From Communications.DOE at maine.gov Wed Aug 5 15:21:31 2009 From: Communications.DOE at maine.gov (DOE, Communications) Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 15:21:31 -0400 Subject: [DOE Info] Info Letter #10 - Change to the State Required Special Education Forms Message-ID: <32E5C6B0B949584D9B6168C5F727916B06E66544@SOM-TEAQASMAIL1.som.w2k.state.me.us> ====================================================== TO: ALL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS The following message is being sent at the request of the Commissioner. Note: The Administrative and Informational Letters (with more formatting for ease of reading and printing) are available on our website at the following address: http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/index.shtml ====================================================== INFORMATIONAL LETTER:?10 POLICY CODE:?BGB TO: Superintendents of Schools; Child Development Services Regional Board Chairs; Directors of Special Education; Child Development Services Site Directors; MADSEC; Maine Parent Federation; Southern Maine Parent FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner DATE: August 5, 2009 RE: Changes to the State Required Special Education Forms The entire set of State-required special education forms has been reviewed. The date of August 10, 2009 (8/10/09) has been put at the bottom of each English form to show that each form has been reviewed and to indicate they are to be used at the beginning of the 2009-2010 school year.?The date at the bottom of the Written Notice is June 22, 2009 (6/22/09). Four of the forms have undergone small changes. Those forms, and the changes made to each of them, are: Advance Written Notice (AWN): A box for "CDS 6-month review of IFSP" has been added; A space for the contact number for the "Administrator/CDS site director" has been added. Individualized Education Program (IEP): A question has been added to Section 9; A column entitled "Instruction" has been added to Section 11e. Parental Consent for Evaluation: The words "such as..." and punctuation have been deleted from #6 on Page 2. Written Notice (WN): On page 1, the phrase "Date Amendment(s) sent if parent requested a a copy" has been changed to "Date Amended IEP/IFSP sent if parent requested a copy"; A check off box for "Other" has been added to the set of boxes on page 1; A reminder of LD 489 and its contents has been placed under the check off boxes on page 1; The phone number for Southern Maine Parent Awareness has been corrected. The four forms that have had minor changes and the IFSP form will be translated into Acholi, Arabic, Khmer, Mandarin, Nuer, Somali and Spanish. For questions about the State-required special education forms, please contact Susan Parks at 624-6646 or at mailto:susan.parks at maine.gov From Communications.DOE at maine.gov Wed Aug 5 15:17:09 2009 From: Communications.DOE at maine.gov (DOE, Communications) Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 15:17:09 -0400 Subject: [DOE Info] Info Letter #9 - Reminder: Maine Department of Education Regulation 118, Purposes, Standards and Procedures for Educational Personnal Support Systems Message-ID: <32E5C6B0B949584D9B6168C5F727916B06E66543@SOM-TEAQASMAIL1.som.w2k.state.me.us> ====================================================== TO: ALL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS The following message is being sent at the request of the Commissioner. Note: The Administrative and Informational Letters (with more formatting for ease of reading and printing) are available on our website at the following address: http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/index.shtml ====================================================== INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 9 POLICY CODE: GCFC TO: Superintendents of Schools, Principals, and Certification Chairs FROM: Susan Gendron, Commissioner DATE: August 5, 2009 RE: REMINDER: Maine Department of Education Regulation 118, PURPOSES, STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR EDUCATIONAL PERSONNEL SUPPORT SYSTEMS On July 11, 2007, the State Board of Education adopted amendments to Maine Department of Education Regulation 118, following a public rule-making process. The Secretary of State approved those amendments on July 17, 2007. Informational Letter #20, dated September 21, 2007, detailed these amendments and available workshops and resources (see new workshop schedule at end of letter). Local certification support system committees (termed the Professional Learning Community Support System, or PLCSS, in the new regulation) must submit a revised certification support system plan by December 31, 2009 in order to continue to be an approved Support System (authorized to recommend teachers for recertification). We strongly recommend that the reorganization work in your region be considered before rewriting these action plans. The following is a reminder of the major revisions included in the 2007 amendments