Alba-Golden ISD approved an $11.4 million budget for the 2024-25 school year Monday. The balanced budget will be supported by a $.78420 property tax rate which was also unanimously approved. 

Superintendent Shelby Davidson remarked that the district should feel quite proud of this budget, as it meets all requirements, incorporates some new initiatives and remains balanced.

“Over 50% of the school districts in Texas are working on deficit budgets,” he added.

The combined tax rate of $.78420 is composed of $.75520 for maintenance and operations, and $.02900 for principal and interest. The combined rate came in below the voter approval rate. 

Completion of a State of Texas School District Vulnerability Assessment also headlined the meeting. Alba-Golden met over 90% of requirements, after having volunteered to be one of the first districts in the state to undergo the assessment.  

Davidson advised that each district must be assessed every four years. The board acted on two findings by funding additional window safety film and approving a standard behavioral threat assessment procedure for use at all campuses.

School administrators reported a ‘high energy’ beginning to the school year with 374 students in elementary school and 429 present in secondary school. Athletic Director Drew Webster said there are 105 students in the football program, 70 in volleyball and 18 committed to cross country. 

The board meeting followed a public hearing on the budget which was opened and closed with no public comment. 

Once reconvened, the board recognized the retirement of teacher Muna Mitchell. Retiring after 21 years in the classroom, Mitchell had spent 15 years at Alba-Golden schools. Her last stint was teaching elementary music. 

In her remarks, Mitchell thanked trustee Dwayne Ellis, who was serving as superintendent when Mitchell joined Alba-Golden

 “You trusted me, made me feel so welcome, and I appreciate that,” Mitchell stated.

School volunteer Stephanie Beverly solicited the board for approval of an Alba-Golden trap-shooting team. The team, Beverly reported, is a non-profit organization which – in the same manner as the fishing team -- sought only the affiliation of Alba-Golden schools. 

She described the rigorous standards of the team and the growing competitive environment of trap-shooting in Texas high schools. The board approved the team to represent Alba-Golden.

The board committed $13,000 for a contract in data management to assist in gathering, interpreting and acting on the large amount of testing results generated each school year.    

A variety of administrative actions serving the opening of the school year were acted upon by the board. They included approvals for extracurricular status for the 4-H organization, a teaching agreement with UT Tyler, a handful of budget amendments and approval of school handbooks.