Alba-Golden School Board named Dr. Shelby Davidson as the lone finalist Monday to become the next school superintendent.

Following a brief closed session, board president Matt Haisten described the hiring process which garnered 22 applicants. Six received interviews at special board meetings conducted over three evenings last week.

A native of Van, Davidson comes to Alba-Golden after having taught and coached at Wills Point, Van and Tyler schools. He has most recently served as the Van Middle School principal. He also brings unique insights to the position as he has served as a school board member and president for Van ISD from 1998-2011.

Davidson indicated three aspects which shape his thinking: nurturing strong relationships, maintaining an open-door policy with staff and community, and building an academic powerhouse. He credits his FFA experiences as continuing to mold his thinking. 

The prospective superintendent remarked that he remains family-oriented and dependent on his faith in all that he does. Davidson pastors at the New Beginnings Community Church near Van. He and his wife Amanda – a teacher at Van – have been married for 26 years and have three adult children, two of which are graduates of Texas A&M University. 

Davidson’s educational background includes a baccalaureate in business administration from the University of Texas, a masters in public policy from Baylor University and a doctorate in education from Lamar University.   

The board must wait 20 days before offering a contract. The vote naming Davidson finalist was unanimous. Trustee Terry Clark was absent but sent a letter of support.

He would replace Macie Thompson who is taking a position as Lindale Junior High principal.

In other matters, the board approved out-of-state travel, July 18-20, for the FFA officers’ annual excursion to Broken Bow, Okla.

The board also approved resignations from elementary school principal Chris Massey, secondary assistant principal Chad Hodges and teachers Anna Halcomb and Haleigh Littleton. 

 A Level 3 grievance was tabled by unanimous vote, without public discussion.