The full Alba-Golden school board met Monday evening, beginning a new chapter in the story of Alba-Golden ISD.

Three new members – Jessica Christian, Terry Clark and Kristopher Quintana – joined board veterans Dwayne Ellis, Matt Haisten (president), Brad Lennon and Mike Ragsdale.

Having accepted a contract at a special board meeting July 4, Dr. Shelby Davidson attended as the Alba-Golden superintendent.

During reports to the board, the 2023-24 school year’s Meet the Teacher schedule was disclosed. The campus will host a celebration on Friday, Aug. 4. Secondary school Meet the Teacher will be conducted from 4-6 p.m. and elementary school from 5-7 p.m. A Meet the Panthers community-wide pep rally will follow at 7:30. Pre-game activities begin at 6, and the evening will finish with an intrasquad football scrimmage. 

Tuesday, Aug. 8 is the first day of school. 

Finance Director Kaitlynn Hawley reported on the many factors influencing district finances and illustrated the impact of inflation on the budget as well as the impact of all federal COVID-related funding coming to an end. She anticipated that the 2023-24 budget will be quite similar to the previous year’s budget. 

She recommended a plus-up for special education and extra-curricular activities, planning for bus purchases, accommodating higher insurance rates, and ensuring that all payroll lines of accounting are sourced once again through the general operating fund. She estimated that the district will have a fund balance of $6.14 million at the beginning of the 2023-24 fiscal year.

In separate action, the board scheduled a special meeting  Aug. 28 to address the tax rate and the upcoming proposed budget. 

Hawley was followed by Curriculum Director Megan Smith, who presented the results of end of class testing. Of note, Alba-Golden students surpassed the state averages in algebra, English I, English II and biology.  

Smith also offered a sobering report that the accountability system used by the state to grade schools (A-F), is being revised. The new Accountability Manual containing the revisions to the system is expected to be available in August. Changes to both requirements and “cut-points” defining the A-F standards are not yet known. She acknowledged that a change in standards could bring some significant changes to school rankings. 

The board approved student handbooks for both schools and the athletic department. No significant changes were made to the elementary school handbook. The secondary school handbook now includes an “Away for the Day” cellular telephone policy. It also included changes to the definition of honor graduates, addressed transfer class credits, amended the dress code for short-pants length and piercings, and detailed step-by-step disciplinary procedures.

The athletic handbook spelled out the consequences of vaping, bringing them in line with UIL standards. It also added detailed procedures to arrange for parent conferences with coaches.

The board also approved a security agreement with Wood County Sheriff’s Office for assignment of a deputy to the campus. This year’s agreement will mandate that the district pick up the funding for salary and benefits. 

Slight increases in the cost of breakfast and lunch were also approved. 

All votes taken were unanimous, except for the approval of the handbooks. Trustee Mike Ragsdale was the sole dissenting vote. He did not offer the rationale of his dissent. 

In addition to Superintendent Davidson’s hiring at the July 4 meeting, Tracy Browning, Brandon Bohannan and Kevin Wright were hired to serve as elementary school principal, elementary assistant principal and secondary school assistant principal, respectively.