ALBION – Katharine Waite, Albion’s high school vice principal, will be retiring on March 31. She was worked at Albion for nearly eight years, after 10 years as a principal at Perry Central School.

The Board of Education on Monday appointed Dan Monacelli to fill in as interim vice principal, beginning after spring recess on April 10 until the end of the school year in late June.

Monacelli, an Albion resident, retired as the middle school principal in 2017. He also has filled in as an interim junior-senior high school principal in Holley for three months in late 2018 and early 2019.

Mickey Edwards, the Albion district superintendent, said he reached out across Western New York and there weren’t any other candidates for the position to close out the school year. He said he appreciated Monacelli’s willingness to come back to the district in the interim position.

In other action during the board meeting on Monday:

• School resource officer Matthew Prawel, a deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, outlined how his first year has been going with the district so far. Prawel said his main focus is the security of the campus. He has connected with other law enforcement agencies, giving them a color-coded map showing different zones of the school buildings.

Prawel said he would welcome more chances to connect with students and staff but most of his time is dedicated to security and safety.

He recommended the board add a second school resource officer, either through the Sheriff’s Office or Albion Police Department. That would increase a safety response and also allow for more positive connections between students and the school resource officers, Prawel said.

• Brad Pritchard, the middle school principal, gave a presentation to the board on how the middle school is doing more computer based testing, which he said not only measures academics but familiarizes students with keyboarding, software and using Google Docs and other software.

• Approved a trip to Boston from May 26-28 for 18 students from minority backgrounds. The trip for the Girls Leadership Group is covered through a Community Schools grant.

• Changed the date of the Honors Convocation for graduating seniors with GPAs at 90 percent or higher from May 11 to May 4. The date was changed so some of the seniors can be a part of the “Stars of Tomorrow” program featuring students in the musical. They will be able to perform at the Rochester Broadway Theatre League.

• Julianna Kuntz was recognized with the elementary student leadership award and Brody Furness was honored with the elementary school character award.

$22 million overall construction work starts next week with district office the first project

ALBION – The Board of Education approved a bid for $2,567,090 on Monday from the Day Automation of Victor for access controls, which is a card swipe system that will allow the district to lock down all the doors in case of an emergency.

District personnel will have badges to unlock and lock doors as part of this project.

That brings the total construction bids to $21,866,992. Eight other bids were accepted at last month’s meeting. The board wanted more time to review the proposal from Day Automation for the access control system that will be in all classrooms throughout the district.

School district residents on Dec. 14, 2021 approved the $26.69 million capital project that includes all three schools, as well as the bus garage, and new synthetic playing surfaces for football, soccer and softball.

The other bids accepted last month include:

• Site work – $6,295,082 by Diehl Development
• General Trades – $5,441,000 by Javen Construction
• Mechanical – $2,797,700 by T. Bell
• Plumbing – $1,636,300 by Blackmon Farrell
• Playground equipment – $257,027 by GameTime
• Scoreboards – $124,725 by Toth
• BMS (Building Management System) Controls – $339,068 by Day Automation

The first project gets started next week at the district office. District office staff will move to the E wing of the elementary school while the dstrict office is upgraded.

People visiting the district office will need to go to the main entrance of the elementary school starting on Monday.

The construction schedule for 2023 and next year includes:

Site Work – In 2023 the work includes the football field replacement, track resurfacing, multi-purpose field replacement (softball and soccer – starting June 1, 2023 and ending July 15, 2024), elementary school hot water service line, elementary school drop-off loop and sidewalks, elementary school playground fence replacement and high school hot water service line.

In 2024, the site work includes middle school hot water service line, tennis court replacement, middle school drop-off loop reconstruction, concrete sidewalk replacements, playground replacement at middle school, baseball field drainage improvements, JV softball field drainage improvements.

Construction at elementary school – In 2023, district office renovation, classroom doors and plumbing fixtures at E wing (Nov. 6 to Dec. 1), classroom doors and plumbing fixtures at D wing (Dec. 11 to Jan. 5), crawl space plumbing and hot water heaters, EIFS replacement, carbon monoxide detectors/fire alarm, and electrical abatement and replacements.

In 2024, classroom doors and plumbing fixtures at C wing (Jan. 1 to Feb. 9), classroom doors and plumbing fixtures at B wing (Feb. 19 to March 15), classroom doors and plumbing fixtures at A wing (March 25 to April 19) and classroom doors and plumbing fixtures at G wing (April 29 to May 24), emergency generator replacement, doors/hardware/security enhancements, main office windows and fire shutter, and gymnasium folding partition replacement.

Construction at middle school (basement) – In 2023, pool deck structural repairs, boiler room abatement and demolition, boiler room plumbing renovations, ad pool pumps.

In 2024, electrical room A/C and auditorium A/C.

Construction at middle school (first floor) – In 2023, domestic hot water repairs, replace insulated window panels, gymnasium renovations, pool lighting and locker room renovation, replace ANSUL system, exhaust fan and relief air work, flooring abatement, flooring installation, carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarm, and electrical service component replacements.

