Discussions of school improvement plans dominated Monday’s Alba-Golden school board meeting. 

The board received briefings on the District Improvement Plan, the Elementary School Improvement Plan and the High School Improvement Plan. These formalized plans are the mechanisms through which changes are made at the school in order to increase the school’s state ratings. 

Elementary school principal Kevin Wright detailed the most meaningful addition to the elementary school generated by the plan. The Panther Power-up Program is an after-school session targeting youngsters who have suffered academically due to last year’s truncated school year. He reported that 60 second through fifth graders participate. 

New this fall, the afternoon sessions provide extra instruction in a positive and competitive environment. In his judgment, the program is already a success. Wright said, “The key to the program is letting the students see that they are growing and learning.”

High school principal Macie Thompson described several initiatives derived from the plan. Chief among them are efforts already underway to add continuing education pathways for health care and education.

Additionally Thompson reported the addition of a second Response to Intervention coordinator. Shelby Keller has been assigned in the new position, which is charged with coordinating extra instruction on an individual basis. As of this fall, there are now two such coordinators at Alba-Golden, one in elementary and one in high school. 

Thompson also briefed that a Gifted and Talented class has been added to the junior high curriculum. Other changes include the contracting of a Wood County deputy for duties on the campus each school day, the use of the STOP IT application for reporting questionable behavior, and a structured system of individual meetings with students who have incurred habitual absences. 

In other matters, Jackson Construction briefed the board that, with the exception of some pen panels delayed in delivery, the ag-science center will be ready for a punch-list walkabout next week.

Of special note, fifth-grader Lilly Price and eighth-grader Karson Beverly were recognized as elementary and secondary students of the month, respectively.  

Price – whose favorite hobbies are karate and softball – was lauded as a model student. Her motivation, independence and confidence have made her an extraordinarily positive influence at Alba-Golden elementary.    

Beverly has his sights set on Texas A&M University and a degree in chemical engineering. Several of Beverly’s teachers commented about his curiosity, confidence and kind-heartedness. All agreed that his courteous nature and inquisitive mind made him an exceptional student.