The Alba-Golden Panther Legacy Vision Team will be fine-tuning the district’s infrastructure needs at their next meeting Thursday, Nov. 13 at 3 pm. The school board was advised of the team’s progress at Monday’s board meeting.

Consultant Tyson Bennett reported that two issues have emerged as “overwhelmingly-identified needs:” the continuing education facility and the competition gymnasium. Superintendent Shelby Davidson lauded the work of the planning team and acknowledged that they have thus far done excellent work in the service of Alba-Golden schools. Two planning sessions remain in their timeline. 

By unanimous vote, the board approved a new security agreement with the Wood County Sheriff’s Office which will make a second deputy available for the campus commencing in November. The district has one deputy on campus through an agreement that compensates the county.

Parent Brandi Varner spoke in the public forum to advise the board  she is filing a formal complaint against the special education teacher for creating a hostile classroom environment and using inappropriate language. Varner requested an investigation, compliance with published standards and that assistance be provided where needed.

The board took two further decisions, approving Nov. 17 for the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas public meeting and approving a shared service agreement with Tyler Regional Day School for teaching deaf children. 

The highlight of the meeting was the conduct of the Alba-Golden FFA Leadership Development Event (LDE) team which presented their debate: ‘Industrial Agriculture: Survival vs Sustainability.’

Led by Ellie Wright the team provided a riveting 15-minute debate which was well-researched, well-reasoned and convincing from each side of the argument.  

The school will be hosting an FFA LDE competition Friday. Over 30 schools are scheduled to attend. Davidson invited the public to visit the event and see what kind of amazing work is being done by FFA teams throughout East Texas.

The Prowlin’ Panther Band was also recognized. The band earned First Division scores at the regional marching band competition and finished in sixth at the area competition. It was acknowledged by the board that the band has already made quite a mark in the past two years, and that the Alba-Golden music department is beginning to become known as an up-and-coming program.

Other recognitions included student of the month awardees Charlie Vaughan (elementary), Cason Hawthorn (junior high) and Carter Mason (high school). Math coach Deanna Reynolds and biology teacher Laura Marder were awarded as employees of the month for the elementary and secondary schools, respectively.  

Curriculum director Megan Smith updated the board that the district expects 40 teachers to be designated as bonus eligible this year. That includes 22 carry-overs from the previous year, 15 new designations and three teachers who have leveled-up. 

The non-profit Bright Star, represented by spokesperson Angela Breitkreutz, presented Alba-Golden with the copies of the Ten Commandments for installation in the school. The display of the commandments in each classroom was mandated by Senate Bill 10 which was signed into law this summer. Bright Star had previously supplied Alba-Golden with placards of the National Motto, ‘In God We Trust.’

Upcoming events include public performances of the Theater Department play ‘Beauty and the Beast’ on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 10 at 2:30 p.m. The Veterans Day program will begin at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov.11 with a breakfast for local veterans.

Davidson remarked that last weekend’s Golden Sweet Potato Festival reminded him of the fundamental values of the community and hence the values of the school.