The Alba-Golden School Board approved a 2022-23 budget of $11.83 million and an associated property tax rate of $.9429 Monday.    

According to Business Manager Brenda Kelley, the budget represents a $900,000 increase over last year. The purchase of three new school buses accounts for one-third of the increased amount. 

Despite the decreased tax rate approved by the board, annual property taxes on an average-sized home in the district will go up approximately $33 due to increases in property values. 

Kelley also advised the board that the district had expended all Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) phase I funds, and that about $1.8 million in ESSER II and ESSER III funds remain. These federal grants will be available through the 2023-24 school year.

Although the board meeting was dominated by business discussions, the evening began with a most appropriate prayer for support of the families affected by a fatal traffic accident last week.

Alba-Golden junior Asa Davis was killed in the crash.

The school spent last Friday providing students an opportunity to mourn the sudden passing of a classmate. Students at the secondary school passed the hat and raised $4,305 on Friday for assistance to the Davis family. Services for Asa are set for Saturday.

School leadership briefed the start of the school year and noted that 424 students and 390 students are presently enrolled in secondary and elementary school, respectively. This represents a slight decrease for the high school and a 33-student decrease for elementary school.

Superintendent Macie Thompson briefed the board on several recent campus developments. Among them were the District Improvement Team’s recommendations for mission, vision and values statements; the ongoing installation of school bus security cameras; and the receipt of a “B” for the district in the recent state ratings.   

Curriculum Director Megan Smith explained the ratings in detail and noted an 18% increase in academic growth and a 24% improvement in “Closing the Gap” in the elementary school. Also of note was the 100% graduation rate experienced last year by the high school. 

Technology Director Michael Scott briefed the trustees on security improvements, which include upgrades to all vehicular gates and state-mandated weekly audits of all external doors. Thompson added that the school has enacted a policy requiring internal doors also be locked when not in use. 

The trustees unanimously approved the establishment of a Guardians program, as described in closed session.  

The 2021-22 Teachers of the Year were publicly disclosed. Kindergarten team leader Deann Hanson and secondary school teacher Walter Ragsdale earned the honors.

In other matters, Duko Oil received approval of their fuel bid, which came in at five cents above wholesale price. Additionally, an employee handbook and a new handbook for the agriculture/FFA program were approved.