By ALEC O'MEARA

Staff Writer

FRANKLIN — The first charter school start-up grant approved by the New Hampshire Department of Education has been awarded to the Franklin Career Academy, a public school that will target students looking for a custom-made, direct pipeline into the state’s workforce.

Organizers hope to have a summer program up and running in 2004.

The school has been in the works for the past two years, said Bill Grimm, chairman of the school’s board of trustees. School staff will work closely with students and parents to design an individualized program that will accentuate the strengths and target areas that need improvement for each student. The school will also work closely with area businesses to give the students hands-on training in their preferred area of study.

"This isn’t going to be a school just for kids that are dropping out. We’re hoping this will be for all students that feel they are not getting all they can out of a traditional school experience," said Grimm.

Grimm offered health care as one possible avenue for students to travel down, but stressed that the overall idea is to find whatever best suits the individual student.

One innovation the school hopes to implement is individual laptops for each student enrolled in the program. The student would use the laptop throughout their studies, and if the student graduates, he or she would be able to keep the computer. Community seminars and mentorships would also be cornerstones of the educational program.

The state has awarded a grant of $322,900 for the start up costs of the school, an amount effective from January 1 through Sept. 30 of 2004. The school will primarily serve students in the Franklin School District, though it could ultimately serve students throughout the Lakes Region.

Grimm says the school is aiming for an enrollment of 100-125 students in 4-5 years time.

The grant comes as a portion of the $7.2 million grant recently awarded to the state via the federal Department of Education.

With funding in place, Grimm said the next step for the school was to hire a Head of School that would be an "ideal fit" for the initial stages of the process. Applications for several positions in the school have already been received, he said, though more are hoped for.

Once up and running, the school will be located at St. Mary’s School on Elkins Avenue.

Those interested in interviewing for the position should send a resume to the Franklin Career Academy, P.O. Box 70, Franklin, NH, 03235, or contact Grimm at 934-0216.

The school hopes to have a Head of School in place by the end of January.