Lometa ISD: financial, academic status secure
By CHERI JAY-WIENECKE Special Correspondent

With the school year winding closer toward the end, the Lometa Independent School District can take a deep breath as both its financial and academic affairs appear to be on stable footing.

Meeting in regular session recently with all members present, the board of trustees received good news on the fiscal front. Although interest rates have been in decline -- the district accrued just $4,300, compared to the previous month's $5,100 -- the school's financial accounts are secure. Superintendent David Rice said the district posted a fund balance of $1.53 million at the end of February.

"We still have quite a bit in state money coming in, and it looks like we'll only be paying the state back about $107,000, worst-case scenario," said Rice.

Also on the board's agenda was approval of the 2008-09 school calendar. With classes slated to begin Aug. 25 and end May 29, two days are allocated for Thanksgiving, and the first semester will close after students return from a two-week Christmas break. Spring break is scheduled for the third week in March to accommodate UIL academic contests.

No action was taken regarding a school board election. Trustees Stacy Pauly and Larry Morrison face no opposition for their seats, therefore no election is required.

In his report, Assistant Principal Rob Moore informed the board of research he, Rice and agricultural science instructor Brad Barnett had completed on the district's need for an industrial arts program. Moore said new state requirements for the Recommended High School Graduation Program and Distinguished Achievement Plan limit students' options for electives.

"Only six or seven electives are open for these kids in four years of high school," he said. "You have to realize how tight that backdrop is."

Moore added that the district's metal fabrication, home maintenance and improvement, applied ag and ag mechanics courses are hitting target areas for industrial arts.

"Mr. Barnett has been good about fusing these target areas into his classes," said the assistant principal. "His approach has been to teach them what he can while he has them because he doesn't have them that much."

The program is looking into the prospect of OSHA certification for a number of its students, he said.

Further instruction in the industrial arts field would require an additional teacher, said Moore. "What we really need to look at is where we are now and what we are doing now."

Also being explored by the school district is an innovative approach to melding vocational and academic curricula. A program in which students construct or grow items to be sold in a Lometa FFA store, with input from the school's BCIS classes for accounting and marketing, is being considered.

In his principal's report Kip Bullock updated board members on recent academic and athletic news. Preliminary reports on reading scores look good for the school district, he said. And implementation of afterschool tutorials has proved beneficial for students.

"All of the third grade passed, 19 of 23 fifth-graders passed, and 20 of the 21 eighth-graders passed," Bullock said. "Tutorials will continue for the fifthand eighth-graders in the science and math fields."

Bullock added that the school's track and golf teams are concluding busy seasons. The high school district meet is set for Wednesday in Hico. The golf team will compete at its district event on Monday at Waco Connally.

Alternative Campus Principal Jamie Smart said enreassigned rollment is down at his campus with a number of students withdrawing after spring break.

In other reports, Rice announced results of the school accreditation and finance report. The Lometa ISD received an academically acceptable rating for its grades and a superior financial rating. The superintendent also noted that the school has received notification of a $30,000 increase in federal funding for the upcoming school year.

The school's One-Act Play competed in the West Zone on home turf recently, and Rice lauded Lometa's CX team for its recent state qualification. He also commended Lometa eighth-grader Kaitlyn Delp, who returned from a state gymnastics competition as champion of her age group.

In personnel matters, trustees extended the contracts of all Lometa teachers.