Alba-Golden School Board names new ag-science center for Hugh Ragsdale

Posted 8/19/21

The Alba-Golden school board announced the naming of the new ag-science center as the Hugh Ragsdale Ag-science Center at Monday’s regular meeting. With members of the Ragsdale family in …

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Alba-Golden School Board names new ag-science center for Hugh Ragsdale

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The Alba-Golden school board announced the naming of the new ag-science center as the Hugh Ragsdale Ag-science Center at Monday’s regular meeting. With members of the Ragsdale family in attendance – wife Sherry and sons Koerth, Ethan and Cy – board president Jason Stovall offered remarks of just what Ragsdale meant to the school and community. 

“He poured everything he could into his students and cared deeply about each of them,” Stovall commented. He also recalled Ragsdale’s habit of handing out Bibles to his senior students as a reminder of their mission on earth. 

Trustee Chad Dailey further remarked that Ragsdale had a way to reach the most unreachable students and to help them find their way. “He was an incredible leader,” Dailey added.   

Stovall explained that the decision to name the ag-science center for Ragsdale was an automatic, unanimous decision by the board. “He was a leader dedicated to the future of this community,” he summarized.

The board then quickly moved on to the public hearing regarding the annual budget and tax rate. Business manager Brenda Kelley outlined the 2021-22 budget as $10,425,000 in general operating funds, $438,500 for food service and $141,000 in bond principal and interest. The budget was slightly less than 2020 due to the impact of the federal relief funds. Kelley noted that the proposed budget balanced.

The proposed tax rate, per $100 valuation, was $0.96030 for maintenance and operation and $0.03925 for bond payment, resulting in a total tax rate of $0.99955. Kelley said that the tax rate is nearly 10 cents lower than last year.   

The budget and tax rate were approved unanimously.

Board President Stovall recognized Mr. Bradshaw who had registered to make a public comment. Bradshaw made an impassioned plea to mandate masks at the school. He chastised the board for spending their time on things such as tax rates when they “should be looking out for the children.” After exhausting the five-minute speaking opportunity, Bradshaw thanked the board and departed.

Elementary school principal Kevin Wright reported an increase in student population with 425 presently in attendance. Wright noted the very good student-to-teacher ratio, with an average of 16 students per class in the elementary. 

New high school principal Macie Thompson reported a smooth, strong start to the year, which included the senior breakfast at Sand Springs Baptist Church. Thompson reported 217 students in high school thus far.

Other updates on the new school year included very healthy numbers of athletes in all fall sports, with strong junior high school numbers.

Athletic director Drew Webster noted that all COVID-related limitations to Texas scholastic football had been rescinded. 

Ag-science lead instructor Richard Lovorn reported that seven students have received Lone Star FFA degrees, and that one former student, Justina Peterson, had received an American FFA degree.

Two business decisions were taken by the board. Duko Oil was awarded the annual fuel contract. Duko is last year’s supplier and was the only candidate supplier that submitted a bid on-time.

Additionally the board enacted a “cash only” policy for extra and visitor lunch collections. 

A host of administrative actions were taken. They included approval of student and employee handbooks, the employee compensation package and an inter-local agreement with the county for tax collection.