Trustees approve grant resolution
By Melinda L. Lucas
Albany ISD trustees took the next step toward applying for a $756,562 federal grant and reviewed preliminary taxable values during a regular meeting on Monday, May 17.
They also awarded a two-year bank depository contract to First National Bank of Albany following a presentation by FNB officer Zach Maberry.
Board president Robert Montgomery thanked the bank for all that it does for the community and school, a lot of which “goes under the radar,” he said.
ESSER III Grant
A resolution was passed that allows superintendent Jonathan Scott to move forward with the next step to complete an application for an ESSER III grant under the American Rescue Plan for COVID recovery.
Scott expects to get $756,562 for the district, and he explained that the plan is to use the funding mostly for personnel to offset “loss of learning.”
Taxable Values
Included in the trustees’ agenda packet was a document from Shackelford County chief appraiser Clayton Snyder showing that the school district’s tax valuations for this year are estimated to decrease from $338 million last year to $331 million.
Snyder explained that the deadline for renditions had not passed when the calculations were made, and that taxpayers can appeal values during June. Values won’t be finalized until at least July.
Other Business
•Scott was authorized to offer employee contracts without specific board approval for June, July, and August.
•The board approved formation of a District of Innovation Committee, a step that is required in order for the district to possibly offer more health insurance options for employees.
•AISD dyslexia coordinator Kristie Smith presented the results of a recent required screening of elementary students.
•An agreement was approved to work with Interquest Detection Canines for the next school year.
•Southwest Consortium Drug Testing will continue student drug testing next fall, as well as taking over the district’s required drug testing for bus drivers.
