Nothing is definite, but it may well be a step in a hopeful direction.

Officials with the Ohio School Facilities Commission will visit Ironton Dec. 1 to meet with city school officials about the process of getting state money to renovate or build new schools.

Ironton City Schools Superintendent Dean Nance stressed the meeting does not mean that Ironton is getting any money from the state. But, he said it is one more reason to be optimistic.

"This is not our call to the big leagues and I don't want to give false hope. We've been at this step before," he said. "But its a good sign. We may have our shot."

State officials are expected to meet with Nance, the board president Robert Pleasant Jr., possibly the vice president Teresa Parker, treasurer Patty Wade and possibly other school officials to discuss what steps must be taken if the district is approved for state monies.

Nance said last month that he had obtained a list of Ohio School Facilities Commission district rankings for school construction funding for the coming fiscal year. The city district is in the 14th spot on that list in terms of eligibility to receive funding.

In the 2005 fiscal year, the Ohio School Facilities Commission funded 14 projects so Ironton could be in line for state money.