Comments sought on Maine’s IDEA Part B application

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is seeking comments from the public on its annual application for federal funds under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which covers services to children with disabilities, ages 3-20.

The application, which covers Maine fiscal year 2019 (starting July 1, 2018) is posted on the Maine DOE’s webpage at http://www.maine.gov/doe/specialed/idea. The Part B budget is projected on the basis of Maine’s award for the current State fiscal year (2018), pending the State’s receipt of the finalized federal award for the coming year. Both documents will be posted from March 8^th, 2018 through May 8^th, 2018.

Written comments will be accepted from March 9^th, 2018 until 4 p.m. on Friday, April 6^th, 2018. Please send comments to Janice Breton at janice.breton@maine.gov or 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME. 04333.

EPS High-Cost Out-of-District Report (EF-S-214) open for reporting on March 1

The EF-S-214 will be open to Maine public schools on March 1 for data entry. School administrative unit staff responsible for completion of this report should complete the report in NEO as early as possible to allow time for certification by the special service director and the business manager. The Department’s School Finance Team must approve the report by April 15 in order to apply eligible adjustments to the current year subsidy calculation before the end of the fiscal year.

The EF-S-214 report is required to be submitted by all publicly funded school administrative units. Only costs for tuition and board should be included in the report, and only students that have a total cost above $36,229 should be included on the report. School administrative units should project the costs for the remainder of the fiscal year. For those school administrative units with no students that will meet that threshold, a “zero” report should be submitted.

Reminder of changes made to the report since the last reporting cycle:

The form is to be certified and submitted by the business manger
The ability to import out of district placements is now available
Students can have multiple lines if they have had more than one placement during the year
There is now the option to view a summary sheet which provides a total adjustment amount, if all costs are approved
An internal messaging system has been added to communicate questions
The form will auto-populate the school administrative unit contact information based on data on file in the Department’s NEO staff module

The EF-S-214 report may be found by logging into NEO at: https://neo.maine.gov/DOE/NEO/Accounts/Account/Login

Please contact Stephanie Clark, Fiscal Review and Compliance Consultant at stephanie.clark@maine.gov

Maine DOE Update – March 1, 2018

From the Maine Department of Education

Priority Notices:

Reporting Items

EPS High-Cost Out-of-District Report (EF-S-214) open for reporting on March 1

| Visit the DC&R Reporting Calendar |

News & Updates

Early Start Maine Earns National Recognition for Infant and Early Childhood Intervention

Early Start Maine, a program funded by federal grants for special education administered through the Maine Department of Education, has received the national 2018 Exemplary Program Award for Infant and Early Childhood Intervention services by the American Council on Rural Special Education, the national organization devoted entirely to special education in rural America. | More

Updated guidance on local approval for regional service centers

The Department is issuing updated guidance on obtaining local approval for a regional service center (RSC). Previous guidance stated that each school administrative unit (SAU) member of an RSC must hold a referendum on their interlocal agreement; however, a recent review of applicable statutes provides that local practices and each SAU’s structure will determine the approval process for an RSC interlocal agreement. Specifically: | More

Reminder regarding student participation in post-secondary enrollment programs

Maine high school students are afforded the opportunity to participate in post-secondary programs under 20-A MRSA, Chapter 208-A. This statute details student eligibility requirements and proscribes the level of student participation as 6 credit hours per semester, not to exceed 12 credit hours per academic year. | More

Outstanding educators sought for Maine talent pool

The Maine Department of Education is accepting recommendations through April 27, 2018 for the 2018 Maine Educator Talent Pool. These distinguished educators may be considered for membership on local and state advisory boards and task forces, as well as be candidates for special recognition through the Department. | More

Discretionary medication administration in schools

Registered nurses working as school nurses are in a unique place. Although they are school employees working under the rules and regulations of the local school board and State of Maine Department of Education, they are also licensed by the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, Board of Nursing and therefore must follow the Nurse Practice Act and its rules. | More

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