Negotiations Update: Albany Teachers Association and...

AUSD–ATA Contract Negotiations Update Albany Unified School District (AUSD) and the Albany Teachers Association (ATA) are engaged in negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement covering wages, benefits, hours, class size, evaluations, and working conditions. See detailed updates about negotiations on the  Negotiation Updates webpage  of the AUSD website.  To support transparency, AUSD has shared enrollment data, facility constraints, and preliminary fiscal projections. Several tentative agreements have been reached, including updates to contract language, transfer timelines, Children’s Center provisions, and evaluation processes. Negotiations are ongoing in key areas such as salary, health benefits, preparation time, and class size and caseloads. No changes to current staffing, class sizes, or programs are being implemented this school year. AUSD will continue negotiations and provide updates to the community as agreements are reached.

Wednesday, Jan 14 2026

Special School Board Meeting: Study Session on Budge...

The Albany Unified School District Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting with a Study Session on Budget Development and Strategic Planning on  Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM . The public is encouraged to attend in person or participate virtually via Zoom. The primary focus of the meeting will be a  study session on budget development and strategic planning , intended to support Board learning and discussion. The session will provide an overview of how school funding works in California and how Albany Unified develops its annual budget, including timelines and the impact of enrollment and funding trends on District resources. The discussion will also connect budget planning to student outcomes and the District’s emerging Graduate Profile, and preview key spring planning activities and longer-term financial planning. 📄 View Agenda for more details 📍 Location: Albany City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Avenue, Albany, CA 🗓️ Date/Time: Tuesday, January 13, 2026 • 6:00 PM 🔗 Join via Zoom: https://ausdk12-org.zoom.us/j/81313480204 🆔 Webinar ID: 813 1348 0204 📞 Dial-in (audio only): +1 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 838 4692 5321# Public Comment Guidelines (Special Meetings):  Public comment is limited to agenda items only. Each speaker has up to two (2) minutes and may not cede time. Zoom participants should use the  “Raise Hand” feature when the item is called. Public Access & Technical Notice: The District intends to provide public access to this meeting via Zoom; however, should technical difficulties occur, the meeting will continue in person and be broadcast live on Albany KALB-TV , consistent with Brown Act requirements.

