MSAD 52 announced that two schools in the district were selected for a five-year Maine Inclusive Education Model School Project run through the University of Maine system.

Shannon (first name only in the transcript), speaking during administrative reports, told the board, "we found out today that we were accepted. So we are going to be part of a 5 year grant that, of funded supported implementation for the multi tiered systems of support." She said Leeds and Turner Elementary School are the two MSAD 52 schools chosen among five recipients statewide.

Rebecca Drysdale, the district director of special education, and other district staff said the grant will fund training, scheduling support, and possible funding for an inclusion facilitator at one or more schools. The program will also position selected buildings as model schools where educators from other districts can observe inclusion practices and participate in research with University of Maine researchers.

District leaders said the work will include scheduling changes, service-delivery analysis for students with individualized education programs (IEPs), additional teacher training and an opportunity to participate in inclusion-focused research that could generate publications and broader professional development.

Why it matters: The grant provides multi-year technical and financial support to expand inclusive practices and special-education service delivery. District leaders said participation may also increase professional development opportunities for staff and raise the profile of the district's inclusion work in state-level educational research.

What comes next: District staff will coordinate with the university partners on implementation, begin scheduling adjustments and consider whether to seek a district-funded inclusion facilitator or to use grant funds to hire such a position. The grant work will be monitored by district special education leadership and shared in future board reports.