PRIORITY NOTICE: Opportunity for Public Feedback – Later Start Time Planning Grants

In accordance with Resolve 2025, Chapter 110: Directing the Department of Education to Develop a Grant Program to Encourage Secondary Schools to Adopt Later Start Times, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) is opening a period of public comment for the proposed routine technical rule regarding later start time planning grants. The proposed rule (Chapter 54) will govern the application for, and awarding of, funds from the Maine DOE discretionary grants for later start time planning. Grants are intended to assist in the financing of local initiatives; the Maine DOE encourages school administrative units (SAUs) to collaborate on these efforts.

For more information about this proposed rule, please visit Chapter 54 on Maine DOE | Proposed Rules and the Rulemaking Process.

Public comment officially opens on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Comments must be submitted to Laura Cyr at laura.cyr@maine.gov by February 27, 2026.

For more information or with questions, please contact laura.cyr@maine.gov.

Community Schools Grant Opportunity

Pursuant to Title 20-A, §15689-A, the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Education (DOE) may provide funding to school administrative units (SAUs) to support the establishment of community school(s). As such, the Maine DOE is currently accepting applications for funding from SAUs whose school boards have designated an existing school or established a new school as a community school.

Eligible SAUs interested in this grant opportunity may access the Request for Applications (RFA) via the State of Maine’s Vendor Self Service (VSS) system where they should submit their applications and any questions. (Please see the priority notice issued on January 9, 2026, for more information and training materials related to VSS.) The Maine DOE strongly suggests that SAUs ensure that they are able to log into VSS ahead of the RFA due date.

The timeline for this RFA process is as follows:

January 20, 2026 – virtual informational session at 3 p.m. (details below)
January 27, 2026 – RFA questions must be submitted via VSS by 4 p.m.
February 12, 2026 – RFA applications must be submitted via VSS by 4 p.m.

To learn more about community schools and this grant opportunity, potential applicants are encouraged to attend the virtual informational session on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 3 p.m. Please use this link to join. Registration is not required in advance.

Additional information about community schools can be found on the Maine DOE Community Schools webpage. Again, all questions about this RFA should please be submitted through VSS.

PRIORITY NOTICE: Additional 30-Day Comment Period for Revised Master Contractual Agreements for Private Schools Offering Special Education Programs

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is providing a second 30-day comment period regarding master contractual agreements for private schools offering special education programs. During the first comment period in October 2025, many of you outlined similar observations, suggestions, and concerns. The Maine DOE used that feedback (posted here) to significantly revise the master contractual agreement.

Please note some of the resulting changes to the updated master contractual agreement, summarized in the table below:

Original Section	Revised Section	Comment	Resulting Change
General		Commenters recommended having two master contractual agreements, distinguishing between school types: special purpose private schools and private schools approved for the receipt of public funds for tuition purposes.	The Maine DOE agrees and proposes two master contractual agreements: one for special purpose private schools and one for private schools approved for the receipt of public funds for tuition purposes.
1. Services Provided	Omitted	Commenters felt the list of services was incomplete, and it was unclear whether a private school was expected to provide all of the services listed.	This section was eliminated, and the list of services was removed. The intent of this section was to ensure that students placed in private schools receive all of the services in their IEPs. To that end, a requirement was added in Section 2(d) that the placing SAU and the private school agree in writing which entity will be responsible for providing each of the services on the student’s IEP.
2. Education Settings	1. Education Settings	Some commenters questioned whether this section is necessary.	The purpose of this section is to ensure that the private school offers the setting described in the student’s IEP as the least restrictive environment. The Maine DOE has moved the last line regarding transition to less restrictive environments to the new Section 2(c) since it refers to a policy.
3. Admissions	2. Admissions and Placement	Commenters noted that the standards for removal of students from a private school or program are very high. The Maine DOE should consider using the Massachusetts model.	This section is mostly new and is taken from the Massachusetts regulations, as recommended by several commenters. The Maine DOE believes that the sharing of this information between the private school, the placing SAU, and the parent at the beginning of the relationship sets the stage for successful collaboration.
7. Relationship to the Placing SAUs	4. Single Point of Contact	Some commenters were concerned that one person would not have the breadth of knowledge to respond effectively.	The Maine DOE has clarified this section to include “designee(s)” but continues to believe that there must be a named individual at the private school and the placing SAU who is ultimately responsible for the placement.
4. Provision of Services	5. Provision of Services	Some commenters questioned whether this section is necessary.	This language tracks requirements in MUSER and includes a straightforward statement of the obligation of the private school to implement the IEP.
5. Attendance	6. Attendance	Some commenters questioned whether this section is necessary.	The Maine DOE believes that it is necessary to maintain attendance data—particularly data involving removal from a student’s educational program, as federal and state special education law require action by the placing SAU after removals (including cumulative removals) of 10 school days.
6. Removal or Discharge	7. Removal or Discharge	This section attracted the most comment. Commenters did not agree with the Maine DOE’s initial proposal of tying the private school to the placing SAU because of concerns that the two entities would not agree, and it would be difficult to have a proceeding where a party was asked to present the position of another party with whom it disagreed. Many commenters suggested that the Maine DOE adopt the structure in the Massachusetts regulations that provides for both routine and emergency terminations with specific timeframes and obligations.	The Maine DOE agrees and is adopting the Massachusetts provisions for terminations.
8. Monitoring and Enforcement	8. Monitoring and Enforcement	Commenters reported that the language was confusing and/or potentially conflicted with MUSER or current practice.	The Maine DOE made some minor changes and removed the piece about monitoring, which commenters suggested was either confusing or potentially conflicted with MUSER or current practice.

