Lometa school officials are beginning the fiscal year in better shape than anticipated, according to Superintendent David Rice. With $1.671 million in funds, the district anticipates a year-end balance of approximately $1.1 million. "It is much better than where we thought we would be," the superintendent said.

Assisting the district in funding services to Lometa will be a recently awarded Governor's Grant for $61,000, which includes a criminal justice aspect and will be utilized in the after-school program. With four teachers, two paraprofessionals and an administrator on staff each day, the program averages 65-70 students during each evening session.

Assistant Principal Rob Moore, in his monthly report, noted the year has begun smoothly. "Everything is going well. We have a number of teachers going to English/language arts and reading training in the next few weeks, and around 20 students are attending college classes," said Moore.

In his superintendent's report, Rice noted an open house is on the agenda today from 5-6:30 p.m. for prekindergarten through fifth-grade students, and from 6:30-8 p.m. for students in grades six through 12.

In other business, a public hearing for a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the purchase of a bus, and informative sessions for Title I and English as a Second Language will be held at 6:30 p.m.

In the coming weeks, Rice plans to visit several campuses that boast dramatic improvements in TAKS scores in order to garner information in his hope of seeing similar academic increases at Lometa ISD. According to Rice, the district's enrollment numbers are steady with what the superintendent deems an "outstanding" reporting of average daily attendance at 288.

Appointed by the board as teacher appraisers for the 2009-2010 school year were Rice, Business Manager David Fisher, Moore, Smart and Principal Kip Bullock.