Bill > LD1332

This bill establishes the Community Schools Success Fund within the Maine Department of Education to provide grants supporting community schools, local education providers, and nonprofit organizations. The fund will help recipients with activities such as conducting community needs audits, developing readiness plans, creating sustainability efforts, providing professional development and training, and offering peer support and mentoring. To be eligible for grants, recipients must either be a designated community school, a school administrative unit developing a community school plan, a local education provider in a community school district, or a nonprofit organization supporting community school programs. Grant applicants must submit a detailed utilization plan describing their proposed work and community school support programs. The commissioner of education will develop rules for grant eligibility and use, which can include hiring, technical assistance, professional development, and conference attendance. The bill allocates $500 in other special revenue funds for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to support the initiative. A key goal of the fund is to help expand and strengthen community school programs across Maine by providing targeted financial and technical support.

Education

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=1332&snum=132