Before finalizing the master contractual agreements, the Maine DOE is providing this additional 30-day comment period from January 10 until February 10, 2026. Interested parties are encouraged to provide feedback, which will be used when finalizing the master contractual agreements—to be issued by March 1, 2026.

Please find the revised master contractual agreements for comment below:

You may provide comments using this form. Questions may be directed to Laura Cyr at Laura.Cyr@maine.gov.

PRIORITY NOTICE: Guidance for Submitting Competitive Grant Applications Using Vendor Self Service

The State of Maine now uses Vendor Self Service (VSS) for all competitive procurement. As such, Maine school administrative units (SAUs) are asked to please use VSS to submit applications for and questions about all competitive grant opportunities (also known as Requests for Applications—RFAs). If an applicant emails a question about an RFA directly to the listed RFA coordinator, their application will not be disqualified; however, they will be redirected to submit their question through VSS.

Please also note that the cutoff time for submitting applications has changed; applications must now be submitted through VSS by 4 p.m. (no longer by midnight).

The Maine DOE recommends that SAUs intending to apply for any future RFAs follow the below steps:

Ensure that you can log into the VSS system. You may register for an account here. (Training videos and user manuals are located at the bottom of that page.) For help resetting your password or obtaining login information, contact the VSS Help Desk at VSS.helpdesk@maine.gov or 207-624-7889.
Verify that your payment and procurement addresses are correct in VSS under the Addresses & Contracts page. Remember to notify gpa.doe@maine.gov any time that an address is changed to avoid any additional delay in payment.

Please note the following, as well:

Intent to Apply for an RFA, if applicable, should continue to be emailed to the coordinator listed on the RFA.
Applications for formula grants (e.g., Title funding, IDEA, etc.) should continue to be submitted in Grants4ME.
The Maine DOE Newsroom will continue to host any notifications about competitive grant opportunities.

With questions or for additional information, please visit the VSS webpage or contact the Maine Office of State Procurement Services at 207-624-7340.

Maine DOE Child Nutrition Programs Unaffected by SNAP

In anticipation of questions from the field, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) would like to assure school administrators that Child Nutrition Programs will continue to operate as usual. While the U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified states that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be issued for November, this does not affect school meal programs. Child Nutrition Programs and SNAP are administered separately, and school meal operations will not be affected by changes to federal SNAP benefits.

Additionally, the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) At-Risk Afterschool Program will continue for those Maine schools currently enrolled. Existing program rules remain in effect; meals must be consumed on-site and in a congregate setting to ensure that students receive the full benefit of these services.

The Maine DOE has advised local Child Nutrition Directors to anticipate a potential increase in participation in school breakfast and lunch and the CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Program following the expected changes to SNAP benefits.

School administrators may utilize this customizable Community (Food) Resources Template when responding to families who may be experiencing gaps in nutrition assistance, due to the ongoing federal shutdown. For families seeking additional food support, please consider sharing The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Map, organized by county, from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry. In addition, 211Maine.org contains information about other available resources.

With questions, please contact Jane McLucas, Maine DOE Director of Child Nutrition, at jane.mclucas@maine.gov.

Thank you for your continued support in ensuring that all Maine students have access to nutritious meals every school day.