to Maine Department of Education Regulation 118: Submission, by the administrative unit, of a plan pursuant to the new Maine Department of Education Regulation 118 no later than December 31, 2009; One trained mentor to replace the three member support teams; Maine Department of Education-approved mentor training required of mentors; Earning of the initial professional certificate to be based on demonstration of Maine's Initial Teacher Certification Standards through the Teacher Action Plan; A certification support system committee that includes professionally certified educators, one administrator, and as an option, educational technicians; A Professional Recertification Action Plan based on "Maine's Initial Teacher Certification Standards"; Inclusion of educational technicians in the support system if the support system plan allows it (optional at the discretion of the SAU); Local demonstration of the National Board Standards, or attainment of National Board Certification, for the recommendation for a Master Teacher Certificate; Implementation of the local revised certification support system plan contingent upon the receipt of appropriate additional funding through the EPS formula; Private schools with a current approved certification support system plan to submit a new plan pursuant to the new Maine Department of Education Regulation 118. Their current approved support system plans expire August 1, 2010. Private schools that do not have an approved certification support system plan may submit a plan using the new Maine Department of Education Regulation 118 rules at any time. Private schools that do not have an approved certification support system plan by August 2010 will no longer be able to recommend teachers and educational specialists for professional certificates. More information is available on the Maine Teacher Induction website, including a "Guidance" document containing sample PLCSS policies, procedures, and forms. These materials now include samples of newly approved Professional Learning Community Support System (PLCSS) plans. These samples and resources can be found at: http://www.maine.gov/education/teacherinduction/ch118.html There are currently over 255 Mentor Trainers representing every region in Maine who are prepared to train mentors using the Maine Model. Lists of these mentor trainers, their region, and their contact information can be accessed at the website below. Educators interested in becoming mentor trainers should complete an online application, as further workshops will be scheduled based on regional needs. Registration information for these workshops is also available at the following website: http://www.maine.gov/education/teacherinduction/workshops.html Between 2005 and 2009, twenty (20) "Regional Informational Sessions" were advertised and held across the State of Maine. Further informational workshops will be offered regionally during the 2009-2010 school year via "Webinar". These workshops are designed to help local certification teams assess their current structure and create action plans based on the amendments to the rule, and meet the requirements for training in Section 2.5 (f) of the revised Rule You can log on to the upcoming Chapter 118 Webinar at the following link: Meeting Name: Chapter 118 Informational Session Invited By: DOE- PK20-1 To join the meeting: http://stateofmaine.na4.acrobat.com/ch118/ Date: September 9, 2009?Time: 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm Conference Number: 1-866-910-4857 Participant Code: 140893 If you require additional information or consultation, please contact Dan Conley at 624-6639, or email at: mailto:dan.conley at maine.gov From Communications.DOE at maine.gov Thu Aug 6 14:48:16 2009 From: Communications.DOE at maine.gov (DOE, Communications) Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 14:48:16 -0400 Subject: [DOE Info] Info Letter #11 - School Facilities Management System Update Message-ID: <32E5C6B0B949584D9B6168C5F727916B06E6654E@SOM-TEAQASMAIL1.som.w2k.state.me.us> ====================================================== TO: ALL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS The following message is being sent at the request of the Commissioner. Note: The Administrative and Informational Letters (with more formatting for ease of reading and printing) are available on our website at the following address: http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/index.shtml ====================================================== INFORMATIONAL LETTER:?11 POLICY CODE: EHA TO: Superintendents of Schools FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner DATE: August 6, 2009 RE: School Facilities Management System Update The Department of Education has finalized a contract for the web-based School Facilities Management System (SFMS) for use by school units.?This will be a valuable tool for managing your capital assets and planning capital reinvestments.?The new system is scheduled for implementation in September 