In a unanimous decision Monday, the Alba-Golden School Board approved a three-year contract for Superintendent Shelby Davidson. Board President Matt Haisten remarked that only positive comments were associated with this decision. 

Davidson responded, “I would like to thank the board for their support, and their sincere concern for every single student at Alba-Golden.” The decision was the only action item at the board meeting.                       

The balance of the meeting centered on the results of the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) which were disclosed during a state-mandated public hearing. Director of Curriculum Megan Smith briefed the report.

Highlights of the report, which was based on data from the 2023-24 school year, included: a superior financial rating; an attendance rate of 95% and a drop-out rate of 0%; and zero violent or criminal incidents.  A number of elementary school academic measures disclosed a slight dip over the previous year but a solid increase over the past four years.

The TAPR also documented that 61% of Alba-Golden students were economically-disadvantaged, and that homelessness now accounted for 5% of the student population. A significant increase in dual credit courses was documented. Also, the percentage of student reaching College, Career and Military Readiness exceeded state levels.

The full TAPR can be accessed from the Texas Education Agency website and is also linked from the Alba-Golden ISD website. 

A host of updates from the administration and school leadership ensued. Those items included the commencement of lighting fixture change-out to LED lights in the elementary school and cafetorium, participation of the cheerleading squad this week at the state competition in Fort Worth, briefing of a draft calendar for school year 2025-26 which will be acted upon at the February meeting and results of the elementary school academic UIL meet.

A representative of the tax firm of Linebarger, Goggan, Blair and Simpson presented the district with a check for an additional $26,000 from resolved tax delinquencies.

The board recognized elementary school aide Terri Pogue and seventh grade English teacher Teri Bedford as employees of the month. 

Students of the month were Abel Quintana, James Matthew Castloo and Jayla Sitar, from elementary, middle and high school, respectively.

Sitar was described as a cherished member of the school community.  Castloo has his sights set on a career as a structural engineer, while in addition to hunting and fishing, Quintana stated that he “wanted to love like Jesus.”    

All members of the board were present.