The Alba-Golden Board of Trustees on Monday set the date for Alba-Golden Schools Financial Integrity Reporting System of Texas public meeting as Monday, Nov. 13.

In the same vein, Director of Finance Kaitlynn Hawley briefed a number of recent changes to financial operations. Those included institution of pre-loaded cash cards for travel, the use of the Frontline program for processing employment applications and associated paperwork, on-line payments at the school store, standardization of meal costs at $8 for breakfast and $10 for lunch and dinner, and increased training and communications. One result of these changes has been significantly less cash handling at the school and increased awareness of financial processes.

Superintendent Shelby Davidson noted that the annual budget will resolve with a significant surplus – achieved during a trying year as the school transitioned from 5-day to 4-day instruction.

Hawley advised the board that the district will undergo its annual, third-party audit next month.

Deborah Perry briefed the board on three projects under investigation by the Alba-Golden Education Foundation. They include construction of a day care facility for teachers, addition of a ‘learning differently classroom’ and refurbishment of the gardening program.   

Elementary school principal Tracy Browning advised that academic awards for the first 9-weeks will be presented on Thursday, Oct. 19. She also noted that Oct. 23-26 will be Red Ribbon Week and that the annual fall festival will take place Tuesday, Oct. 31 in the gymnasium.

High school principal Brittany Hall announced the Young Farmers Leadership Contest to be hosted Friday, Oct. 27, and remarked on the many students who will be participating in the Golden Sweet Potato Festival.

Athletic Director Drew Webster explained that this Friday’s football game at Rivercrest will determine which of the two teams will be continuing on to the playoffs. He also advised that a district championship in cross country is a very real possibility with the district meet being held this week at North Hopkins.  

Students of the month recognized before the board were Garett Wright (secondary school), Judson Paben (junior high) and Isabelle Lavy (elementary). 

No action was taken by the board on the level three grievance discussed in closed session.