Lincoln County students will now be able to get out of classes acouple hours early on the day of their school’s homecoming, theschool board decided Monday.

After little discussion on the matter, the board membersunanimously decided to allow students to leave school at 1 p.m. onhomecoming day.

The decision was made because school district officials believethe students need the extra time to prepare for the night’s events,and students’ are often distracted on homecoming day anyway.

“There’s just so many activities going on during homecoming, andbecause of the excitement level of the students, we thought itwould be best,” said Superintendent Perry Miller.

The early dismissal will be considered a 60 percent day.Homecomings are just around the corner with West Lincoln AttendanceCenter celebrating on Friday.

In other matters discussed during last night’s meeting, anotherWorld War II veteran has applied for a high school diploma.

Leroy Bracey of Bogue Chitto was only half a credit short ofgraduation requirements at the former Lincoln County TrainingSchool when he returned from service in 1948.

School board members reviewed his situation and decided to awardhim a high school diploma for sacrificing his education to servehis country. The award ceremony will take place at a laterdate.

Sixteenth section land matters were also discussed last nightwith the opening and approval of several hunting and fishingbids.

In one bid process, the new law concerning the present leaseholders’ rights was put into action.

A bid was received on section 16-8-5 for more than the currentlease holder had bid, so the lease holder, who was represented atthe meeting, decided to use the new law to secure the property.

“It’s my understanding that the lease holder wishes to match orexceed that bid,” said Miller of the law.

The school board was presented with a check matching the amountof the highest bid.

Permission was given last night for Gary Walker, district fivesupervisor, to temporarily use the office at Progress, an oldschool near Loyd Star, for a few weeks.

The next scheduled school board meeting will be 5:30 p.m., Oct.16, at the central office on Monticello Street.