2009.? On-site trainings will be provided beginning in September 2009.?All SAUs must designate one system administrator to attend a training session.?Your next steps are as follows: Submit the name of your system administrator, their title, email address, telephone number and the name of your SAU to mailto:sfms.training at maine.gov .?This information must be submitted by Friday August 14, 2009. Verify the building assets currently in the facilities database by going to http://www.maine.gov/education/const/fmt.htm and downloading the Excel file "Asset List".?Follow the instructions for confirming, adding or deleting building assets.?You must complete the review of your assets by Friday August 21, 2009. Your system administrator will receive an email with a link to the training registration site.?Registrations will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.?The registration deadline is Friday, August 28, 2009.?After registering for training the system administrator will receive a confirmation email with additional information and directions to their session. Upon completion of training, your system administrator will need to log on to the SFMS system with their new user name and password and complete the SFMS facilities surveys for your SAU.?This will update your data and provide important statewide facilities information to the Department.? All passwords for users of the previous Capital Asset Management (CAM) software will be deleted on August 31, 2009. If your school unit had previously received only the first half reimbursement for facility assessment costs, you will be eligible to receive the second half reimbursement upon completion of the above steps. The above steps must be completed by the dates listed above and the facilities surveys must be completed by March 31, 2010.?This will be the final opportunity for SAUs to receive the second half reimbursement for prior facilities assessment costs.? Additionally, all school units that will be applying for any type of facilities funding through the Maine Department of Education must complete the above steps.?On-going participation in the SFMS will be a prerequisite for funding approval by the Department for all school facilities programs, including the Leased Space program, the School Revolving Renovation Fund, the Major Capital School Construction program, the Federal tax credit bond programs and any future facilities funding opportunities. Finally, the School Facilities Services division has created a new listserve for the use of school facilities personnel and the Department.?We hope this will serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas and questions regarding facilities.?To subscribe to the listserve please visit http://mailman.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfacilities . We look forward to working with you as you integrate the SFMS into your facilities management program. If you have questions about the SFMS please contact Ann Pinnette at 624-6885 or mailto:ann.pinnette at maine.gov or Scott Brown at 624-6883 or mailto:scott.brown at maine.gov . From Communications.DOE at maine.gov Thu Aug 6 15:08:15 2009 From: Communications.DOE at maine.gov (DOE, Communications) Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2009 15:08:15 -0400 Subject: [DOE Info] Info. Letter #12 - Superintendent's Conference Follow-Up - Standards Based Education Message-ID: <32E5C6B0B949584D9B6168C5F727916B06E66551@SOM-TEAQASMAIL1.som.w2k.state.me.us> ====================================================== TO: ALL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS The following message is being sent at the request of the Commissioner. Note: The Administrative and Informational Letters (with more formatting for ease of reading and printing) are available on our website at the following address: http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/index.shtml ====================================================== Informational Letter:?12 Policy Code:?GCI TO: Superintendents of Schools FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner of Education DATE: August 6, 2009 RE: Superintendent's Conference Follow-Up - Standards Based Education Thank you for your continued interest in Maine's transition to a standards-based system of education and our work with the Re-Inventing Schools Coalition.?This week we engaged 100 more participants for the 2009 Maine RISC Summer Institute to deepen their understanding and build action plans for this exciting work.? As promised at the Superintendents' Conference in Bar Harbor, Rich DeLorenzo, Co-Founder of the Re-Inventing Schools Coalition, will be returning to Maine in September from the 10th to the 18th for a series of statewide events that are currently being planned.?These events will provide the opportunities you requested in order for regions and districts to go deeper into the Model to gain increased awareness and understanding.? At the Superintendents' Conference the idea of bringing conversations