By Melinda L. Lucas

With just one week since the public disclosure of Texas school districts’ accountability performance, Albany ISD administrators and staff have already knuckled down and formulated plans to improve the local ratings – dissecting the reports and breaking down the subgroups so they can see exactly where to dig in.

The ratings rolled out last Wednesday, and although AISD’s overall score was an acceptable B, Albany educators are not happy with the D attached to the elementary campus. 

By Kathy Thomson

The “Albany Home of the Hereford” sign and three people selected as “Lights of Albany” will all be honored at the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s bi-annual party Friday night, Aug. 23 at the Aztec Theater.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones said that several nominees for “Lights of Albany” have been submitted.

“We’ve had quite a few nominations, probably 15 to 20,” Jones said. “Some of those were nominated more than once. Most likely the winners will be selected from those that were nominated multiple times.”

By Kathy Thomson

With a significant impact expected in state funding, Albany Independent School District enrollment totals for the beginning of the new school year are now sitting at 525, 39 more than last August and 14 more than at the end of the 2018-2019 school year.

Several students have registered in the days since classes began last week, but as of press time Tuesday, the official enrollment numbers were 283 at Nancy Smith Elementary School, 87 at the junior high, and 152 at Albany High, for a total of 522.

First Day Count

By Melinda L. Lucas

Proposed budget totals for the Shackelford County Hospital District for 2020 decreased about $50,000 for the upcoming year, primarily due to the fact that $150,000 was included in the current budget for the purchase of a new ambulance, which will be delivered in the near future.

The hospital board worked on budgets for both the district and the clinic at a regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 19, eventually ending with expenditures of $2,918,930 based on the effective tax rate of 18.81 cents, which was also proposed during the evening.

By Melinda L. Lucas

During their regular meeting on Monday, Aug. 19, school board trustees learned details about the Albany ISD’s “B” grade in the state’s accountability ratings, and reviewed some of the plans to make improvements during the upcoming year.

Details about the accountability numbers are included in a page one article in this week’s issue.

The board also looked over the second draft of the proposed budget and made plans to act on the numbers at a special evening meeting on Aug. 29.

Community 

Recognition

ResourceCare’s second annual Carefest fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Happy Wife Happy Life venue just outside of Albany, and those who want to enjoy some of the special ticket options may be running out of time to purchase their selections.

“Ticket sales are going really well,” said program assistant Ragan Riley. “We are close to selling out on the VIP tickets, preferred seating, and the canopy spaces. But we still have sponsorships available.”

A monthly country and western musical will continue this month on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the Moran Community Center.

Moran singer-songwriter M.L. “Marty” Clifford is coordinating the event, which got underway in May.

Clifford plans to hold the musical on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Proceeds will benefit local organizations.

There is no cover charge, but snacks will be available.

For more information, call 325-668-5084.

By Kathy Thomson

The school year is underway and with it comes a daily commute by hundreds of children to and from the local campuses by school bus, car, bicycle, and on foot.

Drivers should be aware of the increased risk of injury or death to the community’s most precious resources that result from speeding or distracted driving, especially when combined with students who may forget to watch for oncoming traffic.

By Kathy Thomson

When smoke plumes rose into the Shackelford County sky last week, first responders quickly sprang into action to limit the amount of damage caused by the wildfires, and although their hard work and effort contained those fires to a few hundred acres, everyone is reminded to be extra diligent to prevent any fires from starting.

By Kathy Thomson

The Moran School District will begin the new year with four new faculty members, John Hughes, Robert Londerholm, Elizabeth Martin, and Betty Galvan. In addition, veteran teacher Jo Hise will assume the role of principal.

“We are excited about the beginning of another school year with several new educators and students as well,” said MISD superintendent Danny Freeman.

John Hughes

John Hughes is the new athletic director and the head football coach.