Albion school enrollment continues to shrink
Photos by Tom Rivers: Sara Hillman is presented with the “Character Award” by Margy Brown, the Board of Education president. Sara is active at the school as the yearbook editor and with National Honor Society, FFA, tennis, volleyball and other organizations. She was praised for her leadership and generosity. In volleyball, for example, she helps set up the nets and carry equipment.
ALBION – The number of students at Albion Central School continues to shrink.
The school enrollment is down about 1,000 students in the past 20 years.
Albion had 1,832 students in grades kindergarten through 12 last school year. The enrollment this year currently stands at 1,793. (Albion also has 80 students in the pre-K program.)
The enrollment for this year includes 874 in elementary, 411 in the middle school and 588 in the high school, according to a report presented at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.
The district topped 2,800 students 20 years ago. The district the past 20 years has typically graduated senior classes that are bigger than incoming kindergarten classes. Some students have also moved away. Albion has averaged a decline of about 50 students annually the past two decades.
The other school districts in Orleans County and most in Western New York have also experienced significant enrollment decreases the past 20 years.
In other action at the Board of Education meeting:
David Sidari is the longest-serving member of the Albion Board of Education with 19 years as a volunteer on the BOE. School Board Recognition Week is Oct. 23-27.
• The board gave initial approval for the Close Up trip to Washington D.C., estimated cost of $1,727 for each student. About 8-12 students who are juniors or seniors are expected to go. There are scholarships and fundraisers to help with the costs of the trips. The students and chaperones will fly to DC and take busses and the subway. The trip is from March 4-9 and is led by social studies teacher Rich Gannon.
• The board also gave initial approval for the marching band trip from April 27-29 to Cleveland. The band is taking two busses with about 75-80 students expected to go. The cost is about $350 to $400 per student. Melissa Peglow from Orleans Travel Bureau is tour guide and coordinator.
The band will perform national anthem on the field at Cleveland Indians game vs. Seattle Mariners. Students will also perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and tour Severance Hall, home of Cleveland Orchestra.
• The district received a notice of retirement for Maureen Bennett, a high school typist, effective on Nov. 18.
• The board approved spending $160 at Kirby Farms for apples for staff during American Education Week on Nov. 13-17. The apples will go to all three school buildings, as well as the bus garage and district office.
• The district also recognized School Board Recognition Week will be from Oct. 23-27. The nine-member board includes David Sidari, beginning 19th year; Marie Snyder, 15th year, Margy Brown, 10th year; Linda Weller, 5th year; Wendy Kirby, 4th year; Chantelle Sacco, 3rd year; Steve LaLonde, 2nd year; Kathy Harling, 1st year; and Wayne Wadhams, 1st year.
