MEDIA RELEASE: Maine DOE and Teens to Trails Partner to Increase Outdoor Opportunities for Maine Teens; Schools Can Apply NOW

Through a new partnership between the Maine Department of Education (DOE) and Teens to Trails, schools serving teens are encouraged to apply for $500-$1500 which includes training and start-up support for school-based outing clubs.

WAVES (Wilderness Activities and Virtual Engagement for Students), a program of the Maine DOE, provides meaningful opportunities for Maine teens to engage socially with peers online or outdoors. Teens to Trails is a Maine organization whose mission is to connect high school students to life-changing outdoor experiences.
“We are thrilled by this partnership,” said WAVES Project Director Sarah Woog. “Teens to Trails is a Maine-based non-profit with proven expertise and passion for getting teens outside! Teens to Trails and WAVES have the shared goal of increasing Maine teens’ engagement with the outdoors. Together, we are excited to leverage our organizations’ resources and work collaboratively with schools to give all Maine students the opportunities they deserve.”

“In 2020, 53% of Americans participated in outdoor recreation, the highest participation rate on record,” said Teens to Trails Director Alicia Heyburn. “Outdoor spaces became places of refuge to safely socialize, improve physical health and connect with friends and family. Schools have an important role to play in continuing this positive trend by redefining the learning environment and using the outdoors to support the social and emotional wellbeing of students. The partnership between Teens to Trails and WAVES means that schools have trusted support to invest in making the outdoors welcoming and accessible to all students.”

Teens to Trails and the Maine DOE are eager to support an outing club at your school. School-based educators, with their administrators’ consent, are welcome to apply on behalf of their school. The application is simple, and the rewards are immense. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the final deadline to apply is September 17.

Eligible schools:

Serve Maine teens;
Have the support of the school principal school administration;
Have school staff/faculty member as club advisor;
Commit to participating in two Teens to Trails programs in the first year;
Are able to demonstrate how funding will increase access to the outdoors for teens who may not otherwise engage.

Schools who receive funding may expect the following support:

Funds may be used for a club advisor stipend;
Access to Teens to Trails Club Hub for tips on running a sustainable club;
Professional Development day for outdoor club advisor(s);
Free summer white water rafting trip for club advisors to network and have fun;
Back-to-school student outdoor club recruitment materials;
Option to join four outdoor weekends with clubs from around the state;
Spring and Fall Trip Lotteries to win pre-planned adventures;
Access to gear to keep students warm and comfortable;
Ongoing support from Teens to Trails staff, including support planning for sustainability.

Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to secure funding and begin planning for YOUR school’s Outing Club! Find more information and apply here.
Please reach out to sarah.woog@maine.gov with any questions or feedback – WAVES and Teens to Trails will be in touch shortly!

Get to know the Maine DOE Team: Meet Barbara Pineau

Maine DOE team member Barbara (Barb) Pineau is being highlighted this week as part of the Get to know the Maine DOE Team Campaign. Learn a little more about Barb in the question and answer below.

What are your roles with DOE?

I am the Special Education Director for the State’s Unorganized Territories. In my position, I work directly with 86 schools that we tuition students to across the State of Maine and 3 “State Schools,” which are our own. I cover the entire state and we encompass 53% of the State! In a non Covid year, I travel to all of these schools to attend IEP Team meetings, averaging about 35,000 miles a school year. There are currently 206 kids from PreK – 12 either in special education or with a 504 plan who live in the Unorganized Territories and my role is to work collaboratively with the school’s staff to ensure each of these kids have appropriate programs while being fiscally responsible to the EUT tax payers. I also am the 504 coordinator, the Homeless Liaison, the Title 1 Coordinator and the Federal Grant Coordinator. I manage programs for all students with 504 plans as well as those who are homeless. I write the grants for ESEA and all COVID related monies.

What do you like best about your job?

I enjoy working with the professionals at the schools in Maine. Each time I visit a school district I feel I come away with new information, at times having left them with new information and always a renewed respect for the role schools are expected to play in the lives of children above and beyond educating them. We have some phenomenal educators in Maine!

How or why did you decide on this career?

