Regional School Unit 25 Superintendent Jim Boothby said they started the program at Bucksport in 2011-12 with grant money, but have continued it for two years without additional funding, and expanded it to the middle school.
“It is part of our culture now,” Boothby said, noting that the school has seen increases in test scores and graduation rates. He said the graduation rate had been just under 80 percent for years, and is now more consistently around 90 percent. “When I walk into the high school now, everything has a purpose. I see a healthy environment, an environment prepared to meet the needs of the students.”