The school year is almost over and students at the Moran Independent School District are busy with a host of end-of year activities.

This Week

State mandated STAAR testing took place this week, including math and reading exams for students in third, fourth, sixth, and seventh grades, and science tests for fifth and eighth graders.

Eighth graders are taking the STAAR social studies exam today, May 16.

Senior students are preparing a slide show that will be presented at graduation.

By Melinda L. Lucas

One new teacher was hired and a resignation accepted during a special early morning meeting of the Albany ISD board of trustees on Thursday, May 9.

The session was initially planned to canvass the board election held May 4 that seated two new trustees and one incumbent.

The election figures were approved, confirming that Kelly Head retained his Place 5 seat, while Joe Tidwell will assume Place 6 and Kim Neece Place 7.

The trustees will be sworn in for the regular May 20 meeting.

Teacher/Coach Hired

The annual Baccalaureate service for the Albany High School Class of 2019 will be held Sunday, May 19 at the AHS auditorium.

Spencer Newsom, youth minister at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, will be the keynote speaker, delivering the message at the 7:00 p.m. ceremony. He will be introduced by valedictorian Caroline Masters.

A total of 28 local seniors are expected to participate in the service and subsequently receive their diplomas during commencement exercises set for Friday, May 24.

The community is invited to the Albany ISD retiree reception in honor of Danita Johnston, Lavelle Vinson, Karen Martin, and Debra Overton to be held next Thursday, May 23, at 2:30 p.m. in the foyer of Nancy Smith Elementary School.

Family, friends, colleagues, and community members are all invited to the come and go reception, according to AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott. 

“We wish them the best in their retirement,” said Scott. “They will truly be missed.”

Danita Johnston

The Hendrick Regional Blood Center bloodmobile will be at First Baptist Church on Thursday, May 23 from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. 

Hendrick Regional Blood Center supplies all of the blood and blood products used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

“We urge community members to donate blood to help ensure that patients in the hospitals we serve have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs,” said Frances Baker, donor recruiter. “The short amount of time it takes to donate can mean a lifetime to a patient needing a blood transfusion.”

The annual field day for Nancy Smith Elementary School students will take place at the high school track on Monday, May 20.

“We will need volunteers to help with the field events and water events,” said physical education instructor Ginger Norton.

Parents and other volunteers typically help by working as starters and by measuring and recording times and distances. Those willing to help are encouraged to call the elementary office at 325-762-3384.

Pre-K and Head Start

Shackelford County resident, rancher, and centenarian John Matthews will be the speaker at the Albany Lions Club sponsored Memorial Day service held at the Aztec Theater at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 27.

“He is the only surviving World War II veteran in town, as far as I know,” said Lions Club member Sandi Conway.

The service will also include Megan (Lively) Ledbetter singing patriotic songs accompanied by Doyleen Terrell on the piano, Albany Boy Scouts serving as color guard, Bob Skelton leading the pledge, and taps played by Dan Key. 

Two major issues, both concerning the Shackelford County Law Enforcement Center, were covered during Monday’s meeting of the county commissioners, with elected officials deciding on a change in how jailers and dispatchers are paid and also hearing a report about lightning damage to the LEC.

During the session, longtime county employee Jeannie Balliew was honored for her 21 years of service to the county by judge Bob Skelton.

Lightning Damage

A construction agreement for the new terminal building at the Albany airport was approved by Albany city council members at a regular meeting on Monday, May 13.

New council member Don Taggart was sworn in after the meeting, following the canvassing of the votes cast for the May 4 election. Incumbent Carolyn Waller also took the oath of office for another two-year term.

Airport Building

City manager Billy Holson and airport manager Chuck Sheppard presented an adjusted total for the new terminal building to be constructed at Hickman Field.

The 33nd annual Polo on the Prairie fundraiser benefitting cancer research and patient programs at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will be held at the Musselman Brothers’ Lazy 3 Ranch on Saturday, May 18, and although the actual polo competition will not take place because of wet field conditions, the rest of the celebration will continue as planned.