I don’t think I decided on a career in Special Education…. It decided on me. My first degree is in Parks and Recreation Management. In the position as a recreation director, I realized how many kids with disabilities were left out of sports and how I could help to change that. From there, I went back to school to get my degree in teaching and became a special education teacher. As a teacher, I felt like I could not always get my point across to the general education population, teachers and students alike. So, I was encouraged by my mentor, Roland Caron, to earn my Masters in Special Education and become a director; which I did. I found it allowed me to not only share information that would support kids with disabilities, but to provide in service opportunities to all staff as to what the best practices were to include them in all areas of their education; academically and functionally. I feel good about that and will always be a child advocate first and foremost.

What do you like to do outside of work for fun?

When I’m not at work you can find me spending time in the woods with my family. I am a Master Maine Recreation Guide since 1989 and guide family trips on the Allagash River. I enjoy canoe camping, fishing, camper camping in Bar Harbor, hiking (I’m actually doing the 100 Mile Wilderness this summer with my daughter Grace), snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and spending every spare moment I have with my grandkids sharing all of my adventures.

Down Syndrome Does Not Hold Back Portland Photographer Caleb Dunlap

Caleb Dunlap was born with down syndrome, but he did not let it get in the way of pursuing his passion for photography. Caleb was enrolled in the Maine Department of Education (DOE) led Child Development Services (CDS) when he was six days old. CDS along with the support of his family and friends enabled Caleb to follow his dreams. Caleb was gifted a camera after his high school graduation which began his passion for taking photos.

One day, a professional photographer looked at Caleb’s photos and remarked that he had a good eye- he could see things other people could not and turn it into a beautiful picture from then on, what began as a hobby turned into a business for Caleb.

Caleb now runs “Good Eye Photography” out of Portland where he hopes to inspire people with his photos. “When I take pictures of a cloud, I feel like a cloud,” Caleb stated in a presentation. He hopes other people can feel the transformative properties of art through his work. Caleb is inspired by the city of Portland and the nature surrounding the city. He aspires to have his work displayed in magazines and museums in the future.

Watch Caleb’s presentation below and view his photography on his website.

This article was written by Maine DOE Intern Clio Bersani as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea email it to Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov

MEDIA RELEASE: Eight Semifinalists Selected for 2022 Teacher of the Year

The Maine Department of Education, in partnership with Educate Maine, is pleased to announce the eight teachers that have been selected as semifinalists for Maine’s 2022 Teacher of the Year program. The semifinalists were selected from the 2021 County Teachers of the Year, who were honored in May in a virtual ceremony.

2022 Teacher of the Year Semifinalists:

Andrew Kirby
Aroostook County
Kirby has been teaching for 13 years and will be teaching science to grades 9-12 at Caribou High School.

“I know Andrew is a teacher that will go above and beyond to work with students that need extra help, he sees when a student understands the material and may just need an alternative route to explain it, and is willing to adjust his classroom to the needs of his students to keep them successful.” – Andrea Hallett, Director of Guidance, Presque Isle High School

Paige Fournier
Cumberland County
Fournier has been teaching for 17 years and currently teaches special education at Freeport Middle School.

“Paige’s influence on our building stretches well beyond the four walls of her classroom. She truly has changed the lives of many kids. She has such a positive impact on our entire school from the life skills classroom.” – Ray Grogan, Principal, Freeport Middle School

Michelle Laliberte
Franklin County
Laliberte has been teaching for 20 years and currently teaches PreK – Kindergarten at Rangeley Lakes Regional School.

“Mrs. Laliberte truly makes learning fun for the kids, teaches teamwork and responsibility to very young kids with regular assigned classroom “jobs,” and involves the students’ families to help ignite the passion for learning both in and outside of the classroom.” – Kathryn Kay, Parent

Patti Forster
Knox County
Forster has been teaching for 29 years and is currently teaching English to grades 9-10 at Camden Hills Regional School.

“Patti brings a huge heart and expert understanding of pedagogy to her work with students. She purposefully works with students who struggle with school or English. She is successful where other teachers have failed. As department head she leads her peers in bringing more social and emotional learning into their program, has developed and implemented a set of tier 2 interventions for students 9-12 who are struggling in English.” – Shawn Carlson, Principal, Camden Hills Regional School

Melissa Guerrette
Oxford County
Guerrette has been teaching for 20 years and currently teaches grade 5 at Oxford Elementary School.

