The Alba-Golden school board hired Brittany Hall as the next Alba-Golden high school principal on Monday. Hall is serving as an assistant principal at the school.

A native of Katy, Hall is a graduate of Texas A&M University and attained a master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin University. She and her husband, Lee, have two children, a seven-year old and a toddler. Hall remarked that she is very excited at the opportunity to lead Alba-Golden High School and is humbled at the trust placed in her. 

Monday’s board meeting coincided with the first work day of the School Resource Officer, Kevin Atkinson. Sheriff Kelly Cole, a 1982 graduate of Alba-Golden, introduced Officer Atkinson to the board. Cole briefed the board that fortuitous circumstances allowed the Sheriff’s Office to provide the officer – and vehicle – within the Sheriff’s Office budget.  

“We need to ensure the safety of your young ones, especially as the school is located along a major highway…they are our future,” Cole stated. He commented that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which governs the officer’s assignment is a flexible document which will evolve over time. He welcomed open communication with the district. The MOU was officially approved unanimously by the board.

A host of end-of-year activities was briefed by principal Macie Thompson. They included an honors banquet and academic olympics. Both events lead up to the Alba-Golden High School graduation scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, May 20 at the Hopkins County Civic Center Auditorium in Sulphur Springs.

Thompson also briefed the board on the success realized this year in attaining college, career and military readiness (CCMR) standards. She reported that 94% of the graduating class has completed CCMR certificates. In total, 135 certificates were awarded this scholastic year. 

In other action, the board approved teaching contracts for new hires Bronwyn Elam, Hannah Ellis and Samantha Paben. Elam and Ellis will be teaching at the elementary school, while Paben will be joining the secondary school staff.

Valedictorian Thai Peterson and salutatorian Michael Gaskill were presented before the board. Both young men explained their further educational and professional ambitions. 

Athletic director Drew Webster introduced Jake Hallman and Micah Smith to the board. Hallman was recognized for qualifying to run at the state track and field championships. Hallman will run at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Smith had been at a competitive FFA event during the Panther baseball team’s senior night, and therefore Webster recounted his athletic achievements and future ambitions before the board.

The highlight of the meeting was the introduction of sixth-grader Jayla Sitar and fourth-grader Avery Haisten as the secondary school and elementary school students of the month. 

 Both young ladies were beaming as their respective principals read comments from many of their teachers. The young ladies and their parents were justifiably proud of the many complimentary statements about the students’ character and performance.