ROCKLAND — Programs for both at-risk and gifted and talented students are being explored for the 1990-91 school year at the Midcoast School of Technology (formerly Region 8 Vocational School). The programs have received conceptual approval from area superintendents and principals, Thomas F. Birmingham, MST director, said Thursday.

The new offerings were seen as an opportunity to enhance not only the image of the vocational school, but to broaden the use of a facility that has been underused.

The proposals were being referred to local school boards within Region 8 to decide if they wanted to participate. Birmingham said that while the programs would be based at the vocational school, a funding formula would have to be worked out from the sending schools. The budgets would be separate from the vocational-school budget. The proposals would need the backing of at least the four major school districts, SADs 5, 28, 40 and 50, Birmingham said.

The proposed budget of the alternative education program was initially plugged at $150,000, but was scaled back to about $100,000 as a base cost. Sending schools also would pay a per-pupil tuition.

The concept for the alternative education program was designed by Neal Guyer of Georges Valley High School. It was seen as a means of designing a dropout prevention system that would replace the numerous independent programs operated by school districts.

Birmingham said that as conceived, the program would offer students a complete program designed toward gaining a diploma. Classes would be held from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. to appeal to a wider student base. Students would be screened before acceptance. The process would focus on a student’s positive reasons for seeking an alternative program.

Among those the program may attract were homeless teens, pregnant or parenting teens, students on probation, students recovering from substance abuse, those seeking individualized learning experience, those below grade level who would not graduate with their class, and some special-education referrals.

Besides being offered the normal courses of English, mathematics and science, the vocational programs of the school also would be available, as well as the opportunity for on-the-job training. Students would maintain connections with their home schools for extracurricular activities and athletics.

A transportation system already was in place and could be used for the alternative program students, Birmingham said. There also was adequate space at the school to house the program.

Introduction of a gifted and talented program this fall also was seen as an opportunity to encourage the use of the vocational school facilities to the student seeking something more than a job skill.

As designed, students would meet at the vocational school one day a month or two half-days a month for programs in visual arts and drama. There would be a maximum of 20 students per class from the member schools of the region.

Birmingham said that equipment at the school, such as woodworking or welding, would be used for artistic endeavors. Artists, performers, or writers would be contracted to instruct the students. School staff also would be involved for the instruction on the workings of machinery.

A preliminary budget estimate of $3,700 for a full year of visual arts and $1,900 for a drama course during the second semester was presented with the proposal.

Birmingham said the program had been received very well by area superintendents who would propose initiation of the program during the 1990-91 school year.