By Donnie A. Lucas
Expected enrollment numbers are down by about 10 students for Albany ISD compared the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, with about 30 of those anticipated not yet fully registered as of Tuesday.
Following “Meet the Teacher” sessions at both Nancy Smith Elementary and the Albany Junior/Senior High campuses on Tuesday evening, there were still some registrations still incomplete at press time.
By Melinda L. Lucas
During a meeting on Monday, Aug. 14, moved up a week from the regular third Monday time, Albany ISD’s board of trustees set a date for a special meeting to adopt the 2023-2024 budget and tax rate, planning an early morning meeting on Aug. 31, the last day that the budget can be adopted according to state law.
The board also reviewed recently released preliminary STAAR test scores for grades 3-6, with superintendent Jonathan Scott explaining the information, which is detailed in a separate article.
State ratings have not yet been released.
Albert “Al” Burton, age 87 of Albany, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 12 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Tom Chandler officiating. Interment followed in the Albany Cemetery under the direction of Morehart Mortuary.
Albert Dee Burton was born June 28, 1936 in Albany, Texas to Albert Pete “Pinky” Burton and Rosa Leta Alexander Burton. He grew up in Albany and graduated from Albany High School in 1955.
By Sam Waller
Albany Chamber of Commerce manager Brandi Lehew announced that the date for the community-wide garage sale will be Saturday, Sept. 9.
Registration for the event will begin Tuesday, Aug. 22. Lehew said registration will close the Wednesday before the sale as in past years.
A $10 registration fee will include a yard sign and inclusion on a map of participants. Lehew said signs can be picked up the week of the sale with maps available at the Chamber office at 7:00 a.m. that day.
“The details will be the same as last year,” Lehew said.
By Sam Waller
The start of a new school year is also the start of new livestock projects for FFA and 4-H members.
Albany FFA advisor Chris Beard said Friday, Aug. 25 will be a key date for upcoming shows.
“I’ve already got everybody entered who’s going to the West Texas Fair,” Beard said. “The next deadlines will be for the State Fair of Texas in Dallas and the Heart of Texas Fair in Waco. Both of those are due Aug. 25.”
By Sam Waller
The Moran Bulldogs saw a slight increase in numbers as the second week of preseason football practice began with eight players on hand.
“I had one come in Monday from Breckenridge that I’m going to try to get eligible to play,” head coach John Hughes said. “If I get him, we’ll have nine, so we’re about where I figured we were going to be.”
Moran wraps up its second week Thursday, Aug. 10 (today) with a three-team scrimmage at Trent.
By Sam Waller
Moran Independent School District began its new school year Monday, Aug. 7, ahead of where it began last year.
Principal Jo Hise reported that 105 students from all grades attended the first day with 110 the second day. Superintendent Dr. John Denson said the enrollment figure is expected to continue growing.
“Two said they’d be here Wednesday, so we should be at 112,” Denson said.
The growth appears evenly split between primary and secondary grades.
Some of the younger participants in the recent cheer camp (at left) await their turn to perform at Monday night’s traditional Ice Cream Supper sponsored by the Albany Athletic Booster Club. Varsity athletes were introduced, the band played (below), and ice cream was given away (below left) during the evening. As is also traditional, a good crowd attended despite the heat, and the hamburger meals were just as popular as always. The varsity cheer squad showed off some of their routines, and the band played music from the fall show.
By Sam Waller
Freshman year is a big adjustment for new college students.
Albany graduate Luke Ivy added to the level of difficulty during his first year at Rice University by expanding his athletic pursuits even more.
Ivy, who competed in football, basketball, baseball, tennis, and track in high school, signed with Rice for track. Then he took up the decathlon.
By Sam Waller
The Albany High School cross country program entered its second week of preseason practice with all athletes expected to compete this fall taking part.
Coach Donnie Hart said the eight girls and three boys who attended the Monday, Aug. 7 training session are still working to get into shape before the first meet, Jim Ned’s Warpath Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 19.