about standards-based education to the regional level surfaced. To that end, we have organized a series of meetings for groups to explore, go deeper and actually have customized interactions with stakeholders for the next steps. The schedule is as follows: Performance-Based Systems Workshop for Administrators - Designed for educational leaders who have previously attended RISC workshops: WHEN: Thursday, September 10, 2009 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday, September 11, 2009 8:00am - 4:00pm WHERE: Holiday Inn Portland West, 81 Riverside Street, Portland Directions - http://www.portlandholidayinn.com/Directions 2009 Maine Re-inventing Schools Coalition Fall Symposium WHEN: Sunday, September 13, 2009?4:00pm - 8:00pm Monday, September 14, 2009; 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday, September 15, 2009;?8:00am - 4:00pm WHERE: Wyndham Portland Airport Hotel, 363 Maine Mall Road, South Portland Directions - http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/PWMHT/mapanddirections/main.wnt?param=1 - Please Provide Feedback Response - Regional Opportunities for Building/Deepening Understanding of Performance-Based Educational Systems Open for regional work with Superintendents and their shareholders.?I would like suggestions as to how to best utilize Rich's knowledge and skills to build capacity for this work in your region.? WHEN: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Thursday, September 17, 2009 WHERE: Regions To Be Determined by Superintendent Responses Please e-mail your ideas or suggestions for regional collaborative work to Tammy Morrill at mailto:tammy.morrill at maine.gov no later than Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 12:00 noon.?We will try to accommodate as many ideas as possible.? Meeting with the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs WHEN: Friday, September 18, 2009 WHERE: Burton M. Cross State Office Building, 111 Sewall Street, Augusta 2nd Floor - Room # 202 Directions - http://www.maine.gov/education/directions.htm If you are interested in attending any of the meetings, please know that they are inclusive and you are most welcome.?The groups gathering for September 10-11 are a little more ahead in the planning/implementation process, while the meetings scheduled for September 13,14,15 are for a broader awareness of the work. I realize that the September dates may present a challenge with schools just getting started, but wanted to make the opportunity available to those who may be able to participate.?It is also important to note that the Winter Institute dates are being determined and will provide, yet, another opportunity.?In the meantime please visit the Maine Department of Education website with the latest resources on Standards Based Education at? http://www.maine.gov/education/sbs/index.html Thank you again for your continued interest in this exciting work to deliver on the promise of Maine's Learning Results. From David.Connerty-Marin at maine.gov Tue Aug 11 10:31:16 2009 From: David.Connerty-Marin at maine.gov (Connerty-Marin, David) Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:31:16 -0400 Subject: [DOE Info] SAVE THE DATE - Meeting to discuss financial strategies in an uncertain fiscal climate Message-ID: SAVE THE DATE What: Meeting to discuss financial strategies in an uncertain fiscal climate When: Friday, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Location: to be determined (Augusta-Waterville region) As a result of discussions with all of you at the Superintendents' Conference, and a meeting Commissioner Gendron held with the Funding Committee, the Department is inviting superintendents to meet and discuss strategies for budgeting in tough times. The already-enacted two-year budget includes a $55 million reduction in state education subsidy (GPA) for FY 11. Due to revenue projections, we need to be prepared for possible additional reductions in state funding for FY 10 and FY 11. Please mark your calendars for Friday, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for this meeting. There is no cost to attend, and lunch will be provided. The exact location has not been finalized; we are looking for a location in the Augusta-Waterville region. We will get back to you in the coming days with details. If you have any questions in the meantime or suggestions for the agenda, please contact Jim Rier at mailto:Jim.Rier at maine.gov or 624-6600. David Connerty-Marin Director of Communications Maine Department of Education 207-624-6880 |?207-831-3313 David.Connerty-Marin at Maine.gov From Communications.DOE at maine.gov Thu Aug 13 14:01:35 2009 From: Communications.DOE at maine.gov (DOE, Communications) Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:01:35 -0400 Subject: [DOE Info] Info. Letter #13 - Maine Course Pathways: Regional Informational Sessions Message-ID: <32E5C6B0B949584D9B6168C5F727916B06E66564@SOM-TEAQASMAIL1.som.w2k.state.me.us> ====================================================== TO:? ALL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS