AUGUSTA — Governor Janet Mills announced Monday that 14 school administrative units will receive a total of $2.7 million in grant funding from the Maine Department of Education to create or expand Pre-K programs this year.

The grants, which are the first of two rounds from the Governor’s Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, will increase the availability and accessibility of Pre-K for more than 500 children across Maine. A second, $6.3 million round of grants, making for a total $10 million investment in Pre-K from the Governor’s Jobs Plan, will be awarded later this year for programs beginning in fall 2023.

School administrative units will use the grants to purchase or renovate facility space; support staff recruitment and training; or pay for other start-up costs necessary create new Pre-K programs, expand the capacity or schedules of existing programs, or re-establish prior programs.

The Maine Department of Education is awarding the preliminary grants, which are subject to change pending school budget discussions, as follows:

To Establish New Pre-K Programs
Appleton Public Schools: $160,000
Greenville School Department: $114,321
Kittery School Department: $514,481
St. George School Department: $37,159
Yarmouth School Department: $181,300

To Expand Existing Pre-K programs
Bangor School Department: $74,928
Limestone School Department: $87,968
MSAD #49 (Fairfield, Benton, Clinton, Albion): $266,905
MSAD #54 (Skowhegan, Smithfield, Norridgewock, Mercer, Cornville, Canaan): $122,261
RSU #22 (Hampden, Newburgh, Winterport, Frankfort): $328,663
RSU #39 (Caribou): $98,516
St. George School Department: $37,159
Sanford School Department: $321,500
Vassalboro School Department: $171,771

To reestablish a Pre-K program
RSU #24 (Eastbrook, Franklin, Gouldsboro, Mariaville, Steuben, Sorrento, Sullivan, Waltham, Winter Harbor): $246,438
Yarmouth School Department: $181,300

The school administrative units receiving grants were selected through a competitive process from DOE, with priority given to programs that serve students from disadvantaged backgrounds and establish partnerships with community organizations to further support students and families. Six school administrative units will partner with Head Starts or other community providers on their Pre-K programs.