Major infusion of funds for seven schools
AUGUSTA – The U.S. Department of Education announced Monday that Maine will receive the $13.3 million it was pledged for School Improvement Grants as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Funds will go to seven schools that meet specific federal criteria and have low levels of proficiency in reading and math and a low level of improvement. Any unused funds will be carried over for more schools identified next year.
The seven schools are from a group of 10 schools that were identified this spring as eligible for the major infusion of funds. The money will go to professional development, before and after school and summer programs, and other initiatives aimed at making significant improvement in student achievement. The money can be used for up to three years. Three of the 10 schools chose not to apply for the funds.
The Maine Department of Education is working with the seven schools to finalize their plans for federal approval and will announce the dollar amounts for the school awards in the next week or two. They will range from about $700,000 to $3.4 million.
“These schools stepped up and will be putting in place sustainable and far-reaching initiatives that will improve student achievement,” said Angela Faherty, Acting Commissioner of Education for Maine.
The seven schools that will receive funds are:
Governor James B. Longley Elem School, Lewiston School Dept Riverton Elementary School, Portland School Department Sumner Memorial High School, Sullivan, RSU 24 Carrabec High School, North Anson, SAD 74 Deer Isle-Stonington High School, Deer-Isle Stonington C.S.D. Lake Region High School, Naples, SAD 61 Livermore Falls High School, SAD 36
For more information, visit the Maine Department of Education.