BATH

Along with 21 other school districts across Maine, RSU 1 recently applied for a $3 million grant to enhance their special education program.

Between RSU 1 and the other school districts, there are $7.6 million in grant requests — meaning not all of the districts will receive grant money for their respective programs.

RSU 1 Superintendent Patrick Manuel said that the grant would allow RSU 1 to keep as many special education students within their school district as possible. Families often move their children with special needs to other schools with better special education programs, and Manuel said this grant money would cut down on that displacement and foster student well-being in the Midcoast.

“Instead of sending students outside of their school districts, this program would let us keep them nearby,” said Manuel. “The ultimate goal is that, over time, the students can learn the skills they need and exit the program.”

Evaluation teams from the Maine Department of Education met with state officials on Thursday to determine which school districts will receive grant money, and according to DOE Deputy Commissioner Suzan Beaudoin, plan to announce the decision by Friday.

“This grant will be innovative for student consolidation,” said Beaudoin. “It’s a great way for schools to save money and a great way to keep kids at home.”

Beaudoin said that the Bangor School System recently received a similar grant for their special education program — specifically aimed at helping those with autism and high incidence disabilities — and that she has “heard great things about it.”