The Alba-Golden ISD Board of Trustees dispatched a significant number of action items Monday, possibly none more important to the future of the district than approval of a Facility Study Agreement with the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB).

The comprehensive facility study will commence in March and conclude with a report to the board in July. The agreement was unanimously approved and will cost the district $27,400 – to be paid in three annual installments. The study will be automatically updated each year for three years.

Superintendent Shelby Davidson stated, “This agreement will allow an objective assessment by an experienced third-party group.” It is anticipated that the results of the TASB study will guide deliberations regarding new construction and campus renovations.

The meeting also included a public hearing at which the school staff disclosed the 2022-23 Texas Academic Performance Report. Although the accountability ratings are yet unknown due to continued litigation, the report detailed objective and subjective measures of the district. 

Of note, Alba-Golden ISD  received an ‘A’ financial rating. While registering a 94.3% attendance rate, it was also noted that there were zero drop-outs in this past school year. No violent or criminal incidents occurred on campus. 

The school met the district goals for progress in 3rd grade reading and math and nurtured drastic increases in secondary school college, career and military readiness. However, there was a 7% drop in students taking dual-credit classes. 

The Alba-Golden teaching staff are more experienced than state-wide averages. Fifty-seven percent of the district’s student population is qualified as economically-disadvantaged.  

Davidson commented that as with all measurable standards, the district seeks continuous progress in becoming a center of academic excellence. He stated that behind all the numbers are individual students, with names, and that it is the district’s job to educate each individual student. 

In support of this challenge, the board unanimously approved a set of five school board goals. The goals (abbreviated) are aggressive academic growth; fiscal accountability; safety from physical and cyber threats; facilities development and maintenance; and improved communications between the board, the staff and the community.

The board also approved administrative and term contracts for the upcoming school year as well as the 2024-25 school calendar.  School will start on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 and end on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

The board acted to accept two information technology expenditures – a $27,600 purchase of two Dell servers, and the buy-out of a lease of 330 iPads for $44,000.  

The Dell servers were briefed as being a key component in maintaining a high degree of cyber security. The buy-out of the iPad lease was described as the most fiscally-responsible course of action in view of the lease agreement. Davidson added, “We are getting out of the leasing game.”

The recently awarded state security grant will be used to continue the fencing initiative on campus. Precision Fence of Quitman was approved for the fencing project for $289,900. 

In their monthly updates, administrators described what is likely the busiest time of the school year. The elementary school will be conducting a Random Act of Kindness Week next week, while the secondary school just completed a successful career day with over 40 professions represented.   

The high school Academic Rodeo team took the area championship last week by defeating Lindale High School. Spring sports are in full swing, with  Panther basketball teams just beginning playoff action and six powerlifters expected to qualify for regional competition. 

Kindergartener Presley Dieken, seventh-grader Addisyn Massie and sophomore Alex Pfingsten were publicly recognized as students of the month. Pfingsten intends to become a combat medic in the U.S. Army; Massie expects to become a nurse  – “just like my Mom” she stated;  and Dieken’s goal is to help others and be the best she can be.