30-Day Comment Period for Master Contractual Agreement for Private Schools Offering Special Education Programs

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that requires that state educational agencies (SEAs), including the Maine Department of Education (DOE), and local educational agencies (LEAs), including school administrative units (SAUs), ensure that all of the rights and protections are given to students with disabilities who are placed by their SAUs in a private school to receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). When placing a child in a private school, the SAU must ensure that the student has the same rights and procedural safeguards as a child served by a public agency or school.

For years, private schools across Maine have been partnering with SAUs to ensure that students with disabilities have their services carried out in these private schools. While this is often the case, the Maine DOE has become aware of instances when SAUs have placed students in private schools to receive their special education services, only to have the private schools discharge them from these educational placements outside of the individual education program (IEP) team process.

Changing a student’s educational program or placement outside of the IEP team process is a violation of the procedural safeguards, which are a part of the IDEA. Parents who have sought to challenge the change of placement through due process have been unable to obtain legal recourse because private schools cannot be parties to a due process hearing and are not subject to a corrective action plan at the conclusion of a state complaint investigation. At the same time, private schools that have safety concerns about maintaining placements lack an administrative avenue to have their concerns heard.

Maine law requires that private schools seeking to provide special education programs enter into a master contractual agreement with the commissioner (20-A M.R.S. 7252-A). Since the Maine DOE is responsible for ensuring that all SAUs are compliant with the IDEA, the Maine DOE has drafted a master contractual agreement between the Maine DOE and private schools offering special education services to children with IEPs. This draft agreement articulates responsibilities and outlines the procedures that private schools and SAUs will follow when a SAU places a student who has an IEP in a private school.

Before finalizing the master agreement, the Maine DOE is interested in receiving feedback and comments from all stakeholders. There will be a 30-day comment period from October 15 until November 15 when stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft master agreement. This feedback will be used when finalizing the master contractual agreement, which will be issued in early January 2026.

The draft of the master contractual agreement can be found here. Comments can be provided using this form. Please direct questions to Laura Cyr at Laura.Cyr@maine.gov. This information can also be found on the Maine DOE website.

Collecting Student Economic Status Data for Essential Programs and Services Funding

Recognizing that school administrative units (SAUs) are in the midst of the fall data collection season, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) would like to clarify requirements related to the collection of student economic status data for the October 1 student enrollment report.

The calculation of state public school funding through the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) model requires an annual collection of student economic status data. This data is collected using one or more of the following sources:

Direct certification counts from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), as of October 1
Free/Reduced-Price Meal Application Form
Alternate Economic Status Form (only for purposes of calculating EPS subsidy)

SAUs participating in Special Provision programs, including the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and Special Provision II (SPII) are encouraged to use the Alternate Economic Status Form to collect student economic status data for EPS funding purposes.

All superintendents must certify the October 1 student enrollment report by October 30, 2025. Please be sure to collect student economic status data before that deadline. This data may be collected using either a hard copy or an online form. It must be entered into the SAU’s Student Information System for each student and retained for up to 10 years.

Additional resources include:

If you have questions about or need technical assistance with the Alternate Economic Status Form, please contact Charlotte Ellis at charlotte.ellis@maine.gov. All other questions related to CEP and SPII should be directed to David Hartley at david.hartley@maine.gov. For general questions regarding student data collection, please contact the Maine Education Data Management Support (MEDMS) Support Team at 207-624-6896 or medms.support@maine.gov.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important requirement, which directly impacts state public school funding calculations.

Informational Session on the Maine School Bus Purchasing Program

The Maine School Bus Purchasing Program provides subsidies to school administrative units (SAUs) to help offset the cost of purchasing new school buses used to transport students to and from school, home, and school-sponsored events. This program is designed to support SAUs in acquiring new buses, retiring end-of-life vehicles, and meeting emergency or special transportation needs.

The Maine School Bus Purchasing Program will open on November 1, 2025, and close on November 25, 2025. Before then, please consider joining Cheryl Brackett, Maine Department of Education (DOE) Transportation Coordinator; Donna Tiner, Maine DOE School Finance Coordinator; and Kimberly Hall, Maine DOE Education Data Systems Manager, for a Maine School Bus Purchasing Program informational session on October 15, 2025, from 1-2 p.m. via Zoom:

Cheryl will demonstrate how to access NEO and complete the bus purchase request. She will also review the steps in the program.
Donna will share details about funding.
Kimberly will provide information surrounding the role of the Maine Education Data Management Systems (MEDMS).

This hour-long session will conclude with a question-and-answer period. Please find the Zoom information below:

Join the Zoom meeting here.
Meeting ID: 817 3352 7683
Passcode: 57493859

The first round of approvals for the Maine School Bus Purchasing Program will occur between December 30, 2025, and January 15, 2026. With questions, please contact Cheryl Brackett at cheryl.brackett@maine.gov or 207-446-3019.

