Alba-Golden School Board President Jason Stovall retained his chair in the reorganization Monday. Stovall will lead the board with the assistance of newly-elected Vice President Dwayne Ellis and newly-elected Secretary Grant Sadler.

Trustees Ellis and Matt Haisten were sworn-in after having won seats on the board in the May election. 

All members were present for Monday’s meeting, at which a number of leadership vacancies were filled by board action.

New hires were Christopher Massey as elementary school principal, Chad Hodges and Shelby Keller as secondary school assistant principals, Tracy Browning as elementary school assistant principal and Kaitlynn Harley as business manager. The elementary school assistant principal position filled by Browning was created by unanimous vote of the board. 

Local resident Deborah Perry registered public comments before the board. She cautioned the board to “be diligent in spending wisely,” and dismissed the recently-defeated bond proposal as excessive and “egregiously wrong.” She explained that the population could not shoulder the bond proposal, and that other options needed to be investigated. 

She offered alternative options, such as enlarging the present gymnasium. She also recounted her past role in championing school improvements and expressed her willingness to become engaged again in rallying financial support for Alba-Golden Schools. 

Business Manager Brenda Kelley briefed the board that the district will be entering the second year of a biennial budget plan, and that few changes are foreseen.

A preliminary 2022-23 budget will be readied for the July 11 board meeting with approval of a final budget expected in August.   

Kelley advised that no changes in the law have affected the budget with the exception of the increase in the homestead tax exemption. 

Food Service Director Laura Reid alerted the board that federal funding which had allowed cost-free school lunches recently is not forthcoming for the 2022-23 school year.

She requested per meal costs be adopted for the school year at the rates of $2.50 per student for breakfast and $3.25 per student for lunch. The adult rates were proposed as $3.00 and $4.25, respectively. The board unanimously approved the requested rates.