As the smoke clears and the Lometa Independent School District sifts through the ashes, it is fast becoming clear that last week's fire on its alternative campus isn't the only problem the district will be dealing with in the coming weeks.

At an emergency meeting Monday night, trustees discussed the school's options regarding recent developments.

School officials were informed last week that foster children from the local residential treatment facility, the Williams House, would be attending a charter school this year.

Lometa Superintendent David Rice said the foster-care facility will be forming an alliance with the Orinda Charter School system in Georgetown.

Since the majority of the Williams House students attended Lometa's Alternative Campus, approximately seven community children would be all that remain of the campus population this term.

After staffing adjustments were made, the campus employed two teachers and an administrator.

At issue at Monday's meeting was the choice of retiring the alternative campus and melding the remaining students and staff into the main campus population, or continuing with operations.

The loss of approximately 25 students translates into a decrease of $200,000 in state funding and $44,000 in federal funds.

After much deliberation, the board voted unanimously to retire the alternative campus and move the remaining students and staff to the main campus.

Jamie Smart, who has served as principal of the alternative campus, will become the district's special projects administrator and will assist in select vocational instruction programs.

"We feel like we are making the best decisions we can for the school district considering present circumstances," said Rice.

The district is awaiting an insurance adjustor's report on the extent of fire damage at the alternative campus.

A meeting is slated for Aug. 18, at which time the school board plans to finalize its decision on replacement of the destroyed structure.