Albion school business administrator leaving for job at Victor

Photo by Tom Rivers: Derek Vallese, the business administrator for Albion Central School, goes over the school district’s $35.5 million budget during a meeting on April 1, 2019. Vallese came to Albion after working as treasurer for Newfane Central School.

ALBION — The school district is losing another administrator. Derek Vallese is leaving Albion next Friday to take a job as assistant superintendent at Victor Central School. Victor’s $78.2 million budget for 2020-21 is more than double the $36.8 million at Albion.

Vallese has worked as Albion as the business administrator for about two years. He came to Albion after being the treasurer at Newfane Central School.

Vallese also was the district clerk at Albion, and needed to oversee last year’s election, which was much more complicated due to Covid-19 restrictions. The state required school districts to hold the elections and budget votes entirely by mail.

Vallese was praised the Board of Education on Monday for his work at Albion. Mickey Edwards, who started as the district superintendent on Monday, said he will begin the process of filling the vacancy.

Vallese said the district’s annual budget work has started and he will be available to help by phone if Albion needs some assistance in the coming months. The budget goes to a public vote in May.

Vallese said he has enjoyed working at Albion.

“Thank you Albion Central School District for accepting me as one of your own,” he said. “It has been a great two years with the district, and I have learned so much. This is an amazing district and an amazing community, and I will miss everyone.”

Albion will also need to fill other positions on the administrative team. Mary Leto, the assistant superintendent for instruction, informed the district last month that she will retire, effective June 30.

The district also has interim elementary school principal this year after Rachel Curtin left the position after seven years to work as principal of the Chautauqua Lake Elementary School in Mayville. That is near her hometown of Ripley.

Maura Pierce came out of retirement to serve as interim principal this school year at the Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School.