Statement about the 2017-18 budget and how it will affect ED279s

As you likely know by now, the biennial budget was enacted on July 4, 2017, and included finalized funding levels for 2017-18 State school subsidies (Public Law 2017 Ch. 284 Part C). While the Department appreciates that school districts and local governments are eager for updated funding projections for each district, it is important to note that this legislation includes a number of statutory changes to the formula that will take time to incorporate into the ED279 computer system. The estimated date that new ED279s subsidy printouts will be available is no later than July 21.  As soon as these are available, a statement will be issued when the printouts have been posted to ED279 website at http://www.maine.gov/doe/eps/

The Department’s School Finance staff is working as quickly as possible, however they will need time to perform the necessary quality control steps to ensure that the amount for each school administrative unit is accurate.

It has come to our attention that other organizations have attempted to predict the amount of increase for each SAU. We caution you that these may not be accurate as they likely do not account for the formula changes that were enacted in Ch. 284. Only department issued amounts, which will be available on the ED279s when they are ready, should be used for budgeting purposes.

Also, please be aware that there is language in Ch. 284 Part JJJJJJJ of the enacted budget bill regarding the local action on any increase in their State subsidy and the use of the increased funds relating to requirements for reduction in local contribution and limitations on use of funds for increased expenditures. Please note that this section applies for both fiscal years 2017-18 and 2018-19 and may be found on page 817 of the budget bill, at the link below.

PL 2017 Ch. 284: http://legislature.maine.gov/ros/LawsOfMaine/breeze/Law/getDocById/?docId=57293

Please be assured that the Department is acutely aware of the need for updated information as soon as possible, and appreciates the difficulty that the delayed enactment of the state’s biennial budget has created on the local budgeting process for schools and municipalities. Our staff is committed to working as quickly as possible to provide you with the accurate information you need to finalize your budget. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Maine DOE Update – July 6, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Notices and Reporting Items

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Maine DOE announces 5 student interns for the 2017 summer months

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) has announced 5 student interns who will be working at the Maine DOE headquarters in Augusta for the summer. The Maine Government Summer Internship Program is available through the Margaret Chase Smith Center at the University of Maine. | More

RFP issued for Translation and Subscription Services to Provide Unlimited Access to Multi-Language Forms

The Maine Department of Education is seeking proposals for subscription services to provide unlimited remote access to all Maine School Administrative Units (SAUs) for the collection of ESSA Parent Notifications and forms to assist Maine’s SAUs in meeting ESSA compliance requirements. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

RFP issued for Translation and Subscription Services to Provide Unlimited Access to Multi-Language Forms

The Maine Department of Education is seeking proposals for subscription services to provide unlimited remote access to all Maine School Administrative Units (SAUs) for the collection of ESSA Parent Notifications and forms to assist Maine’s SAUs in meeting ESSA compliance requirements. These documents must be available in English with translations in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Portuguese, Vietnamese, and Somali, with opportunities for additional languages to be added. The Department and SAUs must have the ability to upload locally created documents. These documents must be available to download and print onto State or local letterhead.

A copy of the RFP, as well as the Question & Answer Summary and all amendments related to this RFP, can be obtained at the following website: http://www.maine.gov/purchases/venbid/rfp.shtml

Proposals must be submitted to the State of Maine Division of Purchases, located at the Burton M. Cross Office Building, 111 Sewall Street – 4th Floor, Augusta, ME 04330. Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 pm, local time, on July 25, 2017, when they will be opened. Proposals not received at the Division of Purchases’ aforementioned address by the aforementioned deadline will not be considered for contract award.

NOTICE: Maine DOE during potential government shutdown

In the event of a statewide government shutdown, the Maine Department of Education will have the following lines of communication in place:

  • Civil rights complaints can be reported by calling (207) 624-6692.
  • Complaints about state and federal programs can be reported by calling (207) 624-6692.
  • Special Education complaints can be reported in writing by fax at (207) 624-6700.

For further information about the government shutdown subscribe to the state’s Citizen Alert System (CAS) at www.maine.gov/portal/CAS/ or visit maine.gov.

PRIORITY NOTICE: Requirements for renewal of criminal history records check

Beginning July 1, 2017, the processing of renewal of criminal history records check for those individuals that have not been continuously employed will require a national criminal history records check in order to be in compliance with State law (20-A MRS §6103) and rules (05-71 Chapter 115 Part 1, Section 3.2).

Individuals that have not been continuously employed (interrupted service) will be required to be re-fingerprinted to renew their criminal history records check.

If an individual believes they have been continuously employed and not reported in the NEO staff system, verification of their continuous employment will be necessary. Verification of employment documents should be sent along with the renewal application.

Instruction for criminal history records check and fingerprinting are available at: http://www.maine.gov/doe/cert/fingerprinting/renewal-instructions.html

For more information please contact the Certification office at 207-624-6603 or cert.doe@maine.gov

Maine DOE announces 5 student interns for the 2017 summer months

Augusta, Maine – The Maine Department of Education (DOE) today announced 5 student interns who will be working at the Maine DOE headquarters in Augusta for the summer.
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Joseph Leclair

A student at the University of Maine at Orono, Leclair is a double major in accounting and finance. During his internship he will be working with the School Finance group at the Maine DOE creating a handbook for the business offices at public schools. Leclair is from Fairfield, Maine.