Public Comment Period for Proposed Rule Chapter 115 – The Credentialing of Education Personnel

In response to the 131st and 132nd Maine Legislature, the Maine State Board of Education is engaging in rulemaking to revise Chapter 115: The Credentialing of Education Personnel in alignment with its 2023 report to the Legislature. In that report, the State Board reviewed a number of credentialing topics, including pathways for specific endorsements.

As required by law, a period of public comment opened on September 24, 2025, and will continue through October 25, 2025. Written comments may be submitted to Maine DOE Legislative Team member Laura Cyr at laura.cyr@maine.gov, 207-446-8791, or State House Station #23, Augusta, Maine 04333 until 5 p.m. on October 25.

Additionally, a public hearing for the proposed new rule will be held in person and virtually on October 15, 2025, from 3-5 p.m. at the Burton M. Cross Office Building (111 Sewall Street Room 103, Augusta, Maine 04333). As space will be limited, participants are encouraged to attend virtually via Zoom, using the following link:

Join the Zoom Meeting here.
Meeting ID: 879 4623 6101
Passcode: 47786916

With questions, please contact Laura Cyr at laura.cyr@maine.gov or 207-446-8791.

Summary of Proposed Changes to Chapter 115 Part I
The updates to Chapter 115 Part I refine definitions, expand credentialing pathways, and adjust requirements for educational technicians, conditional certificates, and emergency credentials. The revisions aim to enhance flexibility in staffing, while maintaining high-quality standards and compliance. Key changes include:

Definitions and General Requirements

Updated and clarified definitions for credential, clearance, conditional certificate, endorsement, lapsed credential, employed, contracted service provider, and others
Renewal “lapsed” grace period extended from six months to twelve months
More precise requirements stipulate that all individuals must hold the appropriate credential on the first day of service; school administrative units (SAUs) must verify credentials annually.

Out-of-State and Out-of-Country Certification

Streamlined process for accepting equivalent certificates from other states or countries
Requires official transcripts for international coursework and a course-by-course analysis from an approved evaluator
Certificates issued under reciprocity are valid for five years and renewable in accordance with Maine’s requirements.

Educational Technician Certificates

Reorganized into Ed Tech I, II, III, and Emergency Ed Tech categories with clearer permitted responsibilities and supervision levels. Eligibility updates include:
- Ed Tech I: high school diploma/GED
- Ed Tech II: reduced requirement from 60 credits to 48 credits or two years of CTE employment
- Ed Tech III: may qualify with 90 semester hours or an approved Maine training program, such as community college “learning facilitator” programs
- Emergency Ed Tech: must complete a state-approved program targeting essential skills
Certificates are valid for five years; renewal requires three semester hours of approved study/in-service training per term.

Conditional Certificates

Still valid for three years, non-renewable
SAUs must provide intensive supervision and mentoring for conditionally certified teachers and specialists.
Provision for issuing additional conditional certificates in shortage areas, if the applicant documents English is not their first language

Emergency Teacher Certificate

May be issued only to fill a staffing shortage.
Eligibility expanded to include:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
- Enrollment in an educator preparation program
- Ed Tech III certification (excluding Emergency Ed Tech III)
Holders must participate in a mentoring program.
Term limited to one year, renewable up to three times total

Clearance Certificates

Required for all non-certified staff in schools or Child Development Services (CDS) sites
Valid for five years from the date of application; renewable with proof of service and CHRC completion
These updates emphasize greater flexibility in staffing, particularly for Ed Techs and conditional/emergency certifications, while reinforcing oversight, renewal, and mentoring obligations for SAUs and the Maine DOE.

Summary of Proposed Changes to Maine Chapter 115 Part II
This document contains extensive revisions to teacher and administrator certification requirements. Key changes include:

General Changes across Multiple Endorsements

Addition of Portfolio Pathway: A new “Endorsement Eligibility Pathway 3” has been added to most teaching endorsements, allowing candidates to earn certification through an approved portfolio process with superintendent and department approval.
Revised Language: “Graduated from” changed to “Successful completion of” throughout the document for consistency
Reduced Conditional Certificate Requirements: Many conditional certificate requirements have been reduced (e.g., from 24 to 18 semester hours for secondary teachers, from 24 to 15 semester hours for ESOL teachers).

