Senate approves Millett bill to grow community schools

AUGUSTA — A bill from Sen. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, LD 1216 “An Act to Support Community Schools,” received Senate approval on Tuesday.

The bill would make the Department of Education’s pilot community school project permanent, authorizing five community schools in the 2020-2021 school year and 10 more in 2021-2022. A community school is a partnership between the school and community organizations, agencies and citizens facilitated by a school coordinator.

“With the support of my colleagues, we have taken an important step to expand the community school model,” said Sen. Millett. “Community school programs can increase efficiency and bring all partners in a community together to better use resources to the benefit of our students.”

Many students face challenges inside and outside the classroom. Maine educators are increasingly confronted with non-academic issues that interfere with a child’s ability to learn. Community schools surround students with a network of support, empowering them to succeed in school and achieve in life while allowing the teachers to remain focused on classroom instruction and learning. Having one person to coordinate support at the community level would help to sustain relationships between the community and the school, improve efficiency while alleviating the burden on other staff.

The bill faces additional votes before the Maine Senate and House.

###