PARIS – One person’s vision of the way things could be opened SAD 17’s doors to a $450,000 grant.

The financial award, the 21st Century Community Learning Centers’ grant, was the idea of John Churchill, Community Concepts Inc.’s development and family services director.

Now that they have it, directors wanted to know how it will be used. On Monday night, they got that update from its project director, Melanie Ellsworth, and program manager Luba Green.

The grant is for $150,000 per year for the next three years.

Ellsworth said additional funding is available for two years past that, but it would be based on performance and evaluation of the first three years and would not be as much as $150,000.

She said the purpose of the program is to improve students’ academic achievement through a range of programs, offer families of students opportunities for educational development and get the community involved in supporting and planning the programs.

The eventual goal, Ellsworth said, is to have the programs be self sufficient, operated by a non-profit board of community members.

Ellsworth said the money will be used to open two new programs and help support three existing ones. Already a non-profit board is running similar programs at the elementary schools in Waterford, Oxford and Harrison. The programs do not cost the school district any money, except for transportation.

She said the grant will allow the after-school programs to begin in elementary schools in West Paris and Norway.

Green said an advisory council and financial teams have been formed and a needs assessment done for the West Paris and Norway programs.

A board of directors is being formed at both sites and site coordinators, staff and learning specialists will be hired soon.

Much of the program will be aided by volunteers from the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School.

Green said computers and supplies for the new sites have been ordered.

“These will provide wonderful, safe places for our children after school,” Ellsworth said.

She said reading and math programs will be offered as well as music, crafts, physical programs, computer work and help with homework.

The board also heard from Facilities Director David Marshall, who said the company Weil-McLain took some responsibility for damages to boilers at the Waterford Memorial Elementary School and will replace cracked sections.

Nason Mechanical Systems of Auburn will do the labor, which the district must pay. That will cost the district $4,320.

The board also approved Oxford member Kerry Halterman as legislative liaison for this school year. He will update the board on pending legislation affecting education.

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