The newly-created Alba-Golden Education Foundation briefed district trustees at Monday’s board meeting that they had raised $65,000 in the first three weeks of fundraising. A comprehensive presentation by Deborah Perry featured future plans for large fundraising events including a fall festival and a spring dueling pianos evening in April.  

The goal of the foundation in its first year will  be to raise $250,000. The foundation board has identified seven types of grants for which the funds would be used. They range from student and staff recognition to critical needs identified by teachers for specific students, to classroom improvements and a rainy-day fund. 

Among the collection of marketing literature created by the foundation board are yard placards which feature the foundation’s motto, “Coming together for Education,” on one side and “Proud Supporter” or “I donated” on the opposite.

School administrators provided the board with impressions of the first week of classes. Each noted the sense of excitement and joy which accompanied the start of school.

Elementary school principal Tracey Browning reported 400 attendees, up from last year’s 388. She said a literary night will be forthcoming in late September.

Secondary school principal Brittany Hall reported 471 students, down slightly from the 480 present at the end of last school year. Hall commented that academic growth is the top priority for the secondary school.  

In addition to thanking the community for the welcome he has received, Superintendent Shelby Davidson announced the hiring of Terry Busby as the district’s director of operational safety. Additionally, he recognized Nancy Nash, who came to know Davidson during his career at Van ISD and was renowned for walking the halls of the school while praying for students.

Finance Director Kaitlynn Hawley presented a draft budget to the board. The $11.2 million balanced budget is notable in that it restored all payroll expenditures to the general operating account.

The proposed property tax rate was briefed as $0.78650 per $100 value. This represents a decrease to the average residence tax of $452.80.   

Megan Smith, curriculum director, informed the board that the district’s Teacher Incentive Plan had been approved by the state. Smith advised that this year will be a data-gathering year and that the first stipends from the program would be dispersed in the 2025-26 school year.

After a one-hour, 27 minute closed door session, the board reconvened to award a fuel bid, approve an exemption to the school security plan and approve immediate purchase of 300 Dell Chromebooks.  

Trustee Brad Lennon was the sole absentee.