Augusta – The Maine Department of Education today announced that four new EMBRACE grants have been conditionally awarded to school districts and other education agencies. Made available as part of the statewide regionalization initiative, the round-three EMBRACE grants prioritize Enabling Maine students to Benefit from Regional and Coordinated approaches to Education. The awardees are partnering on a regional level to improve educational opportunities for students.
A total of 17 applications were received by the Department for the second competitive grant opportunity funded through the Fund for the Efficient Delivery of Educational Services (FEDES), which was made available to districts last summer. Of those 17 applications, four have been conditionally awarded. Based on the funding requests, totaling $4.2 million, the four awardees have projected savings of over $7 million in a 5-year period.
The first two rounds of EMBRACE grant funding in 2017 and the spring of 2018, had 19 grantees being awarded over $7.5 million in funds for regionalization efforts.
Round three EMBRACE (FEDES) grant project descriptions:
Down East Maine Career and Technical Education (CTE) Collaborative
This project will support the expansion of career and technical education programming opportunities to western Washington County. The project aims to increase student enrollment in CTE programs at the high school level and provide introductory and exploratory sessions for middle school students.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – RSU 37/MSAD 37 (Addison, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Harrington, Milbridge)
- Cherryfield Public Schools
- Machias Public Schools
- Moosabec CSD #17/School Union 103 (Beals Public Schools, Jonesport Public Schools)
- Washington Academy
Kennebec Valley Multiple Pathways Academy II
This project will support a high school alternative education program that aims to reduce dropout and truancy rates by providing new and improved opportunities for at-risk students with multiple pathways for achievement.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – RSU 83/MSAD 13 (Bingham, Moscow)
- RSU 59/MSAD 59 (Madison)
- RSU 74/MSAD 74 (Anson, Embden, New Portland, Solon)
Maine Center for Leadership and Innovation (MCLI)
This project will support the creation of a Leadership Academy that aims to provide a high-quality, research-based system of professional learning experiences and support for school- and district-level leaders.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – RSU 6/MSAD 6 (Buxton, Frye Island, Hollis, Limington, Standish)
- Brunswick Public Schools
- Cape Elizabeth Public Schools
- Gorham Public Schools
- Portland Public Schools
- RSU 14 (Raymond, Windham)
- RSU 15/MSAD 15 (Gray, New Gloucester)
- Scarborough Public Schools
- South Portland Public Schools
- Westbrook Public Schools
Valley Unified Learning Transformed
This project will support three components for the Valley Unified Integrated, Consolidated 9-16 Educational Facility: the merger of software systems that feed into the common student information and payroll/accounting systems; a comprehensive enrollment study, educational visioning, concept approval, and site approval; and develop programming options that link regional workforce needs to the regional education goals.
Participants:
- Lead SAU – Madawaska Public Schools
- MSAD 27 (Ft. Kent, New Canada, Saint Francis, Saint John Plantation, Wallagrass)
- RSU 33/MSAD 33 (Frenchville, Saint Agatha)