You may find this article, as originally published, at Wood County Monitor online.
By John Arbter
woodctystringer@gmail.com
At a special meeting conducted Monday, the Alba-Golden School Board unanimously approved an order calling for a bond election to be held May 2. The election will be for a $20.6 million bond for the construction of a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) center and a new competition gymnasium.
The board’s decision follows months of detailed investigation and examination as detailed in the adjacent report.
Tyson Bennett, of Boss Consulting Partners of Sherman, and Mark Harris, of Harris Craig Architects of Tyler, presented both external and interior conceptual drawings of the proposed buildings.
The gymnasium is forecasted to be constructed in the location of the present CTE center, while the new CTE center will be built northwest of the new gym. The 19,250 sq. ft. CTE center will represent a 9,000 sq. ft. increase over the present facility. The new 21,763 sq ft gym would double the size of the present gym.
The buildings are planned to be constructed with Class A structural steel. The exteriors of the buildings will be masonry with metal upper reaches.
A projected tax impact of $28.42 per month per tax payer was briefed to the board. This figure was a projection based on an average value of a home in the district of $254,804. The added tax rate was determined to be .2968.
A comprehensive marketing plan was addressed that would use practically all means possible to inform the community of the details of the proposal. Board members Dwayne Ellis and Mike Ragsdale commented on the importance of accurately communicating the tax implications, especially for those residents over 65 years of age.
Should the bond be passed, a final design could be expected in November or December, with bidding to be conducted in January 2027. The CTE center would be constructed first and be completed in the fall of 2027. The gymnasium would be ready for the 2028-29 basketball season.
During public comments, prior to the open session, Panther Legacy Vision Team member Grant Keller offered his strong support for the work of the Vision Team as well as the recommendation for the bond election.
In other work at the special meeting, the board received the results of a financial audit conducted by Robert Lake of Rutherford Taylor & Co. CPA of Greenville. The district received an unqualified report – the highest mark received in such an audit.
Lake noted that the district expended 56% of its funds in direct support of teaching in the classroom. He also reviewed compliance and internal controls as well as government-wide financial statements.
An order of election for a May 2 Board of Trustees election was approved, as was a resolution which will result in paying all employees during emergency school closings.
All board members were present.