The Alba-Golden school board unanimously approved a resolution Monday requiring in-person attendance for extracurricular participation.

According to Superintendent Cole McClendon the district will join the majority (71%) of schools in Region 7 that have chosen this path.   

The board seeks to minimize the comings and goings of students, thereby retaining as clean an atmosphere as possible. McClendon explained that with the UIL participation period in the fourth hour of the school day, it could result in excessive movement to and from school had students come to school solely to participate in extracurricular activities.

Working through a lengthy agenda, the board also set the public hearing regarding the 2020-21 school budget and tax rate for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, at the school. 

Comprehensive departmental briefings from food service, athletics, career and technology, and finances were received from Food Service Director Laura Reid, Athletic Director Drew Webster, Ag-mech Director Richard Lovorn and Business Manager Brenda Kelley.

Reid provided an explanation of the Community Eligibility Program, which some neighboring schools have utilized to provide free breakfast and lunch service. Alba-Golden, stated Reid, did not approach the percentage of qualifying students which would make this program financially-feasible for the district.

Trustee Chad Dailey requested some benchmark numbers be provided.

Any financial shortfalls incurred through premature administration of this program, Reid said, would become liabilities requiring board action to fund. 

Coach Webster said 60 boys had turned out for the football program and 22 girls are in the volleyball program. He described many of the measures being put in place to reduce potential virus transmission.  

Of note, fans will be accommodated all around the football field this fall. Additionally, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office has authorized the closure of County Road 2377 from 6-10 p.m. on game nights. Specific ticket and attendance procedures are forthcoming. 

During Director Lovorn’s update, the board confirmed that $1.2 million has been set aside for the construction of a Project Center. Business Manager Kelley detailed that the next step in the building procedure would be the selection of a construction manager at risk. Board President Jason Stovall directed the issue be added to next month’s agenda.

Lovorn also informed that his students will be assisting in landscaping and beautification of the campus. 

Kelley provided a positive financial report. Despite a 7% increase in operating expenses, the district should carry over about $400,000 from the 2019-20 fiscal year. She pegged the upcoming budget at $10.47 million and stated that she is “very comfortable with the budget.”

In response to a query from the board, Kelley estimated that an average home in the district would see their school taxes decrease by $20.99 this year. She also educated the board on the fact that the district uses current property tax values in their budgeting, while the Texas state education funding is based on the previous years’ property tax values. 

Trustee Dwayne Thompson’s idea of a Hall of Honor to memorialize community members who provide exceptional service to the school garnered significant positive discussion.

Trustee Grant Sadler voiced that community involvement in establishing some type of recognition would be key, so that the initiative remained in the community and did not reside with the board.

In other action, the board approved Powell, Youngblood and Taylor, LLP, of Austin to represent the district in the upcoming school year.

The law firm operates a branch office in Tyler. Superintendent McClendon strongly recommended the firm based on previous experience with them. 

McClendon also noted that once the district became a member of the Texas Rural Education Association, part of the retainer would be covered through the association.

Trustee Johnny Teel proposed the action with trustee Chad Dailey seconding. Board vice president Mike Ragsdale cast the sole dissenting vote.

The board dispatched a multitude of administrative actions. Most importantly, four new hires were approved: David Curry (high school English), Natalie Fortner (nurse), Teresa Jo Landry (pre-K), and Lucinda Stokes (4th grade).