Sec. 1. Appropriation. The following funds are appropriated from the General Fund to carry out the purposes of this Act.

1999-00

EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF

Learning Systems

All Other $1,000,000

Provides funds to be distributed to public secondary schools to hire college guidance counselors. The primary focus of the college guidance counselors will be to provide postsecondary education information to high school students that includes areas such as necessary secondary school courses and college financial aid options and availability. The Department of Education may adopt routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A to implement this college guidance program.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION __________

TOTAL $1,000,000

MAINE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM,

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE

Maine Technical College System -

Board of Trustees

All Other $250,000

Provides funds to develop student retention programs to reduce college drop-out rates.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE

MAINE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM ________

TOTAL $250,000

UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM,

BOARD OT TRUSTEES OF THE

Educational and General Activities -