“Melissa Guerrette is a teacher that creates an impact at all levels: at OES, in MSAD #17, in the greater Oxford Hills Community, and in the state of Maine. She exemplifies what it means to be a reflective practitioner and is generous with her time and knowledge of best practices.” – Heather Manchester, Curriculum Director, RSU 17 / MSAD 17

Kelsey Stoyanova
Penobscot County
Stoyanova has been teaching for 7 years and currently teaches grade 8 English Language Arts at Reeds Brook Middle School in Hampden.

“She forms meaningful relationships with her students and creates an environment that is welcoming. Along with that, I feel like I can be challenged in her class to do my best while also developing and working on skills that might be harder for me. We do this by having class discussions, creative projects, and interesting assignments.” – Tessa Castrucci, Student

Hillary Hoyt
Waldo County
Hoyt has been teaching for 7 years and currently teaches grade 3 at Leroy H. Smith School in Winterport.

“Her desire to make sure each child feel like they are important is evident in her ability to individualize for each child, yet set high expectations of citizenship and respect. Her ability to restructure lessons and units to meet student’s interests, with such a diverse classroom, is unique.” – Dawn Moore, Principal, Leroy H. Smith School

Christine Goulet
York County
Goulet has been teaching for 21 years and currently teaches grade 2 at for Biddeford Primary School.

“Christine has been a part of our Tiger community where her passion for teaching and learning has engaged, empowered, and supported all students in her learning environment which is not necessarily determined by the four walls of her classroom. Christine has a positive attitude, a growth mindset, and a strong passion of teaching all learners.” – Mandy Cyr, Director of Instruction, Biddeford School Department

The eight 2022 Teacher of the Year semifinalists will continue in the selection process which consists of a professional portfolio review and an oral presentation, and results in identifying three state finalists. The state finalists will then sit for a final interview and have a school-site visit before one of them is named the 2022 Maine Teacher of the Year.

The Teacher of the Year selection panel is made up of legacy Teachers of the Year, school administrators, Maine DOE staff, members of professional education organizations, and the business community. The 2022 Maine Teacher of the Year will be announced in October.

The Maine Department of Education’s Maine Teacher of the Year program is administered and managed by Educate Maine and supported by both the Maine State Board of Education and the Maine County and State Teacher of the Year Association. Funding for the program is generously provided by Bangor Savings Bank, Dead River, Geiger, Hannaford, Maine Lottery, the Silvernail Family and Unum.

More information about Maine’s Teacher of the Year program, the 2021 County Teachers of the Year, and the 2022 semifinalists can be found on the Maine Teacher of the Year website. For questions and information, please reach out to Program Director Dolly Sullivan at dolly@educatemaine.org or call 631-3385.

Seal of Biliteracy Earned by Maine High School Seniors

The Maine Department of Education congratulates over 220 Maine high school seniors who are this year’s recipients of the Maine Seal of Biliteracy!

The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes student achievement in language learning. Graduating seniors who are proficient in English and at least one additional language may earn the Seal of Biliteracy by demonstrating their skills on an approved assessment (see eligibility criteria). This award elevates the study of languages and provides students an edge for their college applications and professional careers. Students who attend a University of Maine System campus may also earn college credits.

The Seal of Biliteracy distinction for graduating seniors honors students who have studied world languages in school, students who have spoken English and another language at home and in their communities, and students who have learned English at school. Learning another language is an impressive accomplishment, and the Department commends all multilingual students for their efforts.

We would also like to recognize the incredible work of World Languages and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teachers, who support students in their multilingual journeys. Language educators empower students with linguistic and cultural understanding that will be invaluable to them throughout their personal, academic, and professional lives. Teaching students another language goes beyond grammar and vocabulary – it is truly opening a door to another world and enabling students to explore and experience that world through the power of language!

Congratulations to the Class of 2021 Seal of Biliteracy recipients and their teachers! If your school isn’t yet participating in the Seal of Biliteracy and would like further information, please reach out to April Perkins, World Languages & ESOL/Bilingual Programs Specialist, at april.perkins@maine.gov.