Saturday, Jan 10 2026

Superintendent's Community Update, January 9, 2026

Dear Albany Unified Community, Happy New Year, and welcome back. I hope the start of 2026 has brought you moments of rest, connection, and hope. As we begin the second half of the school year, I want to share how we are approaching planning and budgeting for the  2026–27 school year, and how our community will help shape Albany Unified’s direction for years to come . Planning With Purpose: Site-Based Budget Engagement Over the coming months, our schools and district will engage in a thoughtful, transparent process to align student needs, community priorities, and fiscal decisions. At the  school level , sites will: Engage staff, families, and students (as appropriate) in reviewing site-level data, including achievement, growth, attendance, and social-emotional learning. Identify strengths, challenges, and root causes connected to instructional, leadership, and organizational practices. Develop a school-based theory of action that connects student needs to specific practices and expected outcomes. Identify clear, actionable priority practices for the 2026–27 school year and short-term outcomes to monitor progress. Partner with School Site Councils (SSCs) to review, refine, and approve School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSAs) and site budgets ahead of March budget lock-ins. At the  district level , we will host  virtual community Town Halls  to build a shared understanding of how school funding works, including constraints, trade-offs, and opportunities. These sessions are designed to support meaningful community participation in both district- and site-based planning conversations. Your Voice Matters: Join the Conversation As part of this work—and as we begin developing a  Graduate Profile (Portrait of an Albany Graduate) , we invite students, families, staff, and community members to share their ideas about the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that should define an Albany graduate. In addition to the  Board Study Session  on  January 13,  we invite students, families, staff, and community members to learn more about how budgeting and planning will take place this year and into the future. To support shared learning and meaningful engagement, we have scheduled the following virtual (Zoom) Town Hall meetings for anyone interested in learning more about budgeting, planning, and our long-term direction: February 4  – Community Town Hall (combined with  DELAC ) February 11  – Community Town Hall (combined with Special Education Advisory) February 25  – Community Town Hall (combined with  SAC ) Additional details and Zoom links will be shared in advance of each meeting. Looking Ahead: Creating a Portrait of an Albany Graduate This spring, we will begin collaboratively developing a  Graduate Profile  that articulates what we want every Albany Unified student to know, be able to do, and who they are becoming by graduation. Beginning in 2027–28, this Graduate Profile will anchor a  3–5 year Strategic Plan  that guides district priorities and budget decisions. This Strategic Plan will also serve as our next  Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) , aligning long-term goals, annual actions, and investments around shared student outcomes. Thank you for your partnership, your questions, and your continued commitment to Albany’s students. Together, we are shaping a future grounded in shared values and high expectations for every learner. With gratitude and optimism,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District Calendar Highlights:   Please see messages from your school for complete information about events.   January 13:    Board Study Session : Budget Planning for 2026–27 January 14:  Counted Out , 5:30–7:30pm, Ocean View Multi-Purpose Room January 27:    Regular Board Meeting January 29:   Left Behind , 5:30–7:30pm, Albany High School Little Theater Register for free tickets  here . February 4:  Community Town Hall (combined with District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC), 6pm, Zoom webinar, link will be provided. February 11 : Community Town Hall (combined with Special Education Advisory), Zoom webinar, link will be provided. February 25 : Community Town Hall (combined with Student Achievement Committee), 6pm, Zoom webinar, link will be provided.

