The United States Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released the K-12 Cybersecurity Foundations Resource Package, a comprehensive collection of guides, videos, and supplemental materials to help schools and districts prevent, mitigate, and respond to prevalent cyber threats. Based on current cybersecurity frameworks, these new resources outline cost-effective, actionable, and customizable steps that school and district leaders and staff can take to develop and maintain effective cybersecurity programs.
Cyber threats are a significant and growing risk for school communities. These incidents can disrupt learning and operations, compromise student privacy and safety, and expend valuable resources. The CISA’s new resource package was developed in direct response to these needs and helps schools and districts better understand cyber risks, make informed decisions, and implement cybersecurity best practices.
The K-12 Cybersecurity Foundations Resource Package includes resources tailored for both leaders and non-technical school staff (the Getting Started Guide) as well as school and district cybersecurity and IT professionals (the more detailed Implementation Guide). It also includes a six-part video series and quick reference materials.
The guides outline essential cybersecurity practices organized around eight key objectives:
Protecting login credentials
Safeguarding devices and assets
Testing backups
Strengthening incident response capabilities
Improving cybersecurity training
Enacting policies to appropriately manage sensitive data
Aligning investments with recognized cybersecurity frameworks
In recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the Maine School Superintendents Association (MSSA), the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), the Maine Department of Education (DOE), and NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Maine have collaborated to provide a webinar, “Preparation Saves Lives – Strengthening Your School’s Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Protocols,” scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 9-10 a.m. This webinar is intended for school leaders, including superintendents, principals, and members of comprehensive health and safety planning teams (sometimes referred to as crisis management teams).
Recognizing that many school leaders have had to navigate leadership following crises—particularly those involving the death of a student due to suicide—this webinar will provide the tools needed for summer reflection and planning for suicide prevention, response, and recovery. Mary Gagnon, Senior Director of Prevention and Workplace Well-Being for NAMI Maine, will share her experiences over the past two years in supporting school administrative units (SAUs) with this work. She will provide resources and lessons learned to help school leaders prepare for and respond to crises, including the death of a student or other school community member following a suicide.
The following tools will be shared with participants throughout this webinar:
A checklist to help participants review their school’s suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention protocols, ensuring alignment with national best practices
Sample protocols for suicide prevention, intervention, or postvention, which participants are welcome to use within their SAU
A sample calendar with month-by-month suggestions for how suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention can be sustained
Those interested in attending may register for the webinar here.
In a show of support for those living with mental illness, and in an effort to fight stigma, the planning team from MSSA, Maine CDC, Maine DOE, and NAMI Maine, will wear green in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month. Please consider participating.
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) is partnering with the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC) to bring free incident response training to Maine schools.
“Crisis Management for School-Based Incidents: Partnering Rural Law Enforcement, First Responders, and Local School Systems” is an eight-hour Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) certified course that is designed to educate rural law enforcement personnel as well as school administrators and staff on the elements that would allow for an effective response to school-based emergencies. This course covers how affected parties collaborate on planning, preparing, communicating, responding, and recovering from a school-based incident.
The course will be offered three times in different locations across Maine. Registration is required through the RDPC website; links are provided below. Please register by midnight on the registration deadline listed for each course. Each in-person course runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please note: A FEMA student identification number is required for registration of these courses. You may register for your FEMA student identification number by visiting the FEMA website.
From March 9-11, 2026, school safety and transportation professionals from across Maine gathered at the Samoset Resort in Rockport for the annual Maine School Safety and Transportation Conference, hosted by the Maine Department of Education’s (DOE) Maine School Safety Center (MSSC).
The three-day event brought together school administrators, transportation directors, school resource officers, and law enforcement partners to strengthen coordination, improve emergency preparedness, and enhance school safety practices statewide.
The conference began on the evening of March 9 with a welcome reception and dinner, followed by two days of training sessions, keynote presentations, and collaborative discussions focused on keeping Maine’s students and school communities safe.
