The Albany City School District held a public meeting on May 8, 2025, focusing on the graduation report presented by Principal Comenford. The meeting began with an acknowledgment of Tricia Wolf, the director for data and accountability, for her contributions to the report.

The presentation outlined the graduation business rules, emphasizing that the cohort year is determined by the first date of entry into ninth grade. The report detailed the graduation rates for the 2020 cohort, which includes students who remain in the district even if they do not enroll in another school. The graduation rate is calculated by dividing the number of graduates by the total cohort.

Comenford highlighted the challenges faced in locating students who are still enrolled but not attending school, often due to personal circumstances. He noted that efforts are made to contact families before dropping students from the roster, with some success in encouraging students to return.

The report also discussed the impact of summer school on graduation rates, showing an increase in students graduating after attending summer sessions. The graduation rates for students with disabilities and English language learners (ELL) were identified as areas needing improvement, with specific strategies planned to address these challenges.

The meeting included discussions on the comparison of Albany's graduation rates with other high-need districts in the state, revealing that Albany's rates are affected by a higher number of ELL and special education students. The overall graduation rate for the district was reported at 71%, with a noted decrease in the dropout rate from 11% to 5%.

Board members expressed concerns about the achievement gaps among different student demographics, particularly African American and ELL students. They emphasized the importance of early intervention and monitoring to support students who may struggle academically.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue monitoring student progress and implementing strategies to improve graduation rates, particularly for vulnerable student populations. The district plans to enhance academic supports and address staffing challenges in special education to better serve all students.