Category: School Safety

Registration is Open for the Maine School Safety Specialist Program

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) Maine School Safety Center’s (MSSC) free training for the School Safety Specialist Program is open to schools and school administrative units (SAUs). The School Safety Specialist (SSS) Program helps schools and districts fulfill the requirements of Public Law 2023, chapter 254, to have a designated employee having oversight regarding school safety.

School Safety Specialist (SSS) Program prepares participants to:

  • Support and assist administrators in coordinating the review, editing, and updating of Emergency Operations Plans for their district and/or school building each year.
  • Involve appropriate stakeholders in the development of district/school- level emergency operations planning through the formation of a safety team to include the following: police and fire departments, emergency management agency, emergency medical services (EMS), local medical facilities, community members, administrators, parents, and students.
  • Network with appropriate stakeholders to enhance school safety at the SAU and school level.
  • Act as a resource for other individuals in the SAU on issues related to school safety.
  • Work with the Maine School Safety Center to provide professional development for faculty and staff on school safety-related issues that encourage a safe school environment.

The details of the program:

  • Cohorts start at the beginning of every other month and have 6 weeks to complete. The first cohort of this school year begins in October.
  • All work is done asynchronously and takes approximately 20-25 hours to complete.
  • Work is divided into badges. Each badge is earned when participants review interactive modules and complete a quiz and reflection questions. Incident Command System (ICS) courses are included in the SSS coursework and are accessed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website.

Benefits of participation: 

  • Become a safety leader in your school.
  • Earn digital badges and contact hours for recertification.
  • Become a partner with the Maine School Safety Center
  • Join a community of practice and network with safety specialists across the state.

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity, fill out the School Safety Specialist interest form.

The Maine School Safety Center has a School Emergency Management Coordinator who can help with resources, training, and guidance on emergency management in schools.  The areas include, but are not limited to:

  • Emergency Operations Plans 
  • Emergency Exercises and Drills
  • Implementation of Multi-Disciplinary Teams
  • Implementation of Safety Teams

For further support or information regarding School Emergency Management, reach out to Maine DOE School Emergency Management Coordinator, Jack Peck Jack.Peck@maine.gov.

For further information about the services offered by the Maine School Safety Center, visit the Maine School Safety Center website.

Maine School Safety Center Announces Release of First Phase of School Bus Safety Training Modules

The Maine Department of Education (DOE), Maine School Safety Center (MSSC), is pleased to announce the release of the first phase of training modules developed for school bus drivers. The training modules are available in EnGiNE, the Maine DOE’s online professional learning platform.

The self-paced modules are designed to provide school bus drivers and school transportation professionals with the information and resources they need to train students in safe school bus riding practices. One of the goals of this initiative is to establish consistent safety standards across Maine so that students throughout the state receive the same safety messages from their school bus drivers.

The training modules were developed using nationally recognized school transportation safety guidance and best practices, including resources and recommendations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the National Congress on School Transportation (NCST), and other recognized school transportation safety organizations.

The modules use a “train-the-trainer” approach. School bus drivers across Maine will complete the modules followed by a short quiz at the end of each course. The training provides drivers with consistent information and talking points they can use when teaching students about staying safe on and around the school bus.

The first phase includes modules to teach students about:

  • Waiting at the Bus Stop
  • Crossing in Front of the Bus
  • The Danger Zone
  • Loading and Unloading Practices
  • Riding on the Bus
  • Respect on the Bus
  • Emergency Exits
  • Railroad Crossing Awareness

Each module also includes an information sheet for parents and families. Schools may share these materials with parents so they are aware of the safety topics being taught to their children and can reinforce the same messages at home.

To access the modules, log in to EnGiNE. EnGiNE is the Maine DOE’s online professional learning platform. Those who do not already have login credentials can easily create them using their school email address. For support in creating an account and/or using EnGiNE, please visit the EnGiNE Support Page.

When a module is completed by the school bus drivers, the transportation directors will be able to access the information and keep proof of the training on record.

