Louise ISD gets $200K for PE dept.
By BRENDA SOMMER news1@leader-news.com

It may cost the Louise school district some money of its own to accept a $200,000 federal grant for physical education equipment and teacher training.

In July, Superintendent Andy Peters told trustees the district was awarded the grant, which had been applied for years earlier by a former LISD coach.

Besides training PE teachers, the money can only by used for physical education equipment for students in all grades, specifically targeting elementary students.

The grant funds cannot be used for athletics, buildings, sports fields or coaches. It can be used for everything from bouncy balls to stationary bikes, from jump ropes to universal type weight machines.

"The biggest challenge we have is, where are we going to put (the equipment)," Peters said at the time.

At the Sept. 17 meeting, Peters told trustees spaced cleared in the old elementary gymnasium might be the answer. The district recently gutted the old dressing rooms, coaches offices and locker areas in that facility.

"It would be a great place for the PE kids, and the community as a whole," said Rodney Dowell, LISD athletic director, who added there's room in the space for dance or other fitness classes for the public when the space is not in use by students.

However, the facility isn't yet ready for use.

"It needs fixing up," Peters said, citing the need for new flooring and air conditioning, among others.

The board agreed with Peters' suggestion he draw up plans for what is needed and seek proposals through advertising and by directly calling area contractors.

He said he should have some idea of the expected renovation costs once those proposals are submitted, and have them ready by the time the board meets in November.