The search for a new superintendent of Alba-Golden Independent School District commenced Monday evening as the school board approved the resignation of Superintendent Macie Thompson. 

Thompson has accepted the junior high principal position in Lindale but will remain in her present duties until June 30.

Board President Jason Stovall thanked Thompson for her hard work, leadership and investment in Alba-Golden schools. He wished her continued success.

Following the unanimous acceptance of Thompson’s resignation, the board conducted a short discussion regarding options. Stovall reviewed the three options available: hiring a private firm to conduct an applicant search, using the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) for the search or running the whole process through the school board.  

Trustee Dwayne Ellis said, “We post the vacancy, conduct the interviews and do it ourselves. The community voted each of us to this board to make decisions just like this one. I do not want someone from outside the community to come in and tell us who to hire.”   

Ellis is a former AGISD superintendent.

Trustee Mike Ragsdale noted that the board has experience in doing just that in the recent past.

Stovall commented that “You do get a little wider search by going through an agency or TASB.” 

The open discussion warmed to the idea of doing the hiring process directly through the board. After closing the discussion, Stovall summarized the motion as deciding not to hire an interim superintendent and to immediately begin a school board-led hiring process. The motion proposed by Ellis and seconded by trustee Brad Lennon passed unanimously.

The board also unanimously approved the resignation of trustee Grant Sadler. No public comment was offered by Sadler, who had one year remaining on his term. 

In other action, teachers Troy Wilson, Jennifer Edgar, Amanda Nabors and Erin York were approved for employment. Resignations were accepted from teachers Keelyn Swoape, Makenna Wallace, Richard Lovorn, Marcy Curry, Pat Quattlebaum, Vicky Walker, Melissa Rhodes and Ron Davis.

Direct relations on the board abstained when the votes approving teacher contracts for Tamela Ellis, Dana Haisten and Walter Ragsdale were approved as a part of the approval for all teacher contracts for 2023-24 school year.

In financial matters, the board committed $124,523 to L&L Construction for asphalt paving of the south parking lot expansion. Also committed was an additional $56,471 to clean, repair and reseal the other asphalt lots on campus. 

Additional action taken included approval of a Teacher Incentive Allotment Plan and approval of amendments to the District of Innovation Plan.

Thompson updated the board that a new pump for the sewage lift station was to be installed next week. She advised that an additional $300,000 would be required to complete the lift station renovation.    

She also advised that officers had been elected for the new AGISD Education Foundation and that a tax-exempt status had been achieved by the foundation. With these two actions, she noted, fundraising would commence soon. 

The evening began with student recognition. It was noted that 40 students showed livestock at the livestock show. 

This was a 50% increase from last year. The new agri-science project center was described as having a huge impact on the number of students involved in animal husbandry.

Sports accolades for basketball, golf and the inaugural class of Alba-Golden powerlifters – which included recognition of regional champion in the 123-pound class, Cacie Lennon – were made by Athletic Director Drew Webster. The high school academic team and the area-qualifying One Act Play were also recognized.  

The board commended fourth-grader Lucy Sadler and sixth-grader Isaac Hunt for their selection as students of the month. Sadler was described as “just a wonderful student” and she hopes to play basketball at Texas A&M University. In his first year at Alba-Golden, Hunt has already established a reputation as an exceptionally-gifted student. He also endeavors to attend Texas A&M to become a veterinarian or an agricultural engineer.