BAR HARBOR — Quietly, without fanfare, the Mount Desert Island Educational Enhancement Fund (EEF) has enriched the educational experiences of thousands of local students over the past eight years, superintendent Rob Liebow told the school system board last week.

Mount Desert resident Lisa Heyward, a former chairman of both the MDI High School and school system boards, created the EEF in 2003 and formed a board to administer it. The purpose was to provide opportunities for students that are beyond the scope of the regular school budgets.

“It supports ideas that will create equity of opportunity, broaden student cultural experiences and raise student aspirations,” Ms. Heyward said. She continues to serve as president of the EFF board, which has awarded a total of $214,000 in grants to the schools.

The EEF’s most recent grant was $16,000 to help the school system fund its new clinical social worker position for next fiscal year.

“The work you guys have done is really making a difference,” said school board member Tom Burton of Bar Harbor.

Ms. Heyward said most of the money for the grants the EEF makes comes from “a few sources, not a lot; it’s anonymous.”

She said gifts of cash or stock are tax deductible and are always welcome. She can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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