The first full day of the conference opened with keynote speaker John-Michael Keyes of the “I Love U Guys” Foundation. Keyes and his wife, Ellen, founded the organization in 2006 following a school shooting at Platte Canyon High School in Colorado that took the life of their daughter. The foundation is dedicated to advancing school safety, preparedness, and family reunification protocols, and its work is led and supported by survivors, family members, first responders, and community members.
During his opening keynote, Keyes shared a powerful presentation reflecting on the events at Platte Canyon High School. The session explored the interactions between hostage negotiator Stacy Avila and a 16-year-old student held hostage during the incident. Through the perspectives of both a negotiator and a victim’s father, the presentation offered an emotional and compelling look at the lasting impacts of crisis events and the importance of preparation, communication, and coordinated response.
On the second day of the conference, Keyes returned to present on the Standard Reunification Method (SRM), a widely used framework designed to help schools safely reunite students with their families following an emergency.
In addition to listening to keynote sessions, attendees participated in a wide variety of concurrent sessions designed to address emerging safety challenges and best practices in school and transportation safety.
Topics included:
Child harness systems and seatbelt recommendations for school buses.
Anti-pinch technology and other transportation safety innovations.
Managing incident response through Incident Command (IC) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) coordination.
Responding to and investigating bomb threats and swatting hoaxes.
Current drug trends and safety precautions.
Online juvenile exploitation and digital safety risks.
Behavioral threat assessment and targeted violence prevention.
Psychological first aid and verbal de-escalation techniques.
Restorative practices and cross-departmental approaches to addressing student behavior.
National Weather Service resources for school safety.
School safety in the digital age.
Officer Katherine Dyment, school resource officer (SRO) at Hampden Academy, and Mrs. Brittany Russell, Director of Health, Wellness, and Safety at RSU 22 in Hampden, presented at a session, sharing insights from a full-scale active shooter drill in their district. They conducted one of the largest pre-K–12 full-scale active shooter and reunification exercises in the state’s history, involving local, county, and federal partners, as well as more than 40 educators. Their session highlighted lessons learned and strategies to improve operational readiness.
Transportation directors had additional opportunities to collaborate through roundtable discussions and training sessions held during the conference. These sessions focused on training needs, operational challenges, and strategies to strengthen bus safety across Maine.
Maine School Safety Center team members Dr. Stacey Gulley-Vernon, Restorative Practices Coordinator, and Cheryl Brackett, Transportation Coordinator, led a session titled “Safety, Driving, and Student Management – Which Comes First?” for a room packed with transportation directors.
School transportation professionals also explored enhanced safety practices and tools to protect students on and around school buses, as well as regulatory guidance from the Maine DOE and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) focused on paperwork, records, and compliance.
Throughout the conference, participants emphasized the importance of collaboration between schools, transportation departments, emergency responders, and community partners. The event provided a space for professionals from across the state to share experiences, learn from one another, and build stronger networks dedicated to protecting students and school staff.
By combining practical training, expert guidance, and opportunities for collaboration, the 2026 Maine School Safety and Transportation Conference reinforced the Maine School Safety Center’s ongoing commitment to proactive planning, coordinated response, and safe learning environments for all students.
Members of the Maine School Safety Center Team
For more information and additional resources on school safety and transportation, please visit the Maine School Safety Center webpage or contact the Maine School Safety Center.
The Maine Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT), a statewide professional organization dedicated to supporting student transportation across Maine, is hosting its 2026 regional conferences in April and June.
These events provide high-quality professional development, hands-on training, networking opportunities, and skills competitions for transportation professionals from across Maine. Each MAPT regional conference features a full day of targeted training sessions and skills events, designed to promote safety, leadership, and operational excellence in student transportation. These events bring together transportation staff from various school administrative units (SAUs) statewide to strengthen best practices, enhance collaboration, and recognize professional achievement.
