You may find the original article as published at: https://www.woodcountymonitor.com/stories/agisd-employees-get-raises-with-state-help,166008
By John Arbter
woodctystringer@gmail.com
The Alba-Golden School Board augmented salaries for those employees not specifically called-out for fiscal allotments by the recently-passed Texas House Bill 2 (HB 2). The board approved the employee compensation plan Monday. The plan includes local allotments for teachers in their first three years of service as well as staff serving in non-teaching, non-administrative positions.
Superintendent Shelby Davidson remarked, “We looked closely at the new stipends provided by the state in House Bill 2, and ensured that all employees of the district received a retention allotment, not just those teachers and administrators designated in the bill.”
Discussions of HB 2 dominated the meeting, which included a budget workshop. The bill will provide AG ISD with a $1.15 million revenue increase for the school year 2025-26. However, 68% of that revenue is specifically designated for veteran teachers and administrators. It is anticipated that the remaining $350,000 will be consumed by increases in insurance and health costs.
“The bill does a lot of good things for us,” Davidson explained, “but it does not give us a lot of discretionary funds.” Other areas targeted by HB2 included school safety, logistics and special education.
It was noted by board member Brad Lennon that the state is largely driving the school budget. He voiced concern that imbalance between state revenue and local revenue results in less local control of the district.
Davidson concurred and described the sliding scale of the state funding mechanism. He also added that the district budget will be balanced again this year.
The board received informational briefings on the status of home-schooled children with respect to participation in UIL activities. School boards must either opt out of allowing home-schooled children to participate by action of the board within the next month. If the board takes no action, home-schooled children will be accepted for UIL participation in the district.
Director of Curriculum Megan Smith reported on the activities of the School Health Advisory Committee. Among their achievements this past year were establishing a cardiac response team and conducting a number of health and wellness challenges for the student body.
Smith also reported that eight students participated in a three-week summer school for grades 6-11. In a separate one-week program, 18 students studied English and algebra in an effort to improve their end-of-year grades.
Key dates for the opening of school this fall are the convocation (Monday, Aug. 4), Meet the Teacher (Thursday, Aug. 7) and the First Day of School (Monday, Aug. 11).
The board approved student handbooks by unanimous vote. They included state mandated policies for personal devices. The new regulation states that all personal devices – cellular phones, earbuds, smart watches, etc. – must be turned off and kept out of sight during school hours. Additionally, the state mandated that grades would be determined by a convention of 50% major grades and 50% minor grades.
The district significantly updated the policy and expectations for overnight travel. No dress code changes were enacted.
In other action, the board approved interlocal agreements with Region 7 Educational Support Center, UT Tyler, the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and UT Austin. The accounting firm Rutherford Taylor, of Greenville, was approved as auditors for the coming year.
The meeting commenced with recognition of the Panther softball and baseball teams and those athletes who received superlative distinction.
The board approved Monday, Aug. 25 as the date for a public hearing to set the tax rate and adopt the budget.
Board members Dwayne Ellis and Mike Ragsdale were absent.