Lewiston committee approves grant submissions and girls basketball trip

The Lewiston School Committee on Monday unanimously approved multiple grant submissions and cleared a summer field trip for Lewiston High School's girls basketball team.

Jenny Darrigan, the district's federal programs coordinator, briefed the committee on a 21st Century Community Learning Centers application seeking $211,848 for an initial four-year allocation to serve McMahon and Geiger schools and continue after-school and summer programming for eligible, lower-performing students. Darrigan said Geiger currently serves about 51 students and McMahon about 71, and described local partnerships that support program components.

"This is a four year grant for the McMahon and Geiger 21st Century program," Darrigan said. "It is a total amount of 211,848."

The committee voted to approve submitting the 21st Century application.

Darrigan also presented a competitive Title I reallocation request for summer 2026, seeking $308,458 to fund six K-8 summer sites, about six weeks of programming, four hours per day, breakfast and lunch, and about 43 staff. She explained the district braids Title I reallocation and 21st Century funding to support after-school and summer services.

"We are asking for $308,458 of the Title I reallocation budget for summer 2026," Darrigan said. "That is the exact amount that we spent last year; we're hoping to run a very similar size program serving approximately 370 students."

The committee approved submitting the Title I application.

Separately, the committee approved submission of a Sewell Foundation application. Darrigan described that request as a four-year application at the maximum $150,000 per year to continue a housing-navigation project that supports students and families.

Jason Fuller, athletic director at Lewiston High School, asked the committee to approve a girls'basketball team trip to a team camp at Northwood University in Midland, Mich., June 25-29, including booster-club funding for meals and registration and a request to use district vans. Fuller said the trip would include 12 players, two coaches and opportunities for team development and classroom work with college coaches.

"I think it's a great opportunity for our kids and our program to take the next step," Fuller said. "It's a great way to basically start the summer and carry into the month of July."

Members raised safety and chaperone questions; Member Bowden moved to approve the trip with a caveat that the school secure a female chaperone for the girls, and Member Hurd seconded. The motion passed on a unanimous voice roll call.

Votes at a glance
- 21st Century grant application (McMahon & Geiger): moved by Member Jensen; outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Title I summer-program application (summer 2026): moved by Member Herd; outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Sewell Foundation application (housing navigation project): moved by Member Hurd; outcome: approved (unanimous).
- Lewiston High girls basketball team field trip (Northwood University, June 25-29): moved by Member Bowden; outcome: approved (unanimous) with request to secure a female chaperone.

Why it matters: The grants support after-school and summer enrichment that district leaders say improves attendance, engagement and academic supports for students most in need. The Title I reallocation request in particular would fund expanded summer services for hundreds of K-8 students; committee members emphasized the competitive nature of the awards and that final funding levels will be set by the state.

What's next: The district will submit the applications and await state and foundation award decisions. The girls'basketball team will proceed with travel preparations provided the booster club and chaperone arrangements meet district requirements.