The Lincoln County School District will soon begin after schoolprograms to help students and parents learn the importance of areceiving a high school education.

Two grants totaling over $200,000 for the school district wereapproved by school board members at the Monday meeting.

The district will receive a Family First Resource Center Grantfor $115,000 and a Family Intervention Grant in the amount of$83,000 for one year to begin educational after school programs,said Superintendent of Education Perry Miller.

“There will be a director and social workers and part-timetutors for both of the grants,” he added.

The programs will concentrate on helping families of studentsconsidered at high-risk for drop out or pregnancy.

Another topic of discussion Tuesday was roof problems at schoolsin the Bogue Chitto area.

Lincoln County school board members declared a damaged roof atNew Zion Day Care Center on Highway 51 an emergency situation thatneeded to be taken care of soon.

The roof, which was damaged during a storm over a month ago,will be replaced with the help of insurance funds.

“They agreed to pay for the lowest quote, all but $1,000 of it,”said Miller of the insurance company.

Board members also brought up the need for roof work at BogueChitto Gym, which has a leak problem during rainfall.

“It’s going to ruin the floor if it doesn’t get fixed,” saidBoard Member Joann Holmes.

School officials also have been concerned that someone may getinjured by slipping on the water that collects on the gym floor.Several players fell during basketball games last year because ofthe leak.

“It’s going to get fixed,” said Miller. “We are awaiting onapproval from Mississippi Public School Building Fund.”

During a special presentation Tuesday night, a World War IIveteran was given his high school diploma. Leroy Bracey, 73, ofBogue Chitto, was thankful for the opportunity the school boardgave him to finally have a high school diploma.

“It’s been a long time, but it finally came around,” saidBracey, who would have graduated from the former Lincoln CountyTraining School in 1946 if he had not been drafted into the Army in1945.

School board members adopted a policy earlier this year to awarddiplomas to World War II veterans who were shy of graduating only afew credits. They were glad to honor Bracey with the diploma.

“We appreciate you for doing what you’ve done for our country,”Board Member Jerry Coon told Bracey.

The next school board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m., Nov. 6,at the central office on Monticello Street.