LIVERMORE FALLS – Grants worth nearly $30,000 have been awarded to SAD 36 through the efforts of staff members, Superintendent Terry Despres told directors Thursday night.

Accounting for the majority is a Title VI rural and low-income grant worth $27,653 that was submitted by high and middle school Principals Rod Wright and Matt Gilbert.

The grant will pay for an after school program that can include tutorial and expanded educational opportunities and a Saturday school to provide help for students who are failing, to get back on track, Wright said.

Other provisions will include work with parents on financial aid and an introduction to college, an expanded school day, recognition of student achievement, and support for efforts to establish relationships with parents.

A major aim of the educational components is to raise aspirations. “Our drop-out rate is unacceptable,” Despres stated.

Also recognized by a $2,000 Spreading Educator to Educator Developments grant written by Darren and Colleen Akerman during his 5th grade Powerpoint “Time Tales” project.

The stipend will allow them to train others to use technology to achieve Maine’s Learning Results.

Donna Wilcox was awarded a $500 Best Practices Grant for HIV prevention education at the high school.

In other business the board approved the humanities seminar in New York City April 8 and 9 where students will view Aida. Prior to the trip, students will attend a five-week evening seminar to give them a foundation of knowledge about the performance.

Aaron Richard, Jed Hiscock and Garrrett Young presented a proposal for the class of 2004’s senior trip and Project Graduation.

The class has chosen Six Flags New England in Springfield, Ma., on May 28 for the trip and the Big Adventure Center in Bethel for Project Graduation.

Gilbert and his Leadership Team Council presented a mission statement they developed for the middle school, telling about the process and how they hope to implement it.

Team members are Debbie Finley, Troy Eastman, Chris Moreau and Grace Eaton.

Directors had their first look at the proposed 2004-05 schedule that would find students starting school on Aug. 31 and classes ending on June 10. Five teacher in-service days are included, two during Thanksgiving week to give students a full week off. Christmas vacation would be from Dec. 23 to Jan 3.