Recognition of students and staff highlighted Monday’s Alba-Golden school board meeting. The FFA leadership team which finished eighth in state, the bi-district champion volleyball team and the playoff-qualifying varsity football team received individual recognition.

The Alba-Golden FFA leadership team performed a mock meeting for the board. It was above all else, professionally done and exact. 

The board also presented scholastic artist Audrey Martin with a framed version of her winning 2021 Alba-Golden ISD Christmas card. The colorful card portrayed a reindeer with lights tangled in its horns and will be used this year as the official card of the district. 

As a part of normal monthly activities, the students of the month were also lauded before the board. Third-grader Jason Jenkins and seventh-grader Emery Deatherage received awards as the elementary and secondary students of the month, respectively.

Jenkins’ selection generated great excitement among the teachers at the elementary school. He was described as a joy to have in class and complimented on the great academic progress he has made. Principal Kevin Wright commented that he is flourishing as a reader and is beloved in the school for his creativity and willingness to learn. 

Deatherage was described as a bright, shining star. She is involved in multiple activities including theater, FFA, the Junior National Honor Society and a variety of sports. Her plans are to attend Texas A&M University to pursue either a game warden commission or qualification as a veterinarian.

The business office and administration of Alba-Golden schools was also recognized through the receipt of two reports: the state’s Financial Integrity Rating System (FIRST) from the school year 2019-20, and the 2020-21 financial audit report conducted by Rutherford Taylor and Company of Greenville. 

Business Manager Brenda Kelley briefed the exhaustive FIRST report. The district received a rating of superior. The report stated that Alba-Golden schools was in a very strong financial position, with no areas of concern. 

Kelley thanked the board members, the superintendent and especially the staff of the business office for their support and hard work. “The business office staff works with impeccable integrity,” she stated, “and their work ethic is amazing.”

Beau Sheldy of Rutherford Taylor and Company detailed the 2020-21 audit. A clean, unmodified audit was presented. As of Sept. 1, the district had an end-of-year general fund balance of $6,392,603. There were no findings discovered during the audit, and the district has no litigation pending.

In other matters, the board deferred a decision on replacement of the marquee until the January meeting. After acknowledging the long-term positive impact of his service, the board accepted the retirement letter of career technology instructor Stanley Shipp.

The board also approved the membership of the School Health Advisory Committee as proposed by Director of Curriculum Megan Smith.