2021 Participating Schools include:

Belfast Area High School
Brunswick High School
Camden Hills Regional High School
Cape Elizabeth High School
Caribou High School
Casco Bay High School
Central Aroostook Jr-Sr High School
Cony High School
Deering High School
Edward Little High School
Falmouth High School
Freeport High School
Gorham High School
Gray-New Gloucester High School
Greely High School
Houlton High School
Kennebunk High School
Maranacook Community High School
Morse High School
Mt. Blue High School
Noble High School
North Yarmouth Academy
Orono High School
Portland High School
Scarborough High School
South Portland High School
Westbrook High School
York High School

2021 Seal Recipients’ Languages include English and:

Arabic
Chinese
Filipino
French
German
Icelandic
Italian
Japanese
Kinyarwanda
Lingala
Portuguese
Russian
Somali
Spanish
Turkish

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) Summer Workshops

Instead of a week-long event this summer, Maine Agriculture In The Classroom (MAITC) will be holding three single day, in-person events focusing on Dairy, Aquaculture, and Wild Blueberries.

Each professional development event for PK – Grade 12 educators will offer 7 contact hours or .7 CEU’s (Total possible = 21 contact hours or 2.1 CEU’s)

Each event will start at 8:30 AM and finish at 4:00 PM. A lite breakfast, snack, and lunch will be provided at each training.

Dairy – Thursday, August 12
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

A full day of resources, lessons, and programs surrounding dairy will be provided by MAITC and the Maine Dairy Nutrition Council. In the afternoon participants will visit dairy farms, including the Flood Farm in Clinton, and experience a day in the life of a dairy farmer! Learn about silage, see a milking parlor, and learn much more about our local dairy farms!

A Day of Aquaculture – Thursday, August 19
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Join MAITC for a day of exploring aquaculture at the picturesque Downeast Institute on Beals Island. We will spend the day exploring aquaculture with hands-on activities, hosted by Dr. Anne Langston Noll. In the morning, topics include aquaculture through history, online resources for production, ocean temperatures, salinity, etc. and an introduction to aquaculture globally, in the U.S. and Maine. Later we will tour the Institute’s working shellfish hatchery, and research facilities, including spawning shellfish and (if successful!) observing fertilization and cell division, and data collection for a real-life research project piloting the farming of sea scallops in ME lobster pounds. Last but not least we will explore resources available for teachers through MAITC and our colleagues at 4H and have the opportunity to try out activities included in the 4H teacher “toolkits”. Please bring your own computer or iPad if you are able. WIFI will be available. Venue: Downeast Institute – 39 Wildflower Lane, Beals, ME 04611

Wild Blueberry Emersion – Friday, August 20
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Our day will begin at the Bluebird Ranch Family Restaurant, 78 Main Street in Machias. After a lite breakfast we will join teacher Eric Brooks for exploration of MAITC Wild Blueberry resources and curricula. Representatives from the Wild Blueberry Commission will host an afternoon tour of local farms and barrens to view harvest, culture, and production of Maine’s official berry! Do you know that Maine produces more wild blueberries than anywhere else in the world? Do not miss this opportunity!

Registration Fees & Information

1 Training – $35
2-Trainings – $60
All 3 Trainings – $75

Download registration form to mail a check

Online registration

Limited space – register early! Pre-Registration only – Deadline August 6, 2021. For more detailed information, including options for accommodations please visit: https://me.agclassroom.org/programs/summer/

Maine Agriculture in the Classroom (MAITC) is a grassroots program coordinated by the United States Department of Agriculture, and housed at the Maine Department of Agriculture. Our goal is to help students gain a greater awareness of the role of agriculture in the economy and society so that they will become citizens who support wise agricultural policies and local agriculture endeavors.

For more information visit https://me.agclassroom.org/ or contact MAITC at (207) 287-5522 or maitca@maine.gov

St. George School Second Grade Students Create Poster Campaign for Local Community

Second-grade students at St. George School in Tenants Harbor spent the spring working on a collaborative research project examining the process of pollination and the need for pollinators to create a healthy environment. The six-week-long project, led by their teacher Alison Babb, 2020 Knox County Teacher of the Year and 2021 Teacher of the Year Finalist, culminated in scientific drawings about various pollinators they had spent time learning about.

