Administrators’ contracts renewed

By Melinda L. Lucas

One-year contract extensions were approved for principals  Glen Hill at Albany Junior/Senior High School and John Gallagher at Nancy Smith Elementary School, along with similar offers for district business manager Angelyn Faith and director of student services Leigh Lowe, following a closed session at the end of Monday’s regular school board meeting.

Seven percent raises for all four are contingent on the 2022-2023 budget.

Hill is finishing his second year with Albany ISD, while Gallagher will complete his third year at NSES this spring. The agreement approved this week extends their duties through June of 2023.

The meeting was closed after regular business at 8:30 p.m., reopened briefly with contract action about 10:30 p.m., and adjourned a few minutes later.

Staff Resignations

Three resignations were accepted by the board, including the mid-year retirement of long-time educator Melanie Anderson, who has been teaching at Albany for the past 30 years. Her last day in the classroom will be Feb. 28.

Others resignations include Tinker Cauble in the elementary cafeteria and Head Start family services worker Stephanie Jaco.

A long-term sub will finish out the year for Anderson’s classes, and Gallagher said that interviews are already underway to find a replacement for Jaco.

Sub Pay Increases

After reviewing area comparisons, the trustees voted to bump up the three-tier per diem pay scale for substitute teachers.

Albany had been among the lowest paying in similar sized school districts, but this week’s action put AISD at a competitive level.

Retroactive to Jan. 1, 2022, non-degreed subs go from $55 to $85, degreed substitutes from $65 to $95, and long-term subs from $85 to $105 per day.

“It’s been tough to find subs,” superintendent Jonathan Scott said. “I know it will impact our budget, but hopefully this will make it easier.”

Scott said Tuesday that the word of the raise had already gotten around and had apparently resulted in several new applications.

Behavior Expectations

Scott presented a document outlining behavior expectations for spectators at AISD sports events, which when finalized may eventually be added to the district’s student handbook with a sheet for parents of student-athletes to sign.

“I have heard a lot of negative comments about Albany fans, and several refs have said this is one of the worst places to work,” said Scott. “I feel that the district has to show a little teeth.”

The document includes consequences for first, second, and third offenses when a spectator has to be removed from a contest facility.

“There are so many good things that Albany does well and is known for, and bad sportsmanship should not be one of them,” said trustee Matt Bellah. “It’s unacceptable, and we have to turn the corner. The fans, and the players, have to provide examples for younger kids to follow.”

Other Business

•Jacob Cleveland addressed the board concerning the upcoming contract for the district’s sports broadcasting, which ends in August, asking the trustees to consider his company when deciding on a new contract.

•Scott went over some of the newer revelations about ESSER funding rules, commenting that Angelyn Faith spends many hours making sure AISD complies with the changes and updates.

•A 2022-2023 school calendar was adopted, as recommended by the District Improvement Committee. Scott said a staff and community survey had revealed some “surprising” results, including overwhelming responses that AISD not take an entire week off for Thanksgiving and multiple requests that noon releases be eliminated or at least limited.