Maine DOE Update – November 10, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

ESEA/NCLB Title I Comparability Report FY17

The ESEA Title I FY17 Comparability Report is ready to be completed and submitted to the Maine Department of Education by Dec. 21, 2016. The list of SAUs required to submit a Comparability Report is noted at the end of this announcement. If your SAU is not listed below, you can disregard this notice.

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Notices and Reporting Items

Staff Data Reporting 2016-17 , due Nov. 15
School Bus Purchase Program Application (NEO Transportation) (EFT-17), due Nov. 25
Bus Safety & Training Report (EFT-21), due Dec. 31
Vehicle Inventory Form – Student Transportation (EFT-24), due Dec. 31
School Bus Purchase Report (EFT-20: Quarter 2), due Dec. 31

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

Information on certain provisions of LD 1576

LD 1576, an Act To Amend Certain Education Laws went into effect as Public Law 2015, Chapter 448. Among the provisions of the law are changes that affect students who may have no school in which to enroll.| More

Health education and physical education teacher leaders invited to apply for Maine Health Education and Physical Education Teacher Leader Cadre

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Information on certain provisions of LD 1576

LD 1576, an Act To Amend Certain Education Laws went into effect as Public Law 2015, Chapter 448.

Among the provisions of the law are changes that affect students who may have no school in which to enroll. The law directs the Commissioner of Education to designate a receiving school administrative unit (SAU) to enroll a student who resides in a SAU that neither maintains a school nor contracts with another SAU. The law contains a provision allowing the superintendent of the residing SAU or the superintendent of the receiving SAU, if dissatisfied with the Commissioner’s decision, within ten calendar days of the Commissioner’s decision, to request that the State Board of Education review the transfer. The State Board may approve or disapprove the Commissioner’s designation within 45 calendar days of receiving the request and shall provide a written decision which is final.

The law also provides that if a student under this section is receiving special education services, the state subsidy of special education costs for the transferred student may not be reduced as a result of the transfer. For other provisions related to funding for students with disabilities, please refer to the law here.

LD 1576 also requires a resident SAU to pay to the receiving SAU tuition and other costs directly related to the student’s special education program, and costs associated with due process proceedings.

The law also provides that, when the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) places a state ward in an out-of-state residential treatment center, the Department of Education Commissioner may designate the Maine DOE as having responsibility for oversight of the child’s individualized education program to ensure that child receives a free, appropriate public education.

If you have questions about these provisions of law, please contact Debra Plowman, Maine DOE’s Director of Policies and Programs, at debra.plowman@maine.gov or 624-6620.

ESEA/NCLB Title I Comparability Report FY17

Section 1120A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)/No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), requires that school administrative units (SAUs) with multiple attendance areas maintain comparability of local/state resources between the Title I schools and the non-Title I schools; or, if all the schools at a grade span are Title I schools, comparability of local resources must be maintained among the Title I schools. The list of SAUs required to submit a Comparability Report is noted at the end of this announcement. If your SAU is not listed below, you can disregard this notice.

The ESEA Title I FY17 Comparability Report is ready to be completed and submitted to the Maine Department of Education by Dec. 21, 2016. The list of SAUs required to submit the FY17 Comparability Report and additional resources including the blank Comparability Report with instructions for completion in Word and Excel formats, a PowerPoint presentation and sample completed reports, are posted to the ESEA web site at http://www.maine.gov/doe/title-IA/forms/index.html.

A webinar is scheduled for Nov. 21, 2016 at 2:00. The link to join the webinar is: http://stateofmaine.adobeconnect.com/fy17ticomparability/.

If you have a telephone with a direct-dial phone number, accept the option in the call-back box to have the system call you by entering your phone number. The system will call you right back.

If you have a telephone with no direct-line phone number (if your phone is only reached by a switchboard), please click on CANCEL when the call-back box appears, then dial-in to the meeting using this access combination:

Conference Number: 1-877-455-0244

Conference Code: 8223978943

Questions regarding ESEA Title I Comparability can be directed to Jackie Godbout, Title IA Consultant, at jackie.godbout@maine.gov or 624-6712, or to Janette Kirk, Title IA Director, at janette.kirk@maine.gov or 624-6707.

