The Maine Department of Education will accept applications for the Federal Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) Program through May 26, 2016. The Department currently has $2,898,000 of QZAB allocation to distribute to qualifying schools units.
Continue reading “Federal Tax Credit Bond applications due May 26”
Maine DOE has awarded $7.4 million in School Revolving Renovation Fund (SRRF) loans to 13 school districts. The loans will be used to complete 37 health, safety and compliance projects at 21 schools including structural roof repairs, ADA upgrades, and hazardous material removal. A portion of each loan is considered a grant and is forgiven while the remaining balance of the loan is paid back at a zero percent interest rate.
School construction projects in the state are continuing to progress as the Maine DOE School Facilities team works with the 12 highest-rated school systems based on need from the 2010-11 rating cycle.
Continue reading “School construction projects continue to progress”
The internet plays a role in much of daily life at school, at work and at home. October was National Cyber Security Awareness Month with an aim to increase Americans’ understanding of basic cybersecurity practices to stay safe online and the role each of us plays in keeping cyberspace safe and secure.
The Department has completed its review of FY 2016 leased space applications and posted the results online here.
Continue reading “Department releases 2016 leased space approvals”
The Maine DOE will accept applications for the Federal Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) Program through October 15. The Department currently has $1,435,000 of QZAB issuing authority to distribute to qualifying schools units.
Continue reading “QZAB Tax Credit Bond applications due October 15”
In case you missed the 104th Annual Commissioner’s Conference, here is a recap with valuable links.
Acting Commissioner of Education, Thomas Desjardin opened and closed the conference at Sunday River with timely updates on the ongoing FY16 budget discussions and voting at the State House at the time. He also acknowledged the ever changing educational climate and the hard work and successes of school leaders and Maine DOE’s support through its multi-faceted services.
The Maine DOE will accept applications for funding of school renovation projects through the School Revolving Renovation Fund. The Department will be able to approve approximately $10 million in SRRF loans. A portion of each loan will be considered a grant and will be forgiven, and the remaining portion will be paid back over five or 10 years at zero percent interest.
A new and important release of Transfinder school transportation software is scheduled for June 20, 2015. Transfinder Routefinder Pro Version 12.0 is the largest release in the 27-year history of Transfinder, including nearly 40 new features and over 100 enhancements. For example, simultaneous school routing allowing multiple users to route for the same school at the same time, every grid includes a map allowing users to see the grid and the map at the same time, and much more that is user friendly and requires less clicks. The update is free to Maine public school districts. School districts that now use Transfinder are expected to see the change occur by late June.
Continue reading “Maine DOE announces school transportation software that’s going places”
The Maine DOE and the Educational Plant Maintenance Association of Maine invite superintendents, facilities directors, business managers, maintenance teams and custodial staff to the 47th Annual School Facilities Conference at Colby College on June 23-25. Registration to the conference is free for public school staff.
Continue reading “Maine DOE offers facilities conference for school staff”
Maine DOE Newsroom 