Saying it was, "an excellent start," Superintendent Scott Pierce said the district has 2,925 as of the first week, but is expecting many more students as the year gets underway.

The board received the regular monthly reports, including the treasurer's.

In that report the board was told the district started the last month with just over $927,000 and ended with $1.9 million.

Pierce also said federal stimulus funds, known as Fiscal Stabilization Funds, which though it wouldn't improve the district's situation, would at least prevent it from deteriorating, as it would if the state funding cuts had been actual..

"It will keep SEEK (state paid) funds at 2009 levels," Pierce explained.

That program is a major source of funding for districts across Kentucky, and state budget issues were going to cause severe cuts to those funds, but the federal bailout money will prevent that.

Pierce said the federal money comes with new program and reporting requirements, and the board approved those and accepted the money.

Pierce stressed, as the meeting closed, that September 4 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Russell County Football Program.