The Franklin County Children’s Task Force and Regional School Unit 9 have received a $1.5 million grant to establish a new after-school and summer program for elementary school students.

A nearly 5 percent increase for SAD 11 is being driven by shifts in federal funding, an increase in special education enrollments and the need to address the impacts of the state’s opioid crisis on students.

Two women overcame starkly different challenges to be among 35 Mid-Maine Regional Adult Community Education students who are graduating Tuesday night.

Speakers were Sarah Marie Arseneau, of Nova Scotia, class of 2016, and William J. Brennan, class of 1970 and now president of Maine Maritime Academy.

The $26 million budget is about 2 percent more than last year’s, an increase caused mostly by state funding reductions, according to the school board chairman.

Fifth-graders at the Harriet Beecher Stowe school stage Pickett’s Charge.

The women — Meg Cook and Mary Dyer — have taught for a combined 77 years at the school and are described by the school board chairwoman as ‘consummate professionals.’