The Albion Board of Education took significant steps Monday night toward improving district facilities while simultaneously eyeing a potential tax decrease for the upcoming school year. During the regular meeting on March 2, 2015, Board President Mrs. Margy Brown presided over a session that highlighted a delicate balance between necessary capital investment and fiscal responsibility. **Campus-Wide Renovations on the Horizon** The most extensive discussion of the evening centered on a presentation by King & King Architects regarding the Building Condition Survey. The architects delivered a PowerPoint presentation outlining a campus-wide project that touches nearly every aspect of the district's physical plant. Proposed priority projects include roof work, window replacements, and building security upgrades. The plan also calls for code compliance updates, parking lot resurfacing, and energy-efficient improvements. Athletes in the district can look forward to the resurfacing of the all-weather track. In a notable shift for district operations, the project includes the removal of the metal building currently housing the District Office. The administrative offices would be relocated into existing space within the Middle School. The Board approved a SEQRA (State Environmental Quality Review) resolution, moving the project closer to a public referendum. Residents can expect to vote on the capital project in May 2015. If approved by voters, architects aim to have construction completed by the end of the summer of 2017. **Budget Looks "Favorable"** While the capital project looks to the future, the Audit Finance Committee is keeping a close eye on the present. Mr. Liddle reported that the committee met earlier in the day to review the initial draft budget for the 2015-2016 school year. Despite a projected budget gap of approximately $235,000, the financial outlook is described as favorable. The district is benefiting from a decrease in Teacher’s Retirement System premiums. In a move that will likely please taxpayers, Mr. Liddle stated the district hopes to decrease the tax levy by 1%. Crucially, Mr. Liddle noted that the current budget proposal maintains all existing programming, though staffing and class sizes will remain under review as the final budget is developed. **Athletic and Personnel Updates** In other business, the Board moved quickly to approve a slate of purchases and personnel matters necessary for the spring semester. The Board approved expenditures totaling $16,314.26 for 2014 fall athletic equipment. The majority of the funds, $7,360, were awarded to AdPro Sports for 80 items, with other vendors including BSN Sports and Jim Dalberth Sporting Goods filling out the needs of the athletic department. On the personnel front, the Board appointed Richard Gannon and Matt Brooks as .5 Fifth Block Global Studies Instructors. Both appointments are for 20 sessions running from March 17 through June 8, 2015. The Board also approved a request for the FFA to travel to Syracuse for the State Line Officer Nominations from April 16-18, and granted permission for the Girls Varsity Basketball team to participate in the Section 6 Class B1 finals on March 8, pending their playoff results. **Upcoming Meetings** Residents are reminded of the following upcoming dates: * **March 15, 2015:** NYSSBA Capital Conference in Albany. * **May 12, 2015:** Public Hearing on the Budget (7:00 PM, HS LGI) and Budget Vote (Noon – 8:00 PM). * **May 19, 2015:** Annual Budget Vote and Election.