FY17 School Administrative Units Required To Complete a Comparability Report

Auburn

Augusta *

Bangor

Gorham

Lewiston *

Portland

Sanford *

Scarborough

South Portland *

Westbrook

RSU 1 *

RSU 2

RSU 3/MSAD 3

RSU 4

RSU 5 *

RSU 6/MSAD 6

RSU 9 *

RSU 10

RSU 11/MSAD 11 *

RSU 12

RSU 13 *

RSU 14

RSU 15/MSAD 15 *

RSU 16

RSU 17/MSAD 17 *

RSU 18

RSU 19 *

RSU 21 *

RSU 22/MSAD 22

RSU 24

RSU 34 *

RSU 35/MSAD 35

RSU 37/MSAD 37 *

RSU 38

RSU 39 *

RSU 40/MSAD 40

RSU 41/MSAD 41 *

RSU 49/MSAD 49

RSU 50 *

RSU 52/MSAD 52

RSU 54/MSAD 54 *

RSU 57/MSAD 57 *

RSU 58/MSAD 58

RSU 60/MSAD 60

RSU 61/MSAD 61 *

RSU 72/MSAD 72

RSU 71

RSU 75/MSAD 75

RSU 79/MSAD 1 *

Those SAUs with an asterisk (*) must attach the teacher count and student enrollment source documents used to complete the FY17 Maine Comparability Report.

Health education and physical education teacher leaders invited to apply for Maine Health Education and Physical Education Teacher Leader Cadre

The Maine DOE Health Education (HE) and Physical Education (PE) programs are seeking quality, motivated applicants to join the Maine Health Education and Physical Education Teacher Leader Cadre (HEPEC). Participants of this initiative are charged with leading the way in ensuring high quality proficiency-based HE & PE in all Maine schools. Cadre participants will work together to provide Maine HE & PE professionals with curriculum, instruction and assessment resources and tools; professional development that supports effective proficiency-based education teaching strategies; and skills and resources to educate about and advocate for quality HE & PE. Successful applicants will:

receive training in facilitation and leadership skills and formative assessment;
develop and deliver professional development at local, regional and statewide events;
participate in a cross curriculum lesson design initiative; and
provide input into the development of a website for the field to share resources and materials, as well as establish other modes of communication.

Administrators are asked to identify potential teachers (pre-K through high school) and encourage them to join the HEPEC for teacher leaders. Enthusiasm and a desire to learn and to lead are more important than the current years of experience. Interested individuals need to complete an online application and submit at least one letter of support from a colleague. Successful applicants will need written approval from administration to participate in the project including permission to attend all the trainings. Please note the orientation training is Dec. 1, 2016 in Augusta and the full fall training is Dec. 7, 2016, also in Augusta. Maine DOE has grant funding to reimburse substitute pay, mileage and lodging for training days as well as to pay stipends for the Summer Institute. To apply, click here.

For more in-depth information contact Maine DOE’s Health Education & Health Promotion Coordinator Susan Berry at susan.berry@maine.gov or Maine DOE’s Health Education & Physical Education Consultant Jean Zimmerman at jean.zimmerman@maine.gov.

Maine DOE Update – November 3, 2016

From the Maine Department of Education

Maine Students Participate in National FFA Convention

In October, state officers and students from three Maine schools traveled to the 89^th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

Continue reading →

Notices and Reporting Items

Staff Data Reporting 2016-17 , due Nov. 15
School Bus Purchase Program Application (NEO Transportation) (EFT-17), due Nov. 25
Bus Safety & Training Report (EFT-21), due Dec. 31
Vehicle Inventory Form – Student Transportation (EFT-24), due Dec. 31
School Bus Purchase Report (EFT-20: Quarter 2), due Dec. 31

More Notices | Administrative Letters | Reporting Calendar

News & Views

MaineCare billing guide for school-based services now available

A MaineCare billing guide for school-based services is now available here. The guide was created by the Department of Health and Human Services with input from Maine DOE and other stakeholders. | More

Each SAU to file its bullying policy and procedures with Maine DOE by July 1, 2017

New version of NEO Transportation Launched Oct. 28

A new version of the NEO Transportation application launched on Friday, Oct. 28. This release includes new features intended to make bus data management easier, a clean-up of features rolled out in the initial release, and an edit of features available to districts. | More

Free webinar for schools on how to deal with the browntail moth

The browntail moth has spread across Maine from York to Millinocket. As a result, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry is offering a free webinar to provide guidance to schools on dealing with issue of the browntail moth and related health concerns (dermatitis and respiratory effects) on school campuses.| More

More Dispatches | Press Releases | Priority Notices

Latest DOE Career/Project Opportunities

Maine students participate in national FFA convention

In October, state officers and students from three Maine schools traveled to the 89^th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

FFA (formerly known as “Future Farmers of America”) represents the leadership organization charged with bringing technical and leadership skills as well as awards, scholarships and recognition, to over 650,000 students in grades 7-12 who are enrolled in educational programs related to agriculture and natural resources. Students from Ashland Community High School, Central Aroostook High School (Mars Hill) and Sanford Regional Technical Center joined over 64,000 of their peers from across the country to participate in competitions related to public speaking, agricultural sales and nursery and landscape management. In addition to participating in these competitions, students attended leadership sessions, went on tours, and took advantage of cultural offerings in Indianapolis.

