Recognitions and information were the headliners at Tuesday’s Alba-Golden School Board meeting. Students from the fall sports of cross country, volleyball and football were recognized, as was the FFA Chapter Conducting team, which made its way to state competition this semester. 

Athletic Director Drew Webster lauded the entire 12-person varsity volleyball team for earning all-district, all-academic honors. Each maintained a grade average of better than 93 throughout the volleyball season.  

The informational component came from the delinquent tax firm of Linebarger, Goggin, Blair and Simpson. The firm delivered a check of almost $21K to the district which was the result of excess proceeds from property tax sales. 

Over the past three years, the firm has issued 26 petitions for legal action against tax delinquent property owners in the school district. Most of those petitions were either resolved or under deferrals, with only seven court judgements rendered. 

The overall collection rate over the past five years is 100.76%. This reflects cases whereby properties have been sold at higher prices than assessed. 

Superintendent Shelby Davidson offered a verbal report of his observations from the recent Texas Association of Rural Schools, of which Alba-Golden is a member. His read-out of proceedings was that some type of financial augment is likely for the specific purposes of security and discipline. 

He noted that 60% of school districts in the state are operating with deficit budgets. It is anticipated that general, increased educational funding will likely next occur in the fall.

The board recognized fifth-grader Tyson Cave, eighth-grader Ella Converse and senior Collin Nichols as November’s students of the month.  

Cave, whose favorite subject is math, has not yet determined his future area of study and is busy improving his football skills. Converse has her sights set on a career as a veterinarian, while Nichols will be pursuing a degree in archaeology.

Fourth grade reading teacher Linda Sherwood and high school counselor Starla Bryant earned the distinctions as employees of the month for elementary and high school, respectively.

The sole action item – annual review and approval of the investment policy – was deferred until after the incoming finance director, Beau Shelby, is designated as the investment officer.