AUGUSTA — Two Sanford schools are among six schools approved for state funding to move forward with renovation or replacement projects.

The Maine Department of Education announced the top six projects today from a list of 71 schools that applied for the funds.

The six schools on the list are: Morison Memorial School, Corinth (RSU 64); Sanford High School & Regional Technical Center; Newport Elementary School (RSU 19); Emerson School, Sanford; Charles A. Snow School, Fryeburg (RSU 72); and Nokomis Regional High School, Newport (RSU 19).

The six would be the first schools since 2005 to be slated for construction with state funds, according to the department. School districts will now develop and submit plans for either construction or renovation.

No cost estimates have been made for the six approved projects. As the costs becomes clearer, the department may award funding for additional projects.

The Maine Board of Education has signed off on improvements to six schools in critical need of renovation or replacement.

Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen said today that the board approved the list of six schools that would be the first since 2005 to be slated for state construction funds.

The schools are Morison Memorial School in Corinth; Sanford High School & Regional Technical Center; Newport Elementary School; Emerson School in Sanford; Charles A. Snow School in Fryeburg and Nokomis Regional High School in Newport.

Department officials say no decisions have been made about whether the six schools will require new construction, or simply renovation. The schools are at the top of a priority list of 71 schools that applied for renovation or replacement.