Lometa ISD programs benefit from grant funding. For a small district that saw no increase in taxes for the 2009-2010 school year (the rate is $1.04 per $100 valuation) and little gain in appraisal values, generating additional revenue can be tough -- unless the district has David Rice at the helm.

"There was no talk of raising taxes to generate more funds. Realistically, pulling in so few dollars per penny, to go up three or four cents would not be worth the public relations," said Rice.

So the superintendent is hard at work again this year to garner money wherever he can. "I spend a lot of my day hunting for grants."

And it is paying off.

Lometa is in line to receive a United States Department of Agriculture grant that will fund 60 percent of the purchase of a new school bus. "We could buy a real nice bus for $34,000," he said, which would add to the six already in the Lometa district.

He also is waiting to hear about an Algebra Readiness Grant that would target sixth- through eighth-graders, and a physical education grant that could provide physical education equipment.

In addition, Rice is looking at possible money for a state-funded merit pay grant for teachers as well as a rural and low-income grant.

"If there are funds out there, why not go for it? And we have one of the best grant-writers in the state, so we take advantage of that."

Rice knows that money problems aren't just a dilemma for his district, and it helps to brainstorm with other superintendents.

The Lometa administrator recently spent some time with Lampasas Independent School District Superintendent Randy Hoyer. "We had a discussion about some of the common problems shared between districts that are joined together, and I am very impressed with him," said Rice of Hoyer.

Rice also noted that Lometa is following the downward enrollment trend across the nation. With 317 students, the district is down about eight students from its largest number last year.

"With no industry here, we don't have the growth that other cities do, and I think more people are heading away from rural areas and back to the larger cities," he said.

But some of Lometa's programs could rival those of larger districts.

In its second year, the after-school program for all grades has grown from last year. An average of 75 students a day show up for a variety of offerings. "One day we had 160 kids show up. That's half of our student body," Rice said.

The program offers homework help, tutorials and an expanded library in its first hour.

In subsequent hours, the program offers fitness, Math Academy, Reading Academy, general computer lab, art, music and dance.

There also are educational computer games and some just for fun. "Our goal is in the first hour to make sure the kids have an opportunity to do their homework," Rice said. "Then the rest of the time we can play."

Lometa offers transportation and snacks Monday through Thursday from 3:30-6:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. The program is free for all students.

Special projects also are a part of the after-school curriculum. Rice offers coin collecting, plus there are rocket-launching, anthropology and other interests.

"This program is helpful for kids, but it also is great for parents -- especially those who work out of town. They know their kids are in a safe environment, and they aren't going to go home to an empty house."

The program is funded through a 21st Century Grant and a Criminal Justice Division Grant earmarked for programs that keep kids off the streets.

Lometa is in the second year of the four-year funding cycle. And Rice said he will seek grants to continue the program when the current one runs out. "This has become very important to our district. The kids love it, and the parents love it."

Four administrators, 11 secretaries and aides, and 18 teachers staff the after-school program on a rotating basis.

As if administrators don't have their plates full enough, they also are teaching classes again this year. Rice teaches two Texas history classes, while Principal Kip Bullock instructs a U.S. history class. Jamie Smart, director of special programs, teaches one science and one agriculture course, and David Fisher, Lometa's business manager, teaches two business classes. "We get as much bang for our buck here as we can," said the superintendent.

Rice is proud of his school's ag program -- under Brad Barnett -- which for the first time, he said, is sending two students to national competition in Indianapolis in November after they took top spots at the state contest.

"Brad has increased the number of kids participating, and his program has gotten so big that we had to hire a specific instructional aide to help him," Rice said.

Ag students will be putting metal roofs on several Lometa ISD buildings to learn a trade, and Barnett is looking into students performing community service in the spring to assist the elderly with lawn care.

And the ag aide also is the district's director for transportation, and he is teaching students basic car care skills.

In addition to the growing agriculture program, Rice said music has become more popular. With a large number of kids enrolled, the music facility has its own hall, whereas in the past it shared the stage and other rooms.

Rice said the future of Lometa ISD is bright -- especially considering the district's small turnover rate from last year. "We only lost two teachers."

He also hopes new construction will be in the district's future.

"We are still looking at the possibility of building a new gym," Rice said. "Our older facility can't handle the crowds." It was built for 200, and the superintendent said he would like a facility that could hold at least 500, along with a possible concession stand for football and basketball, plus new restroom facilities.

The addition several years ago of a cafetorium and stage has been a plus for Lometa, he added.

"We are happy with the whole setup right now, and the first few weeks of school have been very smooth.

"It's easy to talk about the good things going on here, because there are so many. We have a good board of trustees too, and that makes it easier to run the schools."