By unanimous vote, the Alba-Golden School Board called a bond election for $16 million at Monday’s  board meeting. The measure will be voted on at the May 7 election.  

Prior to the vote, Superintendent Cole McClendon briefed the board that the recommendation was the result of 12 months of work by the Facilities Improvement Committee.

The committee, McClendon noted, was unanimous in sending the recommendation to the board. The entire building project carries a projected cost of $17 million with $1 million coming directly from the school district fund balance.

The superintendent detailed the proposal as having three parts: construction of a six-classroom elementary school expansion, construction of a multi-purpose competition gymnasium and renovation of the career technology building.

Upon approval of the bond election, the board voted to retain the law firms of Haynes & Boone, LLP and Powell Law Group to provide specialized services in connection with the issuance of public securities. The board received a training session detailing communications guidelines for school district employees and board members.

In other action, an election for two places on the school board was called and will also take place May 7.

Administrative contracts for Assistant Principal Brittany Hall, Business Manager Brenda Kelley, Assistant Principal Michael Moore, Curriculum Director Megan Smith, High School Principal Macie Thompson, Athletic Director Drew Webster and Elementary School Principal Kevin Wright were approved for 2022-24.

The status of Continuing Technical Education (CTE) programs was given a human touch before the board, as teaching leads in a number of CTE pathways introduced their students and described their work. Updates were given for the areas of construction, culinary arts, hospitality, health sciences, sports medicine, animal science, mechanics and animal husbandry.  Ag Instructor Richard Lovorn also introduced students from the seventh grade agri-science class – a new addition to the curriculum this year.

Students Coplan Tunnell and Maxx Davis received recognition as elementary and secondary school students of the month, respectively. Tunnell, a budding zoologist, was quoted as saying he liked Alba-Golden school because “the teachers ran a tight ship.”  Teachers lauded Tunnell for his work ethic and determination. 

High Schooler Maxx Davis returned for another student of the month award. Staff members commented on his faultless courtesy and amazingly-good nature. Davis participates in a wide range of school activities and hopes to one day return to Alba-Golden schools as the music director.