Morales moved to new AISD position

By Melinda L. Lucas

A new position of “administrative assistant to the superintendent” was approved by the Albany ISD board of trustees, and current secondary principal Edward Morales was moved to that role following a 30-minute closed session during Monday night’s regular meeting.

According to AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott, job duties of the new position include directing the transportation department, textbook management, and overseeing the Discipline Alternative Education Placement, as well as additional responsibilities and duties based upon the needs of the district.

The motion to create the position was made by Kelly Head and seconded by Joe Tidwell, with all six trustees present voting in favor.

Morales’ new duties will become effective at the end of this school year, said Scott.

Applications are currently being accepted for the post of principal for the junior high and high school campus.

Graduation Update

Scott reported on the latest plans for the Class of 2020’s May 23 graduation cere-mony to be held outdoors at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium in order to comply with the state’s -COVID-19 recommendations. 

“It’s like reinventing the wheel to figure out all the restrictions and guidelines,” said the superintendent. “We haven’t finished it all, but we’re working to make sure that there isn’t more intermingling than necessary by combining all the scholarship awards and asking families to spread out on the field afterwards for pictures.” 

Scott showed the board detailed diagrams and lists for seating and directives for guests, with most of that information available in a separate article about commencement, as well as on the school’s website.

Family seating was decided by a random drawing, with another staff member overseeing that task because both Scott and Morales have daughters who are graduating.

The superintendent thanked John Caldwell for providing and supervising the sound system for both baccalaureate and commencement.

Note of Appreciation

Board president Robert Montgomery expressed his appreciation to all administrators and AISD staff members for their actions and efforts during the past two months.

“This wasn’t in the job description, but you have continued to put one foot in front of the other and come with innovative ways to get through this,” said Montgomery. “I know it hasn’t been easy, and I want you to know that we as a board appreciate you.”

Other Business

•The retirement resignation of secondary teacher Donnie Lucas was accepted, with Scott explaining that Lucas has to “sit out an entire month” before being rehired on a part-time basis for next year.

•Preliminary plans for collaborating with ResourceCare for educational instruction during Day Camp were outlined. 

•After the regular meeting was adjourned a few minutes before 6:00 p.m., trustees completed a required three-hour “Team of Eight” training via Zoom through the Service Center.