 

 

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Casey Rogers

Rogers is a resident of Farmington, Maine and a student at the University of Maine at Orono with a major in social work and a minor in psychology. During her internship, she will be working as an in-field recruiter for the Maine DOE’s Migrant Education Program, and will be traveling to Aroostook and Washington Counties to meet families moving for the broccoli and blueberry harvests to determine eligibility and connect those families with services.

 

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Valentina Annunziata

A student at the University of Maine at Presque Isle with a major in criminal justice and a minor in pre-law studies, Annunziata will be working at the Maine DOE as an in-field recruiter for the Migrant Education Program and will be traveling to Aroostook and Washington Counties to meet families moving for the broccoli and blueberry harvests to determine eligibility and connect those families with services. She is from Honeoye Falls, New York.

 

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Zachary Napsey

A student at Husson University working on his degree in Elementary Education, Napsey will be spending his summer internship at the Maine DOE assisting in the re-collection and distribution of Maine Learning Through Technology (MLTI) devices throughout the state as well as assisting in other programs run by the Learning Through Technology Team. Napsey is from Claremont, NH.

 

 

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Ben Huber

A student at the University of Maine Orono where is he a double major in history and secondary education. During his summer internship at the Maine DOE, he will be assisting in the re-collection and distribution of MLTI devices throughout the state as well as assisting in other programs run by the Learning Through Technology Team. Huber is from Westborough, MA.

 

 

The Maine Government Summer Internship Program is available through the Margaret Chase Smith Center at the University of Maine.

Maine DOE Update – June 29, 2017

From the Maine Department of Education

Notices and Reporting Items

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Maine DOE and MDOL launch bus driver hiring initiative for veterans

Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) is collaborating with the Maine Department of Education (DOE) for the 2017 Maine Hire-A-Vet campaign to offer free training for veterans interested in becoming a school bus driver. | More

2017-2018 MeCAS Testing Dates Posted

The 2017-2018 Maine Comprehensive Assessment System (MeCAS) testing dates have been posted. This includes Maine Educational Assessments (MEA) and National/International Assessments. | More

Notice of Special Purpose Private School Tuition Rate Change – Future Builders School

Pursuant to Title 20-A, Chapter 303, sub-chapter 3§7302, the Maine Department of Education Special Services team has authorized a 2017 fiscal year rate change for Future Builders School effective July 1, 2017. The daily rate for Future Builders School will be $190, this rate will only apply to billing for days of attendance starting July 1, 2017. | More

Requirements for renewal of criminal history records check

Beginning July 1, 2017, the processing of renewal of criminal history records check for those individuals that have not been continuously employed will require a national criminal history records check in order to be in compliance with State law (20-A MRS §6103) and rules (05-71 Chapter 115 Part 1, Section 3.2).. | More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Notice of Special Purpose Private School Tuition Rate Change – Future Builders School

Pursuant to Title 20-A, Chapter 303, subchapter 3§7302, the Maine Department of Education Special Services team has authorized a 2017 fiscal year rate change for Future Builders School effective July 1, 2017. The daily rate for Future Builders School will be $190, this rate will only apply to billing for days of attendance starting July 1, 2017.

Billing during the 2018 fiscal year for Future Builders School will still be subject to a rate change determined by analyzing expenditure report budgets submitted for the previous year.

For more information contact Tyler Backus, Maine DOE School Finance and Compliance Coordinator at 207-624-6635 or tyler.backus@maine.gov.

2017-2018 MeCAS Testing Dates Posted

The 2017-2018 Maine Comprehensive Assessment System (MeCAS) testing dates have been posted. This includes Maine Educational Assessments (MEA) and National/International Assessments:

  • Science grades 5, 8, high school (general and alternate)
  • WIDA English Language Proficiency (general and alternate)
  • Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA)/Literacy grades 3-8 and high school (eMPowerME, SAT, and alternate)
  • Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (sample grades 4 & 8)

NOTE: eMPowerME Math and ELA/Literacy Essay test session is incorporated into the 4-week test window with all other eMPowerME test sessions (reading, math, writing & language), not in a separate window.

Click here to see 2017-2018 Maine Comprehensive Assessment System testing dates.

For further information and questions, contact:
Eric Buckhalter – Office Associate II
Eric.buckhalter@maine.gov
207-624-6770

PRIORITY NOTICE: Infinite Campus State Edition update and end of year reporting

As a reminder, due to a change in state level student information systems, the Maine Department of Education Infinite Campus State Edition (ICSE) will no longer be accessible on July 7, 2017, extended from the June 30, 2017 date that was initially posted.  Once ICSE is turned off, there will be no way for districts to complete end of year reporting.  Therefore, it is vital that the following end of year ICSE reports be completed prior to this date:

  • Attendance Certification
  • Truancy Certification
  • Behavior Certification
  • Special Ed Exit Certification

Student enrollments must also be ended, those moving out of state or out of the country, those going to private schools, those exiting to homeschool, and those graduated.  All of which include exiting them from special education if appropriate.  If you are also missing your EPS April report you should also strive to complete this overdue report prior to the July 7th date.

All reports due are listed on the Data collection and reporting (DC & R) calendar:
https://neo.maine.gov/DOE/neo/DCAR/Calendar

Reports found Infinite Campus ICSE:
https://maine.infinitecampus.org/campus/mese.jsp

Reports found in NEO:
https://neo.maine.gov/DOE/NEO/Dashboard/Home/Index/

For more information contact the MEDMS Helpdesk at (207) 624-6896.