Specific Endorsement Changes
Early Elementary and Elementary Teachers (029, 020)

Added portfolio pathway option
Restructured conditional certificate requirements to include portfolio option

Middle Level Teachers (1.3)

Added world languages to the endorsement areas covered (grades 5-8)
Added specific teaching methods and coursework requirements
Included language proficiency testing options (ACTFL, STAMP, ASLPI)

Secondary Teachers (1.4)

Reduced the conditional certificate requirement from 24 to 18 semester hours
Added portfolio pathway

Pre-K through Grade 12 Teachers (1.5)

Expanded from 2 to 4-6 pathways, depending on endorsement
Added specific pathway for endorsement 700 (industrial arts/technology education), including apprenticeship and experience requirements
Added detailed pathway for endorsement 510 (physical education) with specific coursework requirements
Reduced the conditional certificate requirement from 24 to 18 semester hours

Special Education (Section 2)

New Endorsement 283: Provider of Early Intervention/Teacher of Children with Disabilities, Birth to Age 5
Revised grade span of 282: Birth through grade 12
Added portfolio pathway options
Modified grade span renewal option, allowing current 282 holders to renew in birth-grade 12 span

ESOL Teachers (1.8)

Added fifth pathway option
Reduced the conditional certificate requirement from 24 to 15 semester hours
Allowed alternative credit options (CEUs, in-service hours, workshops)

Library Media Specialist (1.11)

Removed competency demonstration requirement reference
Streamlined pathways and requirements

School Counselor (1.12)

Added detailed CACREP standards alignment requirements
Specified coursework in three areas: Foundations, Contextual Dimensions, and Practice of School Counseling

Athletic Director (1.14)

Added second pathway option
Added detailed coursework requirements covering legal issues, student athlete wellness, and diversity
Restructured renewal requirements

Career and Technical Education (Section 3)

New Endorsement 095: Career Development Coordinator in CTE
New Endorsement 096: Student Services Coordinator in CTE
Added sixth transitional pathway for those holding current CTE certificates seeking additional endorsements
Reduced professional certification requirements from 12 to nine semester hours

Administrator Certificates (Section 4)

Changed terminology from “Certificate” to “Endorsement” throughout Section 4
Added references to the Student Services Coordinator in CTE role across multiple certificates
Maintained PSEL (Professional Standards for Educational Leaders) alignment requirements
Clarified internship/practicum requirements with three options: approved program, one year employment, or mentorship plan

These changes generally aim to provide more flexible pathways to certification, while maintaining quality standards—with particular emphasis on portfolio options, CTE positions, and special education specializations.

Clarification Surrounding LD 384, “An Act to Prevent Student Homelessness”

During the first session of the 132nd Maine Legislature, Public Law 2025, Chapter 453 was passed, taking effect on September 24, 2025. It is effectively a continuation of the Preventing Student Homelessness Pilot Program that the Maine Department of Education (DOE) implemented over the past two years.

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and FY25, this program was funded at $1.5 million per year. The funding approved for FY26 totals $125,000. Due to this significant reduction of funding, the Maine DOE is reassessing its allocation method and will communicate with school administrative units (SAUs) when and how this limited funding will be available.

An Update on the Closeout of the State-Funded Preventing Student Homelessness Pilot Program

Effective July 1, 2023, the Preventing Student Homelessness Pilot Program funding was distributed to all SAUs based on the number of students experiencing homelessness reported in the Student Information System, with each SAU receiving a minimum of $750. SAUs had the option to accept the allocated funds on Grants4ME or opt out of receiving these dollars.

The Maine DOE consolidated the funds that were not expended in FY24 and funds that were declined by SAUs in FY25 to offer a July 2025 reallocation to participating SAUs to be utilized during the 2025-2026 school year. This reallocation amount is available within the FY25 Preventing Student Homelessness Funding Application on Grants4ME.

Allowable uses of Preventing Student Homelessness funds include:

CHR – Critical Home Repairs
RAH – Rental Assistance or Housing
U – Utilities
O – Other McKinney-Vento Allowable Uses (any expense authorized under the federal McKinney-Vento Education of Homeless Children and Youth Program)

With the July reallocation of funds within the FY25 funding application, the Maine DOE has adjusted the obligation and final invoice timeline for the FY25 Preventing Student Homelessness funding to allow additional time for the drawdown of funds to assist students. Authorized expenses must fall between July 1, 2024 and March 31, 2026, with final invoices due by May 1, 2026.

Please direct any questions related to Preventing Student Homelessness to Signe Lynch, Maine DOE McKinney-Vento Specialist, at signe.lynch@maine.gov.

Thank you for your continued support in providing school stability for students experiencing housing instability.