Contracts renewed, graduation options assessed by trustees

By Melinda L. Lucas

Along with a long discussion about pandemic-related graduation ideas, Albany ISD trustees accepted a couple of resignations and renewed contracts at Monday’s April board meeting.

The resignations of elementary teacher Teri Antilley and band director Richard Murrow were both accepted after a 1-1/2 hour closed session.

In addition, the board voted to renew current term and probationary facility contracts, along with approval of letters of assurance for the support staff.

Superintendent Jonathan Scott said that three employment agreements were also extended to current staff members.

Graduation Discussion

Scott updated trustees on the latest announcements affecting Texas schools, much of which is covered in other articles in this issue.

The superintendent asked for input on how to handle graduation for Albany’s senior class, although he emphasized that there may be changes in restrictions over the coming weeks.

Scott said that holding a graduation ceremony at the football field has been mentioned most often, and that will be considered if possible.

Other suggestions involve a drive-in option at the Fandangle parking lot or holding a downtown graduation parade.

“These kids and their parents need to know something as soon as possible as far as when and where because of invitations and other plans,” Scott said. “None of us knows exactly what it will look like by May 22, but we’ll have to have something in place before then.”

He said that some districts were planning to delay graduation ceremonies until August, but that he felt local students and families might be scattered by then, with college and work interfering.

Board members agreed that in any case, attendance will probably need to be restricted to immediate family.

“There are pros and cons to whichever way we go,” said the superintendent. “Our task this week is to try to come up with a plan.”

Trustee Ginny Ivy asked if events such as Project Graduation and the seniors’ progressive dinner could be held if group restrictions were raised from 10 to 50 by that time. She commented that those activities may be as important to the seniors as the actual ceremony.

“It’s hard to know, but it’s possible,” said Scott.

Gym Floor Repairs

After a lengthy discussion, board members voted to pursue the complete resurfacing of the floors in both gyms.

Scott showed photos of water damage in the two facilities, stating that repairs would be necessary under any circumstances, and the floors had not been redone in about 12 years, despite recommendations that they be sanded down and repainted every eight to nine years.

“According to our research, the floor in the competition gym has been redone only once since it was built,” said the superintendent. “The repairs are, unfortunately, not a choice but a necessity.”

He pointed out a place inside the door beside the main bleachers where a buckle in the floor is now about three inches high, probably from water that had seeped under the lobby tile from a leak in a water fountain.

There is also some termite damage in the practice gym, although there are no longer any active termites, Scott said.

Board members agreed that they would rather spend the money for the overdue refinishing rather than replace sections and have discolored areas of flooring.

Allen Hardwood Floors of Holliday bid $14,500 to refinish the main gym and $10,350 for the practice gym, with a $5,000 discount if both facilities were done at the same time.

The cost to replace damaged flooring is an additional $2,250.

Scott pointed out that the cost to lightly sand and re-varnish the floors every summer is about $4,500.

The trustees also looked at several options for repainting the floor of the competition gym, selecting the same graphics that local coaches had picked.

State Waivers

Several different waivers were approved for submission to the state, most  modifying the spring schedule because of the COVID-19 school shutdown.

A separate waiver will be requested because not evaluations were not completed for all staff members before on-campus classes were suspended.