The following message is being sent at the request of the Commissioner. ?Note:? The Administrative and Informational Letters (with more formatting for ease of reading and printing) are available on our website at the following address: http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/index.shtml ====================================================== INFORMATIONAL LETTER:?13 POLICY CODE:?IKF TO: Superintendents of Schools, High School Principals, Curriculum Coordinators, and CTE Directors FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner DATE: August 13, 2009 RE: Maine Course Pathways: Regional Informational Sessions This is a follow-up to Informational Letter #7 (July 27, 2009) http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=edu_letters&id=77023&v=article. Registration forms are now available for school teams planning to attend the September 2009 Maine Course Pathways Regional Informational Sessions. Please click on the link below to print the registration form. http://www.maine.gov/education/forms/regformfallmcp2009.doc Dates and locations are listed below: September 18, 2009 - Presque Isle High School September 21, 2009 - Spectacular Events, Bangor September 22, 2009 - Green Ladle, Lewiston September 23, 2009 - Verrillo's, Portland As indicated on the registration form, questions about registration should be directed to Angela Birmingham at mailto:angela.birmingham at maine.gov Questions about the training or Maine Course Pathways should be directed to Jana Boody at mailto:jana.boody at maine.gov or Lora Downing at mailto:lora.downing at maine.gov. From Communications.DOE at maine.gov Wed Aug 19 13:09:55 2009 From: Communications.DOE at maine.gov (DOE, Communications) Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:09:55 -0400 Subject: [DOE Info] Admin. Letter #5: Public School Annual Approval Report EF-I-291 Message-ID: <32E5C6B0B949584D9B6168C5F727916B06E66587@SOM-TEAQASMAIL1.som.w2k.state.me.us> ====================================================== TO:? ALL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS The following message is being sent at the request of the Commissioner. ?Note:? The Administrative and Informational Letters (with more formatting for ease of reading and printing) are available on our website at the following address: http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/index.shtml ====================================================== ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER NO:?5 POLICY CODE:?CM TO: Superintendents of Schools FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner DATE: August 19, 2009 SUBJECT: PUBLIC SCHOOL ANNUAL SCHOOL APPROVAL REPORT EF-I-291 Please complete the EF-I-291 for 2009-2010 that is located inside the MEDMS application.?It will appear in the Application drop-down menu under "Forms" and the Action drop-down menu under "School Approval."?Please direct the person with permission to view the system to respond to each of the indicators, choosing complete, incomplete or not applicable; "incomplete" as a response does not excuse the school from that requirement. It means that the school understands that the requirement must be met and is working to meet the regulations in the best interests of students.?For items marked "incomplete", please contact Dr. Edwin N. Kastuck, School Approval Services, at edwin.kastuck at maine.gov or 624-6776 to provide a brief explanation of how and when you will meet that requirement.?Full school approval will not be granted until all indicators have been met. Please note that schools that are accredited by NEASC must also complete this State school approval process.?The electronic form should be submitted on-line via the MEDMS system no later than October 5, 2009. Beginning this school year, the Department of Education will not be printing or mailing school approval certificates.?Instead, you will receive an email message with the approved schools' certificates attached as PDF files.?You can print them out and store them electronically for future use. The information contained on the form meets two significant goals: (1) to provide the Department with documentation of each school's compliance with the statutes and regulations; (2) to provide administrators with a more complete list of the requirements to use as a self-assessment. Please note that the section on the Annual School Approval Report that incorporates an assurance / certification that documentation that you have been required to submit in the past, is on file at the central office of the school administrative unit, and that you certify that these reports can be viewed during regular office hours. This certification will appear as a drop-down option when the Superintendent (or users with digital signature access) logs in to MEDMS.?If you don't have the proper access or a user account, please contact your Local District Administrator.?To complete the signature, select