Team helps instill area appreciation: Maine School Administrative District 12 / Maine.

A dwindling population and changing economy led many people in Jackman, Maine, to question the community's sustainability. Between 1981 and 2001, only 8 percent of the students who graduated from the district's Forest Hills High School completed a post-secondary education experience and returned to the area.

The solution to the problem seemed apparent to some. If the education program could be transformed to include more community involvement, students might gain a better understanding and appreciation for their rich local heritage and want to return to make the area their home after receiving a post-secondary education, helping to ensure a viable, productive community for the future.

To address the problem, the Community Leadership Team was created and led to Maine School Administrative District 12 being named the Maine state winner in the 2007 National Civic Star Award competition.

The team has met monthly since 2003 and is now comprised of about 40 individuals, including school administrators, teachers, students, school board members, business owners, higher education representatives, nonprofit partners, news reporters, state and county public service representatives, clergy and parents. Each September the Student Council selects two student representatives to serve on the leadership team.

The team's monthly meeting agendas include school district events and reports that will be discussed by the team, progress on current goals, student test results, trends and areas for improvement. Every agenda also allows time for community members to submit new ideas that might help improve the overall education experience.

The committee has fostered a variety of community learning experiences for students in grades K-12. The projects have ranged from a study of local history in partnership with the Jackman-Moose Historical Society to an ongoing partnership with students in Bogaloosa, La., to learn about the common interests and differences between the two lumbering communities.

After raising money to send a load of lumber to the Louisiana community after it was ravaged by hurricanes in 2005, Forest Hills students created a documentary about their effort. Trips were planned by each group to visit the other, after which a follow-up documentary about the experience would be produced. Projects have also been undertaken to honor veterans, work with senior citizens, plant trees and explore careers with various community partners.

A variety of indicators suggest the Community Leadership Team and activities it has fostered may be having an impact. For example, more students are returning to the area after post-secondary education. The current return rate is 10 percent, up from 8 percent in 2001. The percentage of students who want to pursue post-secondary education has risen. Local education support has grown as evidenced by an increase in scholarships, new programs and grants. State and national test scores have also risen since the team began work.

For more information, contact Superintendent Richard H. Curtis at [phone] or by e-mailing [e-mail]. Curtis's mailing address is Maine School Administrative District 12, P.O. Box 239, 606 Main St., Jackman, ME 04945.