Friday, Jan 09 2026

Superintendent's Community Update, December 19, 2025

Holiday Reflections, Film Screenings, & Honor Choirs  Dear Albany Community,   Winter break is here. High school students have taken their last final exams of the semester, and students will begin their break when the bells ring this afternoon. This week, students at Ocean View enjoyed a holiday sing-along featuring songs representing many of the holidays celebrated at this time of year from different cultural traditions. The fall semester has flown by, and as we close the first half of this school year and my first full year as Superintendent of Albany Unified School District, I have been reflecting on all that has happened since I joined the district in December 2024 through the lens that matters most: our students.  Every decision, conversation, and priority this year has been guided by a simple question: What is best for our students and their learning, sense of belonging, safety, and long-term success? Spending time with students in classrooms, hallways, advisory groups, and listening sessions has been one of the most grounding parts of my role. Students have been clear about what they need: engaging and rigorous learning, caring and consistent adults, and schools where they feel known, included, and respected. This year has been a time of learning as I have listened to students, educators, and families share what helps students thrive and where we need to improve. That listening has shaped our priorities and continues to shape my leadership. Guided by what I have heard and grounded in our values, mission, and vision, I have focused on strengthening the conditions that most directly affect students’ daily experiences. This included clarifying instructional expectations, investing in early literacy and strong Tier 1 instruction, protecting time for intervention and enrichment, and strengthening professional learning so educators are supported to meet the needs of all learners. As a district, we have also prioritized student belonging, wellness, and safety by strengthening guidance on behavior and discipline, expanding social-emotional learning expectations, filling critical student support positions, and advancing safety and facilities planning.  I want to acknowledge that some changes this year have felt fast and that communication has not always been as clear or timely as it should have been. I hear that feedback, take it seriously, and am actively working to improve by clarifying the why behind decisions and strengthening our communication and feedback loops. As we move into the second half of the school year after winter break, our focus will shift toward planning and budgeting for the 2026–2027 school year while continuing to support students and staff day-to-day. We will engage students, staff, families, and community partners in answering a shared question:  what do we want a student who has graduated from Albany schools to know, be able to do, carry in their hearts, and be ready for in the world?  The answers to this question will guide our priorities, investments, and decisions as we navigate future challenges together. I am proud of the progress we have made so far, grateful for our community's partnership, and deeply committed to continued learning and improvement as we finish this school year strong and plan thoughtfully for the future of Albany Unified. Film Screenings We are looking forward to screening two important films after we return in January. The first,  Counted Out , will be shown on January 14, see details below. It is a documentary about how our life experience today  is underwritten by an invisible layer of math that few of us understand, or even notice. Our numeric literacy—whether we can speak the language of math—is a critical determinant of social and economic power. Through a mosaic of personal stories, expert interviews, and scenes of math transformation in action,  Counted Out  explores what is at risk in math education.  We will also be screening  Left Behind ,  on January 29, which tells the inspiring story of a group of determined moms who band together to found the first public school for students with dyslexia in New York City—the largest school district in the U.S. Dyslexia impacts one in five children worldwide. In a city the size of New York, around 200,000 children are left without the support they need to thrive. Kareem Weaver, who heads the Education Committee for the NAACP in Oakland, CA, and a key figure in the film, calls this the defining civil rights issue of our time. The film will be followed by an expert literacy Q&A panel. Tickets are free, but you must   register here . AUSD Students In Honor Choirs The California Choral Directors Association has selected Albany students for the  All State Honor Choir,  the most prestigious state-wide choir for 6th–12th graders. The following students received this honor:   Pepper Blythe, Nina Botwinick, Zoe Botwinick, Ella Boyd, Mia Boyd, Calvin Caro-Disterhoft, Aria Cowherd, Jude Crawford, Jasper Ervice, Yazmin Gonzalez, Kira Harper-Zahn, Carter Helmbrecht, John-Patrick Hilliard, Hazel Hosmer, Edie Leong, Anika Maderas, Mia Mickelson, Olivia Regni, Isha Tamang, Olivia Wang, & Finnegan Willits-Musell. Congratulations to also go to students who were selected for the  California Music Educators Association Bay Section Honor Choir  (7th–9th grades), the   California Choral Directors Association (CCDA) Coastal Honor Choir  (a regional honor choir for 9–12th graders) ,  and the  Western American Choral Directors Association (WACDA) Honor Choir  (an honor choir for the Western USA for 4–12th graders). SCHOOL RESUMES ON JANUARY 5, 2026.  Happy Holidays to All! Calendar Highlights:   Please see messages from your school for complete information about events.   December 22–January 2:  NO SCHOOL, December Holiday January 5 , First Day of School, 2026 January 14:  Counted Out , 5:30–7:30pm, Ocean View Library. January 29:   Left Behind , 5:30–7:30pm, Albany High School Little Theater. Register for free tickets  here . Sincerely,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, Dec 19 2025

