Trustees extend 3 staff contracts

By Melinda L. Lucas

A one-year contract extension was approved for Nancy Smith Elementary School principal John Gallagher, 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.

Three percent raises, although approved in the separate contract motions by Joe Tidwell, Ginny Ivy, and Kelly Head, are contingent on the 2020-2021 budget.

Gallagher is finishing his first year with Albany ISD on a 12-month probationary contract. The agreement approved this week extends his duties through June of 2021. 

The contract of secondary principal Edward Morales was not extended, with a motion by Head, seconded by Cory Brown.

Morales was originally hired three years ago on a multi-year contract, and his current contract does not end until June 2021, according to AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott, who had no comment on the board’s action.

The meeting was closed after regular business at 7:58 a.m. and reopened briefly with contract action at 9:56 a.m. before adjournment a few minutes later.

School Calendar

Scott recommended changes to the spring schedule due to recent bad weather that forced school closings for two days.

Based on the minimal required 75,600 minutes per school year, the board changed April 10 to a student holiday/staff comp day and April 13 to a regular school day.

To regain minutes at the secondary level, school will start for junior high and high school students at 7:30 a.m. on March 17, 18, 24, and 25. The time will be used for intervention and UIL practice.

Other Business

•The 2020-2021 school calendar was adopted, with spring break falling a week later on March 15-19, in line with the results of an AISD survey.

•An emergency assistance agreement was approved with Shackelford County for the district to provide shelter and mass care in the event of an emergency.