Following a closed session, the Alba-Golden school board unanimously approved a number of school employees to carry firearms on campus at the Nov. 12 regular board meeting. For obvious security reasons no more specific information was forthcoming regarding the initiative. Superintendent Dwayne Ellis commented, “It was an unfortunate but necessary measure to take in today’s times.”

Also by unanimous vote, the board granted pursuit of a waiver for the 2019 summer feeding program at the school. The summer feeding program, known as the Seamless Summer Program, is required by the state for schools having greater than 50% student population from economically-disadvantaged households. Alba-Golden is approximately 55% economically-disadvantaged. The small number of students (10 – 20) who had historically participated in the program over the past six years made the program fiscally and logistically inefficient and impractical. The need which the program served will be referred to the Mineola and Tyler food bank programs.

In other action, the board received a thorough package, documenting the school’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program, for review. The comprehensive report included information on ESL teachers as well as comparative analysis between ESL and non-ESL students. No action was required nor taken by the board in this matter.

Hope Wiley was named secondary school student of the month while grade schooler Kinsey Koonce was so named for the elementary school. Daughter of Jason and Toni Wiley, sophomore Wiley is active in a multitude of school activities to include volleyball, National Honor Society, the Key Club, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Additionally, she works part time at the Happy Hearts Learning Academy in Emory.

Wiley was described as a “shining example for the whole school,” an active student and mentor, and one who creates a positive and loving environment in all situations.

School board President Mike Ragsdale was joined by Board Members Joe Carr, Nick Kerry, Jackie Staley, Jason Stovall, and James Wilkinson. Board Member Brady Robinson was absent.