Albion school enrollment is up for first time in years
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Albion football field and track facility is pictured at sunset on Monday evening.
ALBION – The school district has reversed a trend this year with enrollment. After steadily declining the past 20 years, the enrollment is up in 2019-2020 – by two students.
Albion has 1,865 students in prekindergarten through grades 12 this school year, compared to 1,863 in 2018-19.
School districts do an enrollment count that is reported to the State Education Department the first Wednesday in October.
There are currently 544 students in the high school, 427 in the middle school, and 894 in the elementary school, Michael Bonnewell, district superintendent, reported to the Board of Education.
“It’s the first time we haven’t had it down in many years so that’s a positive,” Bonnewell said.
There are 122 other students in the district this school year, including 55 who are home schooled, 23 in private schools, 22 at schools for students with disabilities, 10 in BOCES placements, 8 children in foster care attending other schools, and 4 students attending other nearby local public schools.
The school enrollment is down about 1,000 students in the past 20 years. The district topped 2,800 students 20 years ago
In other action at Monday’s board meeting:
• Two high school students were recognized by principal Jennifer Ashbury. Kaitlyn Ramirez received a character award, while Yeshua Robles Nunez was presented with the leadership award.
• The district highlighted School Board Recognition Week on Oct. 21-25 and acknowledged the service of the nine volunteers on the Albion Board of Education.
David Sidari is beginning his 21st year on the board. Other board members and their length of service include: Margy Brown, 12th year; Chantelle Sacco, 5th year; Kathy Harling, third year; Wayne Wadhams, third year; Elissa Nesbitt, second year; Linda Weller, first year (served a previous five-year term); Gregg Boose, Sr., first year; and Joyce Riley, first year (served previously on the board).
• Approved the Lakeshore Property Maintenance in Waterport as the contractor for snow removal and ice control at a guaranteed minimum of $41,000, which is about $20,000 less than the district paid last year for a different contractor.
• Accepted donations from the Emma Reid Webster Foundation valued at $285 for the school nurses offices, including head lice kits/shampoo, boys and girls underwear, socks and jogging pants.
