AUGUSTA — The Sanford School Department will continue to forge ahead under the state’s conventional school construction process in its quest for a new technical career school ”“ now that the Maine Department of Education has chosen a different project for a model school.

With an industrial base heavily dependent on skilled workers ”“ and 6,000 high school students surrounding Sanford, the region’s vocational education center ”“ employers have signaled their support for a school that will provided trained workers for the future.

School officials learned that the long-sought Great Works Technical and Career School was passed over Wednesday by the State Board of Education under the model school initiative. The board of education instead unanimously chose to endorse a mid-coast project called Many Flags, One Campus. In any case, there’s no money for construction, though the endorsement means the mid-coast project would be first in line once money becomes available.

“One aspect we’ll be watchful around is that the resolution for the innovative (model) school construction (says it) cannot impact conventional school construction finances,” said Superintendent Betsy St. Cyr.

Sanford has applied for funding for Great Works and renovations or replacement of three elementary schools in town under the conventional construction process.

St. Cyr said she had an opportunity to address the state education board prior to their vote, and reminded them that a number of companies that fulfill military contracts surround Sanford and support Great Works Technical and Career School.

Inspectors with the conventional construction process will visit Sanford schools later this month, to examine Sanford High School and Regional Vocational Center along with the three elementary schools. The schools are among 74 applications on the state’s list. The board of education is expected to make a decision and release its priority list in the spring.

Wednesday’s endorsement of the mid-coast proposal was the latest episode in a lengthy process, in which Sanford come out on top in scoring two years ago. The proposal was for a new  “one campus” school encompassing a four-year technical program with opportunity for higher education on-site, along with a conventional high school.

But even as then-education commissioner Susan Gendron was poised to recommend Sanford’s Great Works proposal be given priority over Many Flags ”“ the only other applicant ”“ a review of  both applications ensued. Ultimately, the review panel discovered some inconsistencies in the law and rules accompanying the law,  education officials said, so the process was re-aligned and it was determined the application process would begin anew.

In this second round, Many Flags, One Campus came out on top. Sanford officials appealed, but lost, and on Wednesday, the state education board made their choice as recommended by Commissioner Angela Faherty.

Given state budget woes  it is unclear when funding for the model school may be approved.

“The Commissioner (Angela Faherty) has not yet developed her recommended budget for the next biennium,” said education department spokesman David Connerty-Marin. “Certainly it is no secret that money for education (and all state programs) is tight. That’s not an indication of what might happen, but certainly a backdrop for any budget recommendations the Commissioner and Governor make, as well as final decision the Legislature will make.”

As envisioned, Great Works would be a four-year diploma-granting school offering academics as well as technical and other career choices and those attending would be full-time students. All would have options for continuing education at the school through Grade 16.

Maine currently offers technical and vocational programs to students only in grades 11 and 12.

— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.