Superintendent's Community Update, December 12, 2025

New Board Of Education Officers, 1st Interim Financial Report, Winter Concert Series, & Counted Out Film Preview Dear Albany Community,   Each December, our Board of Education selects its president and vice president for the year ahead. At Tuesday’s meeting, we had the opportunity to thank Becky Hopwood for her leadership as Board President this past year. Becky has been a steady, thoughtful partner in this work. She leads with integrity, keeps students at the center, and approaches every conversation with a calm, solutions-oriented mindset. I am so grateful for the time and care she has invested in supporting our district and our community. We also thanked Joshua Mahoney for his service as Vice President. He was elected to serve as our new Board President, and Trustee Dayna Inkeles was elected as Vice President. I truly appreciate each of our trustees and the experience, perspective, and commitment they bring to AUSD. Looking ahead, in November 2026 our community will elect four new trustees. Serving on the Board of Education is one of the most meaningful ways a community member can contribute to the future of our schools. I encourage you to consider whether this might be a place where your leadership is needed. And if it’s not the right fit for you, please think about the engaged, thoughtful people in your life who care deeply about students and public education, and encourage them to consider running. We are grateful for everyone who partners with us to support AUSD. AUSD’s Finances When the District’s budget is passed in June for the next school year, we must project certain costs. For example, we don’t know our exact enrollment, and that makes a difference to our revenue and costs. Each December, the  First Interim Financial Report  is presented to Albany’s school board before it is sent to the County Office of Education. This report was presented at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting. It is important because projections made in June are replaced with actual figures. Please see the  First Interim Financial Report  or watch the  video of Chief Business Official Linda Wu’s presentation  to learn more.  Winter Concert Series Albany High’s Little Theater has been packed nightly with incredible performances from our middle and high school choirs and bands. Tonight the 4th and 5th grade elementary choirs will perform at Ocean View. The exceptional  AMS & AHS Winter Orchestra Concert  is pictured above. I know from personal experience that crowded venues with such notably remarkable student performances do not happen in all districts—AUSD, with help from the  Albany Music Fund , has prioritized music education. This type of learning benefits both our students’ brain development and their social/emotional learning. It also benefits our community, as we come together for these beautiful concerts during the holiday season. My thanks to all of our arts educators, to our supportive families, and to all the students who performed. Counted Out  Film Preview In our current information society, math influences many aspects of our daily lives. What we experience is underwritten by an invisible layer of math that few of us understand, or even notice. Our numeric literacy—whether we can speak the language of math—is a critical determinant of social and economic power. Through a mosaic of personal stories, expert interviews, and scenes of math transformation in action,  Counted Out  explores what is at risk in math education. We will be screening this important documentary on January 14. Please save the date, details to come. Calendar Highlights:   Please see messages from your school for complete information about events.   December 14:  Winter Wonderland Potluck, 4:30–6:30pm, OV MPR. Sign up  here. December 22–January 2:  NO SCHOOL, December Holiday January 14:  Counted Out , 5:30–7:30pm (Ocean View) Sincerely,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District

Friday, Dec 12 2025

AUSD’s Budget Development Process & Reflection On WC...

Dear AUSD Community, We know that our neighboring district, West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD), recently reached a tentative agreement with its teachers’ union following several days of labor action. We are glad to see our colleagues in WCCUSD moving toward stability and support for their educators. It is also important that our Albany community stays informed about how regional developments like this shape AUSD’s own compensation structure and long-term budget planning. Why Does Reviewing Other Salary Agreements In Our Region Matter? Agreements in nearby districts influence: Teacher recruitment Staff retention Labor market expectations Long-term planning Looking at regional trends helps us understand the broader landscape and stay competitive and stable. It is equally important to recognize that AUSD’s context—our enrollment trends, revenue structure, size, and long-term commitments—differs from that of other districts. Regional information provides helpful insight, but our own budget development process ultimately shapes the compensation packages we are able to offer our staff. By grounding our decisions in our specific context and community priorities, we ensure they remain responsible, sustainable, and aligned with the needs of our students and educators. Our Commitment To Teachers And Staff We care deeply about our teachers and staff. Their expertise, compassion, and daily work with students are at the heart of our mission. Students flourish when the adults who support them feel valued, respected, and supported. AUSD remains committed to: Attracting and retaining excellent educators Supporting meaningful professional learning Ensuring compensation—salary and benefits—is fair, competitive, and sustainable Protecting the long-term financial stability of our district As we move into our budgeting season, I want to share how we approach this work and why it matters. Our goal is always the same: to make thoughtful, responsible decisions that support our students and honor the people who serve them every day. As part of our annual budgeting process, we look closely at enrollment trends, revenue projections, and staffing costs to ensure we are fiscally responsible while investing in what matters most: our students and the people who serve them. At last night’s Board of Education meeting, we shared our  First Interim Budget Report  and Multi-Year Projections outlining our financial outlook for the years ahead. The Board of Education is ultimately responsible for the district’s fiscal solvency and has granted the superintendent the authority to develop and propose salary and benefit parameters that reflect both our financial reality and our commitment to supporting educators. What We Are Committed To During Budget Development Predictable, transparent budgeting Timely hiring Strong, inclusive community engagement Alignment of School Site Plans to our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Building trust through shared understanding of our goals Frequently Asked Questions What is the Budget Development Process? It is our yearly cycle of aligning resources with student needs, staffing requirements, district goals, and state mandates. What is the Budget Development Timeline? Budget development begins in late fall and continues through June: Enrollment projections inform staffing and program planning Early staffing work supports timely hiring and strong candidate pools School Site Council and LCAP engagement ensures alignment with district priorities The Governor’s January Budget Proposal gives the first statewide funding outlook The May Revision provides updated economic and revenue assumptions Draft budget presentations are shared in the spring for Board and community review The final budget is adopted in June How is the community a part of this process? We gather guidance and feedback from our community through: Staff, student, and family surveys School Site Councils Community meetings and town halls Leadership groups such as the Districtwide Instructional Leadership Team Student leadership groups This input helps shape priorities and ensures resources align with what our community values most. How can community members stay informed and engaged? Attend Board meetings (January 13 Budget Study Session) Participate in School Site Council discussions Join budget forums and town halls (dates coming soon) Follow ParentSquare updates Complete surveys Visit our district website www.ausdk12.org Reach out with questions at any time—we welcome partnership and dialogue! We hope this context is helpful as regional conversations continue to evolve. A stable and supported workforce is essential for our students, our schools, and the long-term health of our district. AUSD remains committed to investing in the people who make our schools exceptional while safeguarding the financial stability that allows our work to continue for years to come. Sincerely,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District

