All public and private schools serving any grades K through 12 are required by State regulations to adopt an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to preventing and controlling pests in buildings and grounds to protect students, staff and visitors from exposure to pesticides and health-threatening pests.
Continue reading “Schools, Pests, and Pesticides: What superintendents need to know”
School withdrawals and the financial impact are some of the topics in this month’s two part program called, Today River Valley, a video magazine for the towns of the upper Androscoggin River Valley.
Continue reading “A discussion about school withdrawals in Androscoggin River Valley”
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.
Maine DOE Newsroom 