Enrollment shows slight decrease

The Lometa Independent School District opened its 2007-08 year with slightly smaller numbers than had been anticipated.

Superintendent David Rice said it can be hard to predict just how many will show up for the first day of classes.

When Lometa began its year on Monday, 317 students were on hand. That compares to 306 for the first day of the 2006-07 school year.

The difference, said the superintendent, is in the 3- and 4- year-old prekindergarten classes, which have a total of 33 students enrolled.

"We had a really good first day," said Rice. "We had to do a little swapping around of students in some classes, but the day went really well and really fast.

"I think everyone was tired -- kids and teachers -- when it was over."

Total elementary enrollment was 143, which makes up nearly half the district's student population.

The prekindergarten class for 3-year-olds had 17 students, while the 4-year-old class began the year with 16 students.

Kindergarten students numbered 19, while 18 first-graders reported on the first day.

There were 18 second-grade students and 21 in the third-grade class at Monday's opening.

In the fourth grade, 15 students were enrolled, compared to 19 fifth-graders.

Sixth-grade students numbered 23, while there were 28 seventhgraders who reported the first day. Rounding out the junior high are 20 eighth-graders.

High school enrollment totaled 103 on the first day of classes, with the freshman class the largest not only for the high school, but at the entire campus, with 29 students.

Sophomores were close behind at 28, while 27 juniors reported for school Monday.

The Lometa High School graduating Class of 2008 has 19 seniors enrolled.