Thursday, Dec 11 2025

Technical Difficulties: No Zoom Option For Tonight's...

AUSD is experiencing technical difficulties at tonight's Board of Education Regular Meeting. We are unable to offer a Zoom option. The meeting is broadcast on AlbanyKALB through YouTube if you would like to see a livestream. Out goal is to provide the Zoom option at every regular meeting and we hope to have this issue resolved before the January meeting. Thank you for your understanding.   The Albany Unified School District’s Board of Education will hold its Regular Meeting on  Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM.  The public is encouraged to attend  in person  or virtually  via Zoom . Key agenda highlights include: Annual Board Organization : Election of board officers for the coming year Public Hearing on AUSD Submission of Application for Bond   Capacity Waiver, and Adoption of Resolution  to support future facilities projects Review and Approval of  FY 2025-26 First Interim Financial Report  📄  Board of Education Meeting –   View Meeting Agenda 📍   Albany City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Ave. 🗓️  Tuesday, December 9, 2025 • 6:00 PM Public Comment:  2 minutes per speaker; no ceding time.

Wednesday, Dec 10 2025

Board of Education Meeting – Tuesday, December 9 at ...

The Albany Unified School District’s Board of Education will hold its Regular Meeting on  Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM.  The public is encouraged to attend  in person  or virtually  via Zoom . Key agenda highlights include: Annual Board Organization : Election of board officers for the coming year Public Hearing on AUSD Submission of Application for Bond   Capacity Waiver, and Adoption of Resolution  to support future facilities projects Review and Approval of  FY 2025-26 First Interim Financial Report  📄  Board of Education Meeting –   View Meeting Agenda 📍   Albany City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Ave. 🗓️  Tuesday, December 9, 2025 • 6:00 PM 🔗  Join via Zoom:   https://ausdk12-org.zoom.us/j/86556459728 🆔  Webinar ID:  865 564 59728 📞  Dial-in:  +1 669-444-9171,,86556459728# Public Comment:  2 minutes per speaker; no ceding time. Zoom commenters should use the  Raise Hand  feature.

