In a matter of days, students will file through the doors of the Lometa Independent School District for their first day of the 2010- 2011 school year. And just in time for the new term, Lometa is getting good financial news.

The school district has been designated a recipient of a three-year Title I grant worth a total of $1,149,393, with $473,373 to arrive this school year.

“We are thrilled to death to get this grant,” said Superintendent David Rice. “I think it will have a powerful impact on both the students and teachers of Lometa ISD.

“The services and equipment this grant will allow us to provide will greatly benefit the children of Lometa, as it not only improves their TAKS scores today but serves to further their future aspirations after graduation,” he said.

The grant will allow for the addition of much-needed equipment and implementation of curriculum programs, including CSCOPE and Academy of Math, as well as college preparation and inclusion training, Rice said.

In its regular business, the board of trustees agreed to the renewal of a loan for the school’s football field lighting system. After this year’s $10,000 payment on the note, approximately $80,000 remains.

County Extension Agents Jason Byrd and Karen DeZarn were approved by the board as adjunct faculty members for the upcoming school year.

In his principal’s report, Kip Bullock informed the group that student and faculty handbooks are complete, as is the student code of conduct.

Curriculum Director Rob Moore apprised board members of the completion of several training sessions attended by Lometa teachers. The CSCOPE program will be fully implemented in all math classes through eighth grade, as well as in secondary science and social studies classes. Moore also said a minimum of 11 new “smart boards” will be installed in Lometa classrooms. And he indicated last week’s high school registration went smoothly.

In his monthly report, special projects administrator Jamie Smart elaborated on the benefits of the Title 1 grant, as he told the board of his hopes to better serve the school population.

In the superintendent’s report, Rice reported that a new roof will be installed on portions of the school building in the upcoming weeks. He also announced the annual staff and family appreciation dinner will take place Thursday at 6 p.m. in the school cafetorium.

A public meeting will be held Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. to discuss the district’s application for a USDA grant totaling $28,000 that would include the purchase of a walk-in freezer for the cafeteria. A public hearing on the proposed tax rate of $1.04 per $100 valuation and the proposed 2010-11 budget will follow at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 26.

The board accepted the resignation of teacher Lu Ann Williams and approved the hiring of Edna Torres on a one-year probationary contract.