Alba-Golden agriculture teacher Richard Lovorn informed the school board that two offices of Texas Farm Credit are donating $10,000 to the district in the wake of the fire at the agricultural facility. The announcement was made at Monday’s board meeting. 

Kyle Watts and Cody Cox of the Tyler and Sulphur Springs offices, respectively, have committed to make the grant.

Lovorn stated, “It is a privilege to be part of the ag community in East Texas.”

In the other major item before the board, the benefits contained under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act were unanimously extended by the board until the end of the school year. This allows for up to 80 hours, or 10 days, of paid leave for a teacher who has contracted the virus. The paid leave is also honored should an immediate family member have contracted the virus. 

Following a brief executive session, the evaluation of first-year Superintendent Cole McClendon received unanimous approval. A resolution of support for McClendon was likewise approved, as was the addition to the staff of an elementary instructional aide.

Alba-Golden’s Brandt Peterson, an eighth-grader with an ambition to attend Brigham Young University, was recognized before the board for his selection as secondary school student of the month. Jacob Leon received recognition as elementary school student of the month. 

Six board members were present with trustee Grant Sadler being the only absentee.