Before starting on the drawings, the students practiced their research, reading, and writing skills to create the strongest final product. The students collaborated on reading intricate scientific texts and gathered information on the various plants they were studying. After conducting thorough research on pollinators, the students began creating scientific drawings of the plants. Throughout the drawing process, the students were consistently giving and receiving feedback, enabling them to create the strongest final project possible.

Once completed, the students were not yet satisfied- they wanted to create a poster that would go beyond their classroom for their local communities to both showcase their pollinator drawings and to display some public service messaging regarding pollinators. The second-grade students demonstrated strong collaboration skills and thorough knowledge, and passion for their environments throughout this project.

Readers are encouraged to go to the Jackson Memorial Library in Tenants Harbor and the Camden Public Library to view the posters in person. Knox Village Soup will also be featuring the poster in their late June to early July edition.

Information for this article was provided by St. George School. The article was written by Maine Department of Education Intern Clio Bersani as part of the Maine Schools Sharing Success Campaign. To submit a story or an idea, email it to Rachel at rachel.paling@maine.gov.

Free Digital Learning and Computer Science Summer Professional Learning for Educators!

In addition to the many professional learning opportunities hosted by the Maine Department of Education (DOE) this summer, the Office of Innovation is offering an array of digital learning and computer science professional learning opportunities.

Topics include remote learning, green screen creation, digital worksheets, innovative ways to use memes, gifs, and emojis, and sessions on digital learning for students at different grade levels including elementary, middle, and high school level.

Find details about each of these sessions, in the order that they are offered, in the list below. You can also find them on the Maine DOE Professional Development Calendar, where many other professional learning opportunities and events are also available in a calendar view.

Digital Learning and Computer Science Summer Professional Learning:

June 2021

Date/Time: June 29th, 2021, 10am.

Topic: Rethinking Remote Learning

Description: As we emerge from the cloud of remote learning due to necessity, let’s explore what worked and what didn’t. We’ll share best practices for remote learning as well as dig into innovative ways to rethink how remote learning can be done.

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov

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Date/Time: Asynchronous. Available on June 29th, 2021.

Topic: Green Screen Creation

Description: Green screen technology may seem intimidating at first, but the basics are fairly simple and allow for tremendous creativity. While having a professional green screen is helpful, teachers have been “hacking” this technology for years with green clothing, green tents, puppets on green sticks, green screen boxes and even green playdough. Teachers can transport themselves anywhere and students’ imaginative play can go to a new level.

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov

July 2021 

Date/Time: July 6th, 2021, 10am.

Topic: Decoding Coding: Integrating Computer Science in the Elementary Classroom

Description: Computer science can often feel like “yet another thing” that needs to “fit” in with all of the other learning requirements that teachers need to ensure are covered within a given year, Join this session to learn about strategies and best practices to integrate computer science skills, topics, and core competencies into your elementary classroom.

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov

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Date/Time: July 13th, 2021, 11am.

Topic: Memes, Gifs, and Emojis!

Description: In this session, we will explore innovative ways to use memes, gifs, and emojis to enhance connection in remote and hybrid environments and increase general student engagement. We will also look at some best practices to get students excited about digital communication.

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov

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Date/Time: July 20th, 11am.

Topic: Digital Worksheets

Description: Teachers can leverage several popular tools (Seesaw, Book Creator, Google Slides, etc.) to create engaging and personalized digital worksheets. They can work off of pre-existing worksheets or generate their own. The process of addressing interactivity, including various media, and allowing for multiple ways of demonstrating learning is challenging, but the final products can be transformative.

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov

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Date/Time: July 27th, 2021, 10am.

Topic: Decoding Coding: Integrating Computer Science in the Middle School Classroom

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov

August 2021

Date/Time: Asynchronous. Available on August 10th, 2021.

Topic: Book Creator in the Elementary Classroom

Description: Due to the openness and user-friendly design of Book Creator, it could easily be leveraged in multiple ways. First, a teacher could use it to create content with rich multimedia elements (pictures, videos, audio, diagrams, etc.). Second, the teacher could work with the class to create a “class book” filled with content from everyone. Third, the teacher could create an interactive workbook that students are able to manipulate and add their own answers. Lastly, students could create digital books with their own content.

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov

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Date/Time: August 17th, 2021, 10am.

Topic: Decoding Coding: Integrating Computer Science in the High School Classroom

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov

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Date/Time: August 24th, 2021, 10am.

