News

The School Board unanimously voted to send a $159 million bond measure to voters in the May 16, 2017, election.

The measure would:

• Make upgrades and improvements, including replacing roofs, siding, windows, plumbing, electrical systems in schools around the District.
• Make energy improvements, including replacing old, inefficient high maintenance heating/ventilation systems, doors, which would save energy costs.
• Make safety/security upgrades, including automatic door locks, fire alarms, security cameras to improve the safety of students.
• Make seismic upgrades to enable buildings to better withstand earthquakes.
• Renovate and/or add classroom space to support vocational/technical classes for all district middle school buildings.
• Renovate and add classrooms and a cafeteria at Oak Grove Elementary School; purchase property and construct a new elementary school in NE Albany to address growing enrollment and reduce overcrowding.
• Complete the first phase of West Albany High School’s rebuild that would include new classrooms, commons, auditorium, cafeteria and administrative space; and multipurpose space for vocational/technical education and gymnasium uses at South Albany High School.

The bond proposal is the result of a more than two-year process to identify facility needs in the District. The projects were reviewed by architects and recommended by a community-based District Facilities Advisory Committee (DFAC) that was made up of community members, parents and staff members.

DFAC initially identified more than $250 million in facility needs. This proposal represents the School Board’s priority to balance the most critical needs and the cost to taxpayers. This bond proposal is expected to increase taxes by an estimated $.64 per $1,000 of assessed property value because the 2006 bond is expiring.

For more information, read the resolution and explanatory statement. 

Find more information on the bond information page.

Girls from Albany Options, South Albany and West Albany high schools attended the second annual Women, Metals and Manufacturing Day at Linn Benton Community College on Friday.

The program provided hands-on opportunities to learn about training for skilled, high-demand jobs, including Computer-Aided Design and Drafting (CADD), Machine Tool Technology, Welding and Fabrication, Mechatronics Industrial Maintenance and Non-Destructive Testing.

The event was sponsored by LBCC, Albany Chamber of Commerce Pipeline to Jobs program and local manufacturers.

Photo by Democrat-Herald

West Albany High School Press Release:

West Albany High School student Marissa Fieland has been selected for the 2017 High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. She will perform Soprano 1 in February with the Concert Choir. Participation in one of the five Honors Ensembles is limited to the highest-rated high school performers from across the world.

Earlier this year, Fieland auditioned for the Honors Performance Series and was accepted after a review by the Honors Selection Board. Acceptance to the elite group is a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated in her application and audition recording. She will join other performers from all 50 United States, Guam, two Canadian provinces, and a number of foreign countries for a special performance at world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement.

According to Morgan Smith, Program Director, “Being selected to the Honors Performance Series is something each finalist should be extremely proud of accomplishing. We processed more than 18,000 nominations this year and have selected nearly 750 of the most talented student performers from around the world. Working with these conductors and performing at Carnegie Hall is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that these musicians never forget.”

Marissa Fieland has studied music for six and a half years. Currently, she studies with Amy Hansen and is under the direction of West Albany music teachers Cate Caffarella for choir and Stuart Welsh for band. Previously she studied under Mrs. Wind and Mr. Nelson.

Marissa is a member of West Albany High School’s A Capella Choir, Rhythmix Choir, and Drumline. She has been a member of the Oregon All-State Choir for four years (2014-2017). She will perform in the All Northwest Choir in February of 2017. She won first place at the Oregon district 11 Solo and Ensemble Festival for Soprano voice in 2015 and 2016; last year she went on to place third in the State Solo Competition.

In response to her selection as a Finalist, Marissa Fieland said, “I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. I’ve worked hard to get here and God has been very good to me.”

Finalists will come together in New York City for five days in February. They will have the opportunity to learn from world-renowned conductors, work with other finalists, and get a taste of New York City. Two performances, an Honors Choral Performance and an Honors Instrumental Performance, will take place Sunday, Feb. 5, and are open to the public.

Marissa will hold a fundraising concert to raise money for her trip to New York on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at North Albany Community Church . There is a suggested donation of $5-10.

With the assistance of Central Willamette Community Credit Union, West Albany High School hosted a Financial Reality Fair for WAHS seniors on December 13.

Read more here.

The WAHS Drama performances of Almost, Maine by John Cariani have been rescheduled to Thursday January 19 at 7:00 p.m., Friday January 20 at 7:00 p.m., and January 21 at 2:30 p.m.

The West A Bistro, part of the WAHS Culinary Arts Program serves up fine dining: see video here.