In 2024, doors/hardware/security enhancements and auditorium AC.

Construction at middle school (second floor) – In 2023, exhaust fan and relief air work, replace insulated window panels, flooring abatement, and flooring installation.

In 2024, convert lockers into storage rooms, electrical room A/C, auditorium A/C, and doors/hardware/security enhancements.

Construction at middle school (third floor) – In 2023, exhaust fan and relief air work.

In 2024, doors/hardware/security enhancements.

Construction at high school (first floor) – In 2023, library door reconstruction, window lintel replacements, domestic hot water heaters and carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarm.

In 2024, replace lockers (with wider units), doors/hardware/security upgrades, gym renovations and gym locker room renovations.

Construction at high school (second floor) – In 2023, library door reconstruction, window lintel replacements, domestic hot water heaters, and carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarm.

In 2024, replace lockers, doors/hardware/security upgrades, gym renovations, gym locker room renovations, gym HVAC abatement and demo, gym HVAC installation.

Photo and information courtesy of Albion Central School

ALBION – Middle school Science Olympiad students participated in the regional competition this past Saturday at St. John Fisher University, with many students placing in the various events.

Students who competed were Payton Babcock, Evan Love, Jaili McPhatter, Sadie Money, Tatiana Morales, Aries Webster, Brilee Seewagen, Payton Gray, Brad Pierce, Charles Warren, and Lily Allison. Mr. Petrus and Ms. Fiegl coached the students.

The following are the top results for the Albion students:

• Anatomy and Physiology: Brad Pierce and Aries Webster, First Place
• Green Generation: Brad Pierce and Sadie Money, First Place
• Bio Process Lab: Brad Pierce and Brilee Seewagen, Second Place
• Solar System: Charles Warren and Lily Allison, Fifth Place
• Crave the Wave: Sadie Money and Lily Allison, Sixth Place

Father Richard Csizmar has served as pastor in Albion the past 28 years

Photos by Tom Rivers: Father Richard Csizmar is shown inside St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, where he has been the parish priest for 28 years. He is retiring from full-time ministry. He will continue to lead Mass at local Catholic churches while living in Albion.

ALBION – The Rev. Richard Csizmar has announced his retirement from full-time ministry after more than a half century as a priest.

Csizmar, 80, could have retired five years ago but chose to continue in a full-time role at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in the Holy Family Parish. Csizmar will continue to live in the church rectory in Albion and lead some Mass services as needed in a family of churches that includes Catholic sites in Kendall, Holley, Albion, Medina, Lyndonville, Barker and Middleport.

Father Mark Noonan, the former priest at St. Mark’s in Kendall and St. Mary’s in Holley, is returning to lead the family of local Catholic churches, beginning next weekend.

“It’s been great,” Csizmar said about his 28 years in Albion. “I’ve really loved it. I see myself as the community’s priest.”

Csizmar has two long tenures in his ministry. Before coming to Albion, he served 25 years at Notre Dame High School in Batavia as a teacher and development director. He also served on weekends at St. Joseph’s and St. Anthony’s in Batavia.

He started his ministry with a year in Cherry Creek, and also three months at the Nativity at Harris Hill in Williamsville.

Father Richard Csizmar is shown inside St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. About 700 families are part of the Holy Family Parish.

In Albion, Father Csizmar was active in the Albion Ministerium, a group of local clergy that plan community ecumenical services and a baccalaureate service for graduating high school seniors.

He praised the Albion parish for their love shown towards him and many in the community. The parish includes about 700 families and 1,600 people.

“I have felt at home here,” he said during an interview at the church rectory. “It has been a great run. I’ve had a lot of wonderful experiences.”

Father Csizmar said he continues to feel a call to ministry and enjoys preaching and leading Mass.

“I haven’t run out of gas,” he said. “I’m always getting new ideas.”

Susan Starkweather Miller said Father Csizmar has been accepting of new ideas to engage the community, including a new Bible study she is leading with Pete Sidari on Monday mornings and Tuesday evenings. About 70 people are attending that study on the Passion of the Christ. Csizmar is among the attendees.

“Father loves community,” Starkweather Miller said. “He loves to build community in our church. He’s always been very positive and willing to try new things. He is always on board.”

Starkweather Miller is a lecter, eucharistic minister, altar server and Bible study leader at the parish. She is very thankful Father Csizmar will be staying in the Albion community.

“We care so much about him,” she said. “We are so thankful he wants to be with us. Father Dick can continue to do the things he loves.”

Father Dick Csizmar greets Albion firefighters and other first responders during a “Blue Mass” on Oct. 22, 2017 at St. Joseph’s. The service offered appreciation and blessings for first responders. Csizmar worked to connect with many community members during his time at St. Joseph’s.

The parish is also looking forward to Father Mark Noonan leading the family of churches.

“We have the best of both worlds,” Starkweather Miller said.

Joe Gehl is a current church trustee for the Holy Family Parish. He has attended St. Joseph’s since 1971. He said the parish admires Father Csizmar and appreciates his long commitment to the Albion community.