The Maine School Safety Center is proud to be part of Maine’s continued efforts to strengthen school transportation safety throughout the state. These training modules provide schools and transportation programs with a consistent resource for teaching students how to safely ride, board, exit, and interact around the school bus.

By providing school bus drivers with consistent training materials and safety messages, Maine can work toward a standardized approach to student school bus safety education across the state, while incorporating nationally recognized safety guidance and best practices.

For more information, please reach out to Maine DOE Transportation Specialist Cheryl Brackett at Cheryl.Brackett@maine.gov.

school bus

New Cybersecurity Resources for Schools and Districts

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
  • Developing long-term, customized plans

Access the full CISA K-12 Cybersecurity Foundations Resource Package here. For additional information and questions, please contact the CISA school safety team at SchoolSafety@cisa.dhs.gov.

Webinar Opportunity for Maine School Leaders: Preparation Saves Lives – Strengthening Your School’s Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Protocols

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.

Professional Learning Opportunity: Crisis Management for School-Based Incidents

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.

Course DateLocationRegistration DeadlineSponsoring Agency AddressRegister
May 11, 2026Caribou (PDF flyer)April 27, 2026Caribou High School
Performing Arts Center
308 Sweden Street, Caribou, ME 04736		Register.
May 13, 2026Augusta (PDF flyer)April 29, 2026University of Maine at Augusta
Classroom Capital Center 46 University Drive, Augusta, ME 04330		Register.
May 15, 2026Alfred (PDF flyer)May 1, 2026York County Regional Training Center Room 201 79 First County Way, Alfred, ME 04002Register.

For more information, please contact the Maine School Safety Center.

School Safety and Transportation Professionals Convene in Rockport for 2026 Maine School Safety and Transportation Conference

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.

Registration Open for Maine Association for Pupil Transportation Regional Conferences

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.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Assessments Now Available Through Maine School Safety Center

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 to Host CyberStorm ’26, Third Annual Tabletop Exercise to Strengthen School Cyber Preparedness

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.

Maine Expanding K–12 Cybersecurity Grant in the 2025-2026 School Year; SAUs Must Opt in by June 20

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.

Eligible SAUs received a notification email on April 30, 2025, with a direct link to the form and survey.  The survey can also be accessed here.

Benefits of 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.
  • Completed comprehensive cybersecurity capability assessments.

These accomplishments have laid the foundation for continued progress in Year Two of the grant program.

Questions?

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact slcybersecurity.grant@maine.gov.

Year One Participating SAUs:

Acton Public Schools
Auburn Public Schools
Bangor Public Schools
Biddeford Public Schools
Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor CSD
Brunswick Public Schools
Calais Public Schools
Cape Elizabeth Public Schools
Community Regional Charter School
Ellsworth Public Schools
Eustis Public Schools
Glenburn Public Schools
Gorham Public Schools
Great Salt Bay CSD
Hancock Public Schools
Jonesport Public Schools
Kittery Public Schools
Lamoine Public Schools
Limestone Public Schools
Lisbon Public Schools
MSAD 27
Madawaska Public Schools
RSU 01 – LKRSU
RSU 02
RSU 03/MSAD 03
RSU 04
RSU 05
RSU 06/MSAD 06
RSU 09
RSU 10
RSU 11/MSAD 11
RSU 14
RSU 16
RSU 17/MSAD 17
RSU 18
RSU 19
RSU 20
RSU 22
RSU 24
RSU 25
RSU 28/MSAD 28
RSU 29/MSAD 29
RSU 33/MSAD 33
RSU 38
RSU 39
RSU 40/MSAD 40
RSU 44/MSAD 44
RSU 45/MSAD 45
RSU 52/MSAD 52
RSU 53/MSAD 53
RSU 55/MSAD 55
RSU 56
RSU 60/MSAD 60
RSU 61/MSAD 61
RSU 68/MSAD 68
RSU 70/MSAD 70
RSU 73
RSU 74/MSAD 74
RSU 78
RSU 83/MSAD 13
Saco Public Schools
South Portland Public Schools
St. George Public Schools
Veazie Public Schools
Wells-Ogunquit CSD
Winthrop Public Schools
Yarmouth Schools
York Public Schools