Category: Funding

Rule Change Adoption: Chapter 61, Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects

The revised Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects, Chapter 61, have been filed with the Secretary of State and will go into effect on Aug. 17.

Chapter 61 governs the expenditure of millions of Maine taxpayers’ dollars in support of safe and effective schools that support the demands of 21st century education. Extensive needs for improved education facilities across the State make it imperative that the rules be kept clear, current and supportive of the State’s education goals.  Continue reading “Rule Change Adoption: Chapter 61, Rules for Major Capital School Construction Projects” →

Race to the Top district competition seeks peer reviewers

The U.S. Department of Education has announced a second Race to the Top district grant competition and is looking for qualified individuals to serve as peer reviewers. This competition will build on the success of past Race to the Top competitions and support bold, locally directed improvements in learning and teaching that will directly improve student achievement and educator effectiveness.

Continue reading “Race to the Top district competition seeks peer reviewers” →

County students to benefit from Aroostook Aspirations Initiative

Thanks to the Fiddlehead Focus for sharing this information with the Maine DOE for publication.

AROOSTOOK COUNTY – A first-of-its-kind, County-wide project will provide significant opportunities for young people in the region to pursue their dreams, and, in turn, support higher education institutions and bolster economic development efforts in northern Maine.

Continue reading “County students to benefit from Aroostook Aspirations Initiative” →

State Education Board has new leadership

AUGUSTA – The Maine State Board of Education has new leadership, having elected Nancy S. Perkins as chair and Peter E. Geiger as vice-chair.  

Continue reading “State Education Board has new leadership” →

Forums scheduled on EPS school funding system

The Maine Legislature has contracted with Lawrence O. Picus and Associates to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the EPS school funding system.

As part of that, Picus will be putting on four public stakeholder forums throughout the state on July 16, 17 and 18.  All interested parties – educators, parents, taxpayers and interested citizens – are encouraged to attend one of the forums.

Continue reading “Forums scheduled on EPS school funding system” →

State awards Lewiston’s Montello Elementary $1.8 million for school improvement

The funding from the Maine Department of Education will help transform the struggling school and increase student proficiency, teacher effectiveness and community engagement

LEWISTON – Montello Elementary School will use $1.8 million in new State support to improve student proficiency by double-digit percentages, enhance teacher effectiveness and better engage the community.

The Maine Department of Education announced its award Thursday to the struggling Lewiston school, which joins 10 others across the state – including the Governor James B. Longley School also in Lewiston – that have received significant funding since 2010 through the federal School Improvement Grant program (SIG) to initiate intensive reforms that advance student achievement. 

Continue reading “State awards Lewiston’s Montello Elementary $1.8 million for school improvement” →

Enacted FY2013-14 General Purpose Aid for local schools

After months of deliberations, the biennial budget has been enacted following the 126th Legislature’s override of Governor LePage’s veto yesterday afternoon. Based on this enactment, updated school subsidy printouts (ED279s) are now available at: www.maine.gov/doe/eps/.

Some key factors in enacted funding level to note: Continue reading “Enacted FY2013-14 General Purpose Aid for local schools” →

Legislative budget misses opportunity to support students

AUGUSTA – As Governor Paul R. LePage continues to review the upcoming two-year budget, which was delivered to him late last week, he has discovered a disturbing trend of cuts to education. The budget reflects a slashing by the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee of supports for existing programs proven to prepare Maine youth for success in college and their careers and some innovative new ones.

That committee cut a total of $18.4 million proposed by the Department of Education and Governor LePage, including reducing funding over the next two years for Jobs for Maine’s Graduates by $600,000 and the Aspiration program– which raises education aspirations by allowing students to take college courses at a reduced rate – by $1.2 million.

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DOE committed to helping schools improve

School may be already out, but the Legislature isn’t just yet.

Last week, the Appropriations Committee cut $18.4 million in targeted funding Maine DOE and the Governor had proposed in the next biennial budget that would have supported improvement and innovation in our schools. Included in those cuts was $3 million specifically for school improvement, funding which several districts have already expressed an interest in receiving.

Continue reading “DOE committed to helping schools improve” →