Topic: Strategies for Hybrid Learning

Description: Join MDOE digital learning specialists for a session on strategies for hybrid learning. As teachers continue to adapt their teaching practices to meet the changing classroom environment, we’ve seen some great strategies to accommodate hybrid learning environments. In this session, we will discuss different models for hybrid learning and dig into some best practices, with a deep dive into strategies. 

Register Here

Contact: For more information contact Emma-Marie Banks emma-marie.banks@maine.gov or Jonathan Graham jonathan.m.graham@maine.gov

Changes to Maine DOE’s ESEA Program Office Effective July 1, 2021

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Program Office within the Maine Department of Education (DOE) has recently undergone reorganization that will take effect on July 1, 2021. The Department’s ESEA Team takes a collaborative approach to the oversight of the various educational programs under the ESEA. As part of this collaborative approach, individuals within the ESEA Program Office serve as primary school administrative unit (SAU) contacts for different parts of the state. Each ESEA Program Officer will continue to assist SAUs within each of the nine (9) superintendent regions with work related to ESEA programs.

Please review and note the updated regional ESEA contacts within the Maine DOE. School administrative units located in each of the following superintendent regions can contact the following individuals for support with their ESEA program work as of July 1, 2021:

Superintendent Region	ESEA Program Manager	Phone	Email
Region 1 – Aroostook	Jessica Caron	(207) 458-0334	jessica.s.caron@maine.gov
Region 2 – Penquis	Travis Doughty	(207) 624-6709	travis.w.doughty@maine.gov
Region 3 – Washington	Ryan Reed	(207) 530-2129	ryan.reed@maine.gov
Region 4 – Hancock	Daniel Weeks	(207) 624-6749	daniel.r.weeks@maine.gov
Region 5 – Mid Coast	Ryan Reed	(207) 530-2129	ryan.reed@maine.gov
Region 6 – Western	Jackie Godbout	(207) 557-3746	jackie.godbout@maine.gov
Region 7 – Cumberland	Daniel Weeks	(207) 624-6749	daniel.r.weeks@maine.gov
Region 8 – Kennebec	Jessica Caron	(207) 458-0334	jessica.s.caron@maine.gov
Region 9 – York	Travis Doughty	(207) 624-6709	travis.w.doughty@maine.gov

For SAUs that (1) may not know which superintendent region they belong to or (2) would simply like to confirm who to contact, please visit the ESEA Program Office’s regional contact map at: https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/esea/contact. Individuals can select a particular SAU from the drop-down menu on this page to determine who their ESEA Program Manager is and how to contact them.

For more information on the Department’s ESEA Federal Program Office, please contact ESEA Federal Programs Director, Cheryl Lang, at cheryl.lang@maine.gov or (207) 441-8059.

Governor Mills Signs Bill Focused on Increasing Cash Flow for School Administrative Units

Public Law 2021, Chapter 213, An Act Authorizing an Increase to the Maximum Annual Fund Balance for Public School Districts was signed by Governor Mills on June 15, 2021. This law will become effective 90 days after the end of the session, and will not impact the fiscal year 2020-21. This legislation updated the law to say:

“Notwithstanding any other law, general operating fund balances at the end of a school administrative unit’s fiscal year must be carried forward to meet the unit’s needs in the next year or over a period not to exceed 3 years. Unallocated balances in excess of 5% of the previous fiscal year’s school budget must be used to reduce the state and local share of the total allocation for the purpose of computing state subsidy. School boards may carry forward unallocated balances in excess of 5% of the previous year’s school budget and disburse these funds in the next year or over a period not to exceed 3 years”

Please note the increase from 3% to 5%.

This law also provides that for fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25, the unallocated balances in excess of 9% may be carried over for the same use.

The benefit of this law is that it allows Maine’s SAUs to retain more funds on hand to buffer any unexpected financial needs. While the current statute does provide a mechanism to expand reserve funds in an emergency situation, this increase to the annual fund balance provides Maine’s SAUs the ability to access cash resources without incurring costs of fund borrowing, should an emergency arise.

The Maine Department of Education fully supported this bill, as it helps Maine SAUs effectively address recent or future financial needs.

For more information on Maine’s school funding, please visit:

https://www.maine.gov/doe/funding