Event Dates/Regions:
April 21, 2026 – RSU 57 (Massabesic High School, 88 West Road, Waterboro, ME 04087)
April 22, 2026 – RSU 3 (Mount View Middle and High School, 577 Mount View Road, Thorndike, ME 04986)
April 23, 2026 – Mt. Blue Regional School District (Mt. Blue High School, 129 Seamon Road, Farmington, ME 04938)
June 23, 2026 – MSAD 27 (Fort Kent Community High School, 84 Pleasant Street, Fort Kent, ME 04743)
June 25, 2026 – AOS 96 (Machias Memorial High School, 1 Bulldog Lane, Machias, ME 04654)
For each MAPT regional conference, the agenda will include a 7:30-8 a.m. check-in, with coffee, breakfast, and lunch provided throughout the day. Each conference will end with an awards ceremony at 2 p.m.
The following sessions will be available for participants at each conference:
Drivers’ Skills Competition: This is a high-energy, hands-on competition where drivers demonstrate precision, safety, and professionalism behind the wheel. Participants navigate real-world scenarios that sharpen skills, build confidence, and celebrate excellence in student transportation.
Secure It All – Hands-On Securement Training: This interactive training is focused on proper use and installation of school bus securement systems. Participants will practice correct techniques to ensure students and equipment are safely secured every time—because details matter.
From Mirrors to Mindset: Safety starts with awareness. This session goes beyond mirror adjustment to focus on defensive driving, situational awareness, and the professional mindset required to transport students safely and confidently each day.
Operational Readiness and School Bus Egress (Simulated Smoke): This powerful, real-world simulation prepares transportation professionals for emergency situations. Participants will experience bus evacuation procedures under simulated smoke conditions to strengthen response time, teamwork, and crisis readiness.
Round Table for Directors: This collaborative leadership session is designed specifically for transportation directors. Engage in strategic discussion, share challenges and solutions, and explore innovative practices shaping the future of school transportation.
Open Forum – Moderated Discussion for Drivers, Bus Monitors, and Mechanics: A guided conversation provides frontline professionals the opportunity to share concerns, challenges, and ideas. This open dialogue encourages problem-solving, strengthens communication, and ensures every voice in transportation is heard.
MAPT remains committed to partnering with the Maine Department of Education (DOE), SAUs, and school leaders to ensure Maine’s student transportation teams are always driven by safety. These regional conferences are free to all Maine school bus drivers and transportation directors, reinforcing MAPT’s mission to make professional growth accessible statewide.
To register to attend any of the MAPT regional conferences, please visit MAPT | Conferences. Those with questions may contact Mitzii Smith at 207-222-4927.
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce a safety resource now available to schools through the Maine School Safety Center (MSSC). Chief Jack D. Peck, Jr. (Retired), MSSC School Emergency Management Coordinator, has earned professional certification in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and is offering free, on-site CPTED assessments to Maine schools.
CPTED is a proactive approach to school safety that focuses on how thoughtful design and effective use of indoor and outdoor spaces can help reduce risk, support positive behavior, and create safer and more welcoming learning environments. By evaluating building layout, visibility, lighting, access points, and the overall flow of spaces, CPTED assessments help identify practical strategies schools can use to strengthen safety and security.
This resource provides school administrators, educators, and facilities teams with actionable recommendations tailored to each school’s unique environment. The goal is to support safer schools through practical, cost-effective improvements that can be implemented over time.
School administrators and district leaders interested in scheduling a free on-site CPTED assessment or learning more about this resource are encouraged to contact Jack Peck at Jack.Peck@maine.gov or 207-458-5438.
Maine education, technology, and cybersecurity partners will bring together school leaders on February 12, 2026, for CyberStorm ’26, the state’s third annual statewide school cybersecurity tabletop exercise, focused on strengthening readiness, coordination, and response across Maine’s school systems. This statewide cyber “fire drill” for elementary and secondary schools still has registration spots available to school administrative units (SAUs) that would like to participate.
Hosted via a partnership with the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Learning Through Technology (LTT) Team, Maine Office of Information Technology (MaineIT), Maine Educational Technology Directors Association (METDA), Center for Internet Security (CIS), CISA, and Network Maine (NWM), this virtual exercise will run from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and is open to school IT leaders, network administrators, and school and school administrative unit (SAU) leaders. Enrollment has already reached 100 participants, with a max of 150 participants (at which point, enrollment will close).
