Alba-Golden Superintendent Shelby Davidson notified the board of trustees, at Monday’s meeting, that the district had submitted a grant application to the state for $293,000 targeted for security upgrades.

The safety grant was chief among many updates to the board. Other items of note included a briefing by Business Manager Kaitlynn Hawley regarding the district investment plan. Hawley broadly described the portfolio and noted that the district earned just over 5% interest on its investments over the past four months. 

Curriculum Director Megan Smith discussed the scope of the 2024-25 schedule, which will be formally presented to the board later this spring. The proposed schedule commences no earlier than Aug. 1, dismisses no later than May and affords the traditional holiday breaks, while meeting all state mandates. 

High School Principal Brittany Hall reported on the most recent initiative on campus to encourage and reward the combination of behavior, attendance and grades. Students reaching these benchmarks will be rewarded with recreational off-site activities, sponsored by the school.   

UIL redistricting will be announced Feb.1, advised Athletic Director Drew Webster. Webster also passed on the heartfelt thanks of Coach Jimmy Oxford for all the assistance and aid of the district in the aftermath of his house fire on Christmas Eve. 

Davidson reminded the board that the filing dates for board elections opens Jan. 17 and closes Feb. 16. The election is scheduled May 4. Davidson also described the board’s goal-setting session scheduled Jan. 18.  

In the only action item of the night, the board approved the non-business days for 2024, combination of spring break week and dates in July. 

Prior to the information reports, district resident and parent Alyssa Martinez spoke for her fully-allotted five minutes during the public forum against the dress code. 

She noted that Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in any program or activity receiving federal funding. She also explained that recent court decisions in Iowa ruled that, “students and teachers do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.”

Martinez’s statement before the board had specifically referenced wearing earrings by male students as well as the stipulations prohibiting long hair for boys. She challenged the board to review their policies and “do better by our children.”

Students of the month were Penelope Cortes, Avery Haisten and Travis Easton Campbell, from elementary, junior high and high school, respectively.  

It was noted that first-grader Cortes will soon have a short story published. The story recounts her trip to the State Fair. Avery Haisten was described as being a “ray of joy” among the student population. She will be pursuing a degree in orthodontics or dermatology, while senior Easton Campbell is working toward appointment to a service academy.