“He is not afraid to get involved in things,” Gehl said. “He considers wherever he is at as part of his family. He just blends in well with anyone regardless of their religious affiliation. He accepts everybody for who they are.”

Father Csizmar in a message to the parish in this weekend’s church bulletin said he is very proud of Mark Noonan who brings a kind and gentle spirit.

“It’s great to be passing the torch to a new generation pastor,” Father Csizmar writes.

Father Richard Csizmar prays a blessing on Albion graduates during a baccalaureate service on June 2, 2019 at the First Baptist Church. Csizmar has been very active in the Albion Ministerium, a group of local clergy members.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Lenten lunches returned on Wednesday for Albion area churches. This group from the Gaines Congregational Church – Laurie Hatch, Kathy Smith and Chris Sartwell – serve soups prepared by the church.

The event was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion. The Presbyterians provided sandwiches.

The lunches will be at noon every Wednesday in March at the Presbyterian Church. Different churches take turns providing food and the message.

Marie Follett plays the piano and the Rev. Susan Thaine, pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Albion, leads the singing of hymns during the Lenten luncheon.

The luncheons are back for the first time in three years after being cancelled during the Covid pandemic.

Thaine also delivered a short message for the group. There were about 40 people from several churches at the gathering. The luncheons are free with a goodwill offering accepted.

The Lenten luncheons also are back in Medina at the Presbyterian Church on Main Street. It is a tradition going back several decades and sponsored by Medina Area Association of Churches.

All luncheons are served at the Presbyterian Church, with members of MAAC taking turns preparing the meal. Take-outs are available at 11:45 a.m., with serving at noon followed by a brief message. This year’s theme will explore “The Passion of Christ.”

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – Starting today, registration is open for Albion Central School’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) program.

To be eligible, children must be four years old on or before December 1, 2023 and must live in the school district. Parents interested in registering their child/children for the UPK program must fill out the form in full, including the application, transportation form and meal information.

UPK is held in two sessions. The morning session is held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The afternoon session is 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Parents may not choose which session their child attends.

Completed forms may be returned ASAP to the district office or elementary school office. Completed applications may also be mailed to:

Albion Central School District

UPK Program

324 East Avenue

Albion, NY 14411

Please contact the district registrar with questions at 585-589-2051.

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Burger King in Albion has been collecting donations this month for Supportive Care of Orleans and was at $3,456 as of 1:30 this afternoon.

Pictured from left include Sam Rogers, Krystle Hughson, Owen Mitchell, general manager Shelby Hollenbeck and assistant general manager Liz Lamay.

Hollenbeck said she is pleased by the response from the customers. Many give their change, or a dollar bill, while others have donated $20s, with several people giving a hundred dollars. Jim and Kerry Panek donated $1,000 to the organization that assist hospice patients and their families.

“People love to give to local organizations,” Hollenbeck said.

The Burger King will be accepting donations until tomorrow, and will then turn over the funds to Supportive Care of Orleans.

There are donations boxes inside the BK and also at the drive-through.

Presbyterian Church will host Wednesday gatherings for 5 weeks

Press Release, Albion Ministerium

ALBION – After a three-year hiatus, Lenten lunches will resume this Wednesday, as hosted by the Albion Ministerium. The gatherings will take place at noon each Wednesday in March at the Albion Presbyterian Church, 29 East State St.

Participating congregations will take turns providing a simple meal of soup, sandwich, and cookies, with beverages also provided. At each event, a pastor from the community will lead a devotional message, and musicians will lead three well-known hymns.

Anyone from the Albion area is welcome to attend. A free will offering will be collected and used to offset expenses for future Ministerium-sponsored events, including the Baccalaureate service for Albion High School graduates in June.

The 2023 schedule of Albion Lenten lunches and leaders is:

• March 1 – Pastor Sue Thaine and the Albion Presbyterian Church, with musician Marie Follett will accompanying the hymns: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” and “Because He Lives.”
• March 8 – Pastor Marsha Rivers, with the Albion Baptist and Gaines Carlton Community churches, with musician Marie Follett will accompanying the hymns: “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” “I Need Thee Every Hour,” and “Wonderful Words of Life.”
• March 15 – Father Dick Csizmar and the Holy Family Parish, with musician Kay Marsh accompanying the hymns: “I Love to Tell the Story,” “Blessed Assurance,” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”
• March 22 – Pastor Jim Heiler and the West Barre United Methodist Church, with musician Kay Marsh accompanying the hymns: “How Great Thou Art,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” and “Bind Us Together, Lord.”
• March 29 – Pastor Randy LeBaron and the Eagle Harbor United Methodist Church, with musicians Jim Heiler and Susan Boring accompanying the hymns: “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” “Sing Hallelujah to the Lord,” and “Standin’ in the Need of Prayer.”

With questions about the Lenten lunches or Albion Ministerium activities, contact Pastor Marsha Rivers at (585) 355-7373.