CyberStorm ’26, themed “Zero-Day Melee,” reflects the evolving cyber-threat landscape facing Maine schools, where limited local resources, geographically distributed SAUs, and shared statewide services heighten the need for coordinated planning. CyberStorm ’26 poses a scenario that challenges participants to respond to a rapidly unfolding zero-day vulnerability affecting instructional operations, student data, and core technology services.
This year’s facilitator is CIS, which is home to the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC), the trusted resource for cyber-threat prevention, protection, response, and recovery for U.S. state, local, tribal, and territorial government entities.
This exercise builds upon Maine’s broader, multi-year focus on preK-grade 12 cybersecurity resilience. In recent years, the state has emphasized shared services, collaborative training, and cross-agency communication to help SAUs improve incident response readiness and align with national best practices. MaineIT facilitated last year’s event, which aligned with the efforts of Maine’s State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. CyberStorm has become a key venue for schools to test decision-making, clarify roles between educational and technical leadership, and strengthen relationships with state and federal partners before a real incident occurs.
Rather than focusing solely on technical response, CyberStorm ’26 highlights the full scope of a school cyber incident, including leadership decisions, communications, continuity of learning, and recovery considerations—all within a Maine-specific context. CyberStorm continues to evolve alongside emerging threats and lessons learned, reinforcing Maine’s commitment to supporting safe, secure, and resilient learning environments for students and staff across the state.
To register for this event, please submit a request for the registration link to DOE-LTT@maine.gov.
The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is pleased to announce that the state will continue its participation in the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) for a second year. Building on the success of Year One, this initiative will further strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure across Maine’s public K-12 schools. The multi-year SLCGP provides dedicated resources to help school administrative units (SAU) enhance their cybersecurity infrastructure and preparedness.
Action Required by June 20, 2025
To participate in Year Two, all Maine public K-12 SAUs must complete the Year Two Local Consent Form and Opt-In Survey by June 20, 2025. Opting into the grant does not bind a school to participate but is required for participation.
Participating SAUs will receive access to no-cost cybersecurity services designed to protect students, staff, and institutional data. These services may include:
Migration support for .gov domains
Cyber incident response planning
Endpoint detection and response (EDR)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Security awareness training for staff
Year Two Highlights
Funding Available: $4.35 million in state-allocated funds will support local cybersecurity efforts, with a strong focus on K-12 readiness.
No Cost to SAUs: Services are provided at no cost to participants..
Year One Accomplishments
With broad participation in Year One, Maine achieved several key milestones:
Distributed more than 22,000 cybersecurity training licenses to 122 local entities.
Deployed more than 11,000 MFA keys to strengthen security.
Established statewide governance and planning committees.
From March 10-12, 2025, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center (MSSC) hosted the first annual Maine School Safety & Transportation Conference at the Samoset Resort in Rockport. This three-day event brought together transportation administrators, district and building administrators, law enforcement, school health teams, and safety experts to explore effective strategies for maintaining safe and supportive learning environments.
The conference began with an evening networking event, fostering connections among participants from across the state. The following morning, a general session led by the MSSC team set the stage for an in-depth exploration of school safety and transportation topics.
MSSC Assistant Director Jeffery Upton welcomed attendees, emphasizing the significance of hosting a conference tailored to Maine’s unique demographics and geography. Upton highlighted the need for comprehensive, localized strategies that address the state’s distinct challenges.
Following Upton, Bridgette Gilbert, the Maine DOE School Emergency Management Coordinator, stressed the value of tabletop exercises—discussion-based activities that simulate emergency scenarios in a low-stress environment. She provided participants with materials and scenarios to bring back to their schools, helping to refine emergency response plans and identify areas for improvement.
Michelle Legare, Maine DOE School Safety and Security Coordinator, highlighted the importance of law enforcement involvement and discussed considerations before, during, and after an incident.
Maine DOE Transportation Training Coordinator Cheryl Brackett then addressed the critical role of transportation safety, noting the impact of natural and human-made disasters on school transportation systems. She underscored the importance of equipping all school staff with emergency preparedness training.
Maine DOE Restorative Practices Coordinator Stacey Barlow also provided a brief presentation to discuss the importance of using restorative practices following emergencies, focusing on building and maintaining relationships among students and staff.
