of America (FFA) trips: * A Winter Leadership Retreat at Camp Oswegatchie in Croghan, NY, this coming November. * A trip to the Youth Agriculture Leadership Conference in Albany from February 2–3, 2026. Additionally, the Board approved the appointment of Ashley Sanders as the High School Recycling Club advisor and Kyra Burgess as the Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach. **Safety and Business** The meeting also included routine business necessary for district operations. The **2025-2026 District-Wide School Safety Plan** was approved. Superintendent Edwards noted the plan had been posted on the district website for 30 days for public comment, though no comments were received. The Board also extended the **Food Service Contract** for the upcoming year and approved membership dues for the **Rural Schools Association**. **Filling the Board Seat** With a vacancy on the Board of Education, Superintendent Edwards discussed options for filling the empty seat. Edwards revealed that Board President Mrs. Weller has reached out to **Mr. David Sidari**, a previous board member, to ask if he would consider filling the seat until the next board election takes place. The Board also authorized a resolution allowing Board Members to attend conferences, conventions, and workshops throughout the 2025-2026 school year, streamlining the approval process for their professional development.