Saturday, Dec 06 2025

Superintendent's Community Update, December 5, 2025

Dear Albany Community,   We are kicking off budget season in AUSD —and we want to hear from you! Each year, we build our budget to reflect our Mission, Vision, and Core Values, and to ensure our resources meet the real needs and experiences of our students. Our goal is simple: direct our time, people, and dollars where they will make the greatest impact on student learning, belonging, and well-being. A critical part of our budget development is aligning resources with our student enrollment and Average Daily Attendance (ADA). Because state funding is tied directly to how many students attend school each day, strong attendance helps us sustain the programs, staffing, and supports our students rely on. This is one of the many reasons why students attending school every single day truly matters. Community Engagement Begins Now We start our budget conversations through School Site Council (SSC) meetings, where principals, families, staff, and students begin identifying school priorities grounded in data and student needs. Please make sure that you attend these meetings or share your ideas with SSC representatives. Following the January 13 Board Study Session, we will host several districtwide Town Halls (dates TBA) to gather broader community input. These sessions are a great opportunity to share your ideas, learn about the budget process, and help shape how we allocate resources for the year ahead. Your voice matters. Every insight—big or small—helps us build a budget that reflects our community and ensures every student in AUSD is supported, challenged, and able to thrive. Sustainable Lunch Trays Students at Ocean View Elementary were excited to start using reusable lunch trays this week, as shown in the photo above. Cornell Elementary transitioned to these trays about a year ago, and Marin Elementary last spring. Albany Unified is now the first school district in Alameda County to have all elementary schools using reusable trays, a great move for sustainability. The new stainless steel trays are sturdy, long-lasting, and replace disposable trays. By the end of the semester, Albany Unified will have served over 100,000 meals on non-toxic reusable trays. This equates to over 6,500 lbs of disposable trays. This move, outlined in AUSD’s  Environmental Action Plan , has been led by Executive Chef Sabrina Feinberg, in consultation with advisors from the Center for Environmental Health.  Calendar Highlights:   Please see messages from your school for complete information about events.   December 8:  AMS Cobra Band Concert, 7pm, AHS Little Theater December 9:  AMS 7th/8th Grade Band Concert, 7pm, AHS Little Theater December 9:   Regular Board Meeting December 10:  AHS/AMS Orchestra Concert, 7pm, AHS Little Theater December 11:  AHS Bands Winter Concert, 7pm, AHS Little Theater December 14:  Winter Wonderland Potluck, 4:30–6:30pm, OV MPR. Sign up  here. December 22–January 2:  NO SCHOOL, December Holiday Sincerely,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, Dec 05 2025

