Lometa board establishes student conduct policy
By CHERI JAY-WIENECKE Special Correspondent

Taking a proactive stance to maintain the district's high standards, Lometa school officials gave the go-ahead to development of a student conduct policy during the Aug. 9 board of trustees meeting. The board authorized Superintendent David Rice to design conduct policy guidelines for a class grading system.

The policy, which was approved at a subsequent meeting the following week, implements conduct grades as in a "no-pass, no-play" program. Students who receive below a "C" in conduct will be ineligible for extracurricular activities for a three-week term, with return to regular activities if the grade is brought up to passing.

Designed to give classroom teachers a means to maintain a positive classroom environment, the program's step-by-step progression to a failing grade includes conferences with the student, school administrators and parents prior to the student's suspension from extracurricular activities.

"I believe we should grade the students on conduct because the real world grades them on conduct," Lometa ISD trustee Ben Leggett said.

In other business, the board was advised of the school's financial standing. Lometa Business Manager David Fisher reported that, as of the end of July, the district was holding $2.3 million in funds with $728,435 to return to the state the following week.

Although Fisher projected a drop in the school's fund balance for September, he was optimistic of the school's financial viability. "The rates are still looking good, and our fund balance is still in good shape," he said.

Budget amendments for the month included an adjustment in the building and grounds funds to allow for $20,000 in expenditures, most of which Rice attributed to the district's $15,500 purchase of a tractor. The amendments also allowed for an adjustment in payment to the special education cooperative.

The board also agreed to the purchase of a commercial washer and dryer for use in the athletic department.

Trustees OK'd a campus improvement plan before moving into the District Accountability Summary. The report shows TAKS scores are up in science, however improvement is needed in math and writing. "We believe we have honed in on the problems and have them corrected," Rice said.

In his superintendent's report, Rice informed the board that the district's proposed tax rate is set at $1.04. He added that the school will receive a T-STEM grant of $11,200 to be used in the math and science departments, and a TSTAR Grant of $100,000 for the purchase of computer equipment. The school's responsibility will be in the range of $5,000.

He also reported the repair of the football stadium lights is projected at $3,000. And Rice said he plans to speak with an architect regarding the prospects of building a new facility to house a gymnasium, classroom and music lab.

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After a budget hearing Aug. 28, the Lometa ISD board of trustees agreed to adopt the proposed budget for 2007-08 and a tax rate of $1.04 per $100 value. The rate for the previous year was $1.33. Recent property tax relief enacted by the Texas Legislature has mandated the lowered rate.

Rice told trustees the district's financial state is secure, with a guaranteed Weighted Average Daily Attendance figure that falls in line for a return of funds for the state. "The state may owe us some money, which is always good," he added.

The superintendent noted the school's fund balance is healthy. "The worse-case scenario is the upper $800,000 to million in fund balance this year. We know we are good and solvent," Rice concluded.