An Act To Promote The Community School Program

This bill expands the Community School Program in Maine by removing the limit on how many schools the Department of Education can designate. Under the new rules, the department can select up to three schools starting in 2016-2017, five in 2020-2021, ten in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, and any number of additional schools beginning in the 2023-2024 school year. To support this expansion, the state will provide funding to the schools and may hire a coordinator to manage the program. The department must also publish application details and deadlines on its website for interested school districts.