Audience members contributed valuable insights during the general session, such as the benefit of conducting unscheduled fire or lockdown drills to ensure genuine preparedness. Additionally, the complexities of student cell phone use during emergencies and the need for accurate, timely communication with parents were discussed.
Throughout the remainder of the conference, participants engaged in breakout sessions hosted by partners across Maine and the nation on topics like Behavioral Threat Assessment Management (BTAM), exploitation prevention for students, restorative practices, bomb threat assessment, drug identification and trends, FERPA compliance, bus evacuation procedures, dangerous student behavior prevention and intervention law, Security At First Entry (SAFE) Assessment, emotional intelligence, specialized sessions for school nurses, Transportation Director 101, CDL information session, vaping awareness, and wheelchair securement.
Participants also had the opportunity to attend a Drug and Alcohol Supervisor Certification course held by the Maine Motor Transport Association, enabling them to leave the conference certified to identify the physical, behavioral, speech, and performance indicators of probable alcohol misuse and use of controlled substances.
One standout session highlighted a year-long initiative by the transportation team at MSAD 6, Bonny Eagle. That team has partnered with Maine DOE Social Emotional Intelligence Consultant Kellie D. Bailey to train staff and bus drivers in emotional intelligence, mindfulness practices, and understanding brain science to better address challenging youth behavior.
The initiative aims to cultivate self-awareness and self-regulation and to develop an understanding of these concepts to help with student relationships and student behavior.
“Safety on the bus begins with the person behind the wheel. Having drivers who are best equipped to manage their own responses to the multiple environmental, behavioral, and emotional factors that they encounter daily is essential, as we strive to continue to elevate our [team] and our industry as a whole,” said MSAD 6 Assistant Director Mitzii Smith. “We are excited to be blazing a new trail with this work, as we are the only Transportation Department in the State of Maine to have initiated this collaboration.”
Right to left: Sherri Zulick, MSAD 6 Transportation Trainer; Kellie D. Bailey Maine DOE Consultant; Mitzii Smith, MSAD 6 Transportation Assistant Director; Sarah Marean, MSAD 6 Transportation Director
Check out a video clip of MSAD 6 bus drivers talking about the project.
Attendees left the conference equipped with new tools, strategies, and connections to strengthen school safety and transportation practices statewide. The Maine School Safety & Transportation Conference reaffirmed the collective commitment to creating secure and supportive environments for Maine’s students.
Here is a video of transportation directors and bus drivers being interviewed by Nokomis High School students during the conference, using the Maine DOE Mobile Learning Van.
MSSC plans to host a School Safety & Transportation Conference annually in the late winter/spring.
Anyone working with school safety is encouraged to check out MSSC’s eight-week School Safety Specialist Program. Provided at no cost to Maine schools, the courses are available asynchronously through Eastern Maine Community College and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Please join the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center for the first School Safety & Transportation Conference from March 10-12, 2025 at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine.
This event will bring together educators, transportation professionals, safety experts, and policymakers to discuss and explore innovative strategies, best practices, and emerging technologies to improve school safety and transportation systems.
Why Attend?
Learn from leaders: Gain insights from keynote speakers, panel discussions, and breakout sessions led by experts in school safety and transportation.
Network with peers: Connect with professionals and stakeholders from across Maine to share challenges, solutions, and success stories.
Who Should Attend?
This conference is designed for:
School and district administrators
School board members
Facility directors
Transportation directors and staff
School support staff (e.g., counselors, social workers, nurses, office staff, etc.)
Staff and team leadership
Safety and security personnel, including school safety specialists
Law enforcement and administrators
School resource officers
Juvenile community corrections officers
First responders and local/county EMAs
Please be on the lookout for upcoming communication regarding registration, which opens in mid-January. The first 150 attendees to register will receive a scholarship for registration, meals, and lodging. More information, including a full agenda, speaker lineup, and travel information, is also coming soon.
Let’s work together to create a culture of care and safety in our schools, as well as more efficient transportation systems for our students. We look forward to seeing you in March of 2025!
Maine DOE Newsroom 