Superintendent's Community Update, November 21, 2025

AMS Turkey Trot, AUSD Vital Signs, 2026–27 Calendar, ICE Activity Hotline, & Staff Recognitions  Dear Albany Community,   The weather was beautiful on Tuesday for the annual AMS Turkey Trot. It’s a mile race run separately for each grade level during school hours. Spirits were high and students were cheered by their peers, whether they came in first or last. My sincere appreciation to all the AMS teachers for helping with this big event, and especially the AMS PE teachers for the incredible organization it takes to manage a race involving hundreds of students! AUSD Vital Signs At this week’s Board meeting, we shared our fall “Vital Signs”—key data indicating how students are performing academically, socially, and emotionally, as well as the effectiveness of our support for high-quality learning across the district. These results guide our work to ensure every student in Albany Unified feels connected, supported, and challenged every day. How Our Students Are Achieving Overall, AUSD students continue to perform at high levels: 77% of students in grades 3–11 met or exceeded standards in English Language Arts 68% met or exceeded standards in Math Multilingual Learners made strong growth in ELA (+7 percentage points) Latina/o/e students grew significantly in ELA (+12.3 DFS) Our district earned Green/Blue, the two highest performance levels, on all seven  California Dashboard  indicators These are accomplishments we are proud of and want to continue building on. Where We Need to Grow Some student groups are not experiencing the same level of success: 43% of Black students in the tested grades are proficient in English Language Arts Only 13% of Multilingual Learners in grades 6–8 are reading at or above benchmark Reading data shows fewer students with disabilities and socioeconomically disadvantaged students meeting early literacy benchmarks English Learner progress on the Dashboard declined slightly These differences highlight where we must focus our efforts so that every student has access to strong instruction and the support they need to grow. Student Belonging and Well-Being We know students do better in school when they feel like they belong, have friends, and trust the adults around them. Belonging helps students attend school more regularly, try new things, and stay engaged. The Good News Attendance has improved over the past three years Suspension rates remain low (between 1–2%) Students report stronger relationships with caring adults on campus Where We Still Have Work to Do Attendance has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels Students with disabilities, Latina/o/e students, and Black/African American students are more often chronically absent Students with disabilities are suspended at higher rates than other students We want every child to feel seen, welcomed, and supported each day. What We’re Focusing On in 2025–26 To support both academic growth and belonging, AUSD will prioritize: Strengthening Early Literacy Piloting new evidence-based literacy programs in Pre-K, TK, and K–5 Increasing progress monitoring to make sure students get timely support Ensuring small-group differentiated instruction (WIN Time) is used effectively for all students Supporting Outstanding Instruction Helping teachers plan together and use shared routines and strategies Building a districtwide Vision for Math Instruction Improving Belonging and Behavior Supports Strengthening restorative practices to keep students in class Reviewing suspension data to understand and address root causes Improving our student support (COST) systems to respond quickly and consistently when students need help In Partnership With You We are proud of our students’ accomplishments and grateful for the partnership of families, staff, and the Albany community. At the same time, we remain committed to addressing inequities so all students can thrive. Your questions, feedback, and involvement are essential as we continue this work together. For more information, please visit the AUSD website to see the full Vital Signs presentation and state Dashboard results. 2026–27 School Year Calendar The Board of Education passed the  Academic Calendar for 2026–27  at Tuesday’s meeting. Next year, school will begin on Wednesday, , August 12, 2026. ICE Activity & Hotline The  Alameda County Immigration Legal Education Partnership (ACILEP)  confirmed ICE activity earlier today at Cherryland Elementary School in Hayward. You can receive their updates by visiting their website, linked above, or following them on  Facebook  or  Instagram . Please see  this message  for detailed information and resources about AUSD’s stance as a Safe Haven .  Staff Spotlights We are recognizing  Pam Lim-McAlister , Head of the AHS World Languages department and beloved Spanish teacher. Ms. Lim-McAlister, affectionately known as “Profe”, won the 2024 NBC Sports Bay Area All-Star Teacher of the Year, bringing a prize of $30,000 to Albany High School. Her energy and positive attitude continue unabated. “Aside from being a great teacher, Pam goes above and beyond to support our department, the students, and the staff. She is highly dedicated to teaching and serving her students and the community.” AMS Day Custodian  Nik Williams  was also recognized for his incredible work ethic, his care and concern for students, and his professionalism. AMS staff say that Nik is a fantastic person and coworker. “He welcomes you with a smile and always has something nice to say. He works so hard to keep our school clean and organized.” To be nominated by your colleagues is an honor, and Mr. Williams has been nominated by multiple people—a testament to the excellence he brings to his position. Congratulations!  Calendar Highlights:   Please see messages from your school for complete information about events.   November 24–28:  NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Holiday December 3:  AMS Choir Concert, 7pm, AHS Little Theater December 4:  AHS Choirs Winter Concert, 7pm, AHS Little Theater December 8:  AMS Cobra Band Concert, 7pm, AHS Little Theater December 9:  AMS 7th/8th Grade Band Concert, 7pm, AHS Little Theater December 9:   Regular Board Meeting December 10:  AHS/AMS Orchestra Concert, 7pm, AHS Little Theater December 11:  AHS Bands Winter Concert, 7pm, AHS Little Theater December 22–January 2:  NO SCHOOL, December Holiday Sincerely,  Sara Stone Superintendent Albany Unified School District

Friday, Nov 21 2025