Maine FFA’s State President, Dayna McCrum, and State Vice President Kaley Norsworthy acted as official convention delegates, discussing and voting on measures affecting the programs offered by the National FFA. Two Maine FFA members, Whitnie Bradbury and Tyler Raymond, joined the ranks of fewer than 1% of FFA members awarded the American FFA Degree, the highest distinction accorded by the National FFA. State FFA Advisor Doug Robertson, from the Maine Department of Education, participated in meetings with staff from all 50 states to learn more about their programs and about National FFA offerings.

For more information on opportunities, awards and scholarships provided by the FFA and for questions regarding the establishment of Maine FFA chapters, please contact Maine DOE’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Education Specialist, Doug Robertson, at 624-6744 or doug.robertson@maine.gov.

Free webinar for schools on how to deal with the browntail moth

The webinar will be held November 17, 2016 from 10-11 AM to help schools learn how to recognize this pest and what can be done to address it.

Presenters will be: Barbara Chisholm, School Nurse, Gardiner Area High School; Charlene Donahue, Entomologist, Maine Forest Service; Jon Stonier, Director of Operations, MSAD 11. No advance registration is required for this Adobe Connect webinar.

To participate, click here approximately ten minutes before the webinar is scheduled to begin, then log in as a guest. (Note: you may be prompted to download the Adobe Connect software if your computer does not have it already). Information about Adobe Connect (computer software and audio requirements) is available here.

For more information contact Kathy Murray at the Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry at kathy.murray@maine.gov or 287-7616.

Each SAU to file its bullying policy and procedures with Maine DOE by July 1, 2017

In an effort to address bullying behavior in our schools to ensure student safety and an inclusive learning environment, SAUs are required to file their bullying policies and procedures with the Maine Department of Education. An Act To Prohibit Bullying and Cyberbullying in Schools, passed into law in 2012, asks for transparency and monitoring which in turn allows for accurate and timely technical assistance from the Department when school personnel, parents and guardians, and the public have questions related to bullying. All superintendents will receive notification through email from the Department’s Student Assistance Coordinator about how to file their SAU’s bullying policy and procedures with the Department. The deadline for filing is July 1, 2017. Once these policies and procedures are filed with the Department, superintendents will receive confirmation and guidance as to whether or not their policies and procedures are consistent with the model policy (including procedures) revised by the commissioner.

For additional information or questions, please contact Sarah Ricker, Maine DOE’s Student Assistance Coordinator, at 624-6685 or sarah.ricker@maine.gov.

MaineCare billing guide for school-based services now available

A MaineCare billing guide for school-based services is now available here. The guide was created by the Department of Health and Human Services with input from Maine DOE and other stakeholders.

Additional resources related to MaineCare school-based services are also available on the MaineCare in Education webpage. All questions relating to MaineCare school-based services can be directed to MaineCareinEducation.DHHS@maine.gov.

Blue Ribbon Commission to meet Monday, October 31

Augusta – The next meeting of the Commission to Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance in Maine will be held on Monday, Oct. 31 at 9:00 a.m. at the University of Maine Presque Isle’s MMG Center for Professional Development. Interested parties may also attend the meeting via video conference at the Maine Department of Education, which is located at 111 Sewall Street in Augusta.

A copy of the meeting agenda and documents relating to the Commission’s work will be posted here as they are made available.

Additionally, members of the public who wish to submit comments or ideas about public education issues for consideration by the Commission may do so here. Comments submitted through the website will be distributed to members of the Commission.

The Commission to Reform Public Education Funding and Improve Student Performance in Maine was created by LD 1641 which allocated an additional $15 million in education funding for local schools. Based on the Commission’s work, a report to the Governor and the Legislature will be submitted by Jan. 10, 2017 that includes findings and recommendations for action to reform public education funding and improve student performance in the state.

________________

Contact:
Jamie Logan
Communications Director
624-6747
jamie.e.logan@maine.gov