Digital Signature from the Application Menu and click "GO" and then select School Approval from the Action Menu and click "GO".?This signature page will be available beginning August 20, 2009. Failure to meet any Health and Safety (HS) requirements, as well as item # 37 which is marked "L" and which addresses the essential Emergency Management Plan, shall be grounds for Provisional Approval and /or possible penalties per section 14.03 of Chapter 125, including the withholding of state subsidy. Please feel free to contact Dr. Edwin N. Kastuck, School Approval Services, by e-mail or phone 624-6776 if you have any questions. Questions regarding the MEDMS system should be directed to the MEDMS Help Desk at 624-6896. To access the full text of Chapters cited (please click on the link): Ch. 33 Use of Timeout Rooms, Therapeutic Restraints and Aversives in Public Schools and Approved Private Schools http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/05/071/071c033.doc Ch. 51 Child Nutrition Programs in Public Schools and Institutions ftp://ftp.state.me.us/pub/sos/cec/rcn/apa/05/071/071c051.doc Ch. 81 Uniform School Bus Standards for Pupil Transportation in Maine ftp://ftp.state.me.us/pub/sos/cec/rcn/apa/05/071/071c081.doc Ch. 104 Education Programs for Gifted and Talented Children ftp://ftp.state.me.us/pub/sos/cec/rcn/apa/05/071/071c104.doc Ch. 115 Certification, Authorization and Approval of Educational Personnel ftp://ftp.state.me.us/pub/sos/cec/rcn/apa/05/071/071c115.doc Ch. 125 Basic Approval Standards: Public Schools and School Administrative Units ftp://ftp.state.me.us/pub/sos/cec/rcn/apa/05/071/071c125.doc Ch. 126 Immunization Requirements for Children ftp://ftp.state.me.us/pub/sos/cec/rcn/apa/05/071/071c126.doc Ch. 127 Instructional Program, Assessment, and Diploma Requirements ftp://ftp.state.me.us/pub/sos/cec/rcn/apa/05/071/071c127.doc Ch. 161?Purchase and Storage of Hazardous Chemicals http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/05/071/071c161.doc Ch. 408?20-A, Chapter 11, Part 2, Subchapter 1, Section 1001, Subsection 16, Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan http://janus.state.me.us/legis/ros/lom/LOM123rd/PUBLIC408.asp From David.Connerty-Marin at maine.gov Wed Aug 19 13:11:33 2009 From: David.Connerty-Marin at maine.gov (Connerty-Marin, David) Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:11:33 -0400 Subject: Reminder re: implementation of School Facilities Management System (SFMS) Message-ID: Reminder re: implementation of School Facilities Management System (SFMS) Informational Letter #11 (http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=edu_letters&id=77675&v=article), dated August 6, 2009, provided instructions for school administrative units regarding implementation of the new School Facilities Management System (SFMS). 1. The deadline for submitting the name of your system administrator was Friday August 14th.? If you have not yet done so, please send an email to mailto:sfms.training at maine.gov with the name of your system administrator, their title, email address, telephone number, and the name of your SAU.? We must have this information in order to send your system administrator an invitation to the training sessions. 2. The next deadline is Friday, August 21st.? This is the final date for you to verify your building assets and submit your assets list to the Department.? The asset list and instructions are available at http://www.maine.gov/education/const/fmt.htm . 3. The deadline for registering for training is Friday, August 28th. If you have any questions please contact Ann Pinnette at 624-6885 or mailto:ann.pinnette at maine.gov or Scott Brown at 624-6883 or mailto:scott.brown at maine.gov . From David.Connerty-Marin at maine.gov Wed Aug 19 13:42:15 2009 From: David.Connerty-Marin at maine.gov (Connerty-Marin, David) Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:42:15 -0400 Subject: August 28 Financial Conference Details/Registration Message-ID: DETAILS OF THE AUGUST 28 CONFERENCE ON FINANCIAL STRATEGIES Superintendents: you can now register for the August 28 meeting to discuss financial strategies in this uncertain fiscal climate. The meeting will take place at the Augusta Elks Lodge, 397 Civic Center Drive, on Friday, August 28, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. (Directions below) PLEASE REGISTER To register, please email Tammy Morrill in the Commissioner's office at mailto:Tammy.Morrill at maine.gov or call her at 207-624-6605. This meeting was scheduled as a result of discussions with all of you at the Superintendents' Conference, and a meeting Commissioner Gendron held with the Funding Committee. The Department is inviting superintendents to meet and discuss strategies for budgeting in tough times. The already-enacted two-year budget includes a $55 million reduction in state education subsidy (GPA) for FY 11. Due to revenue projections, we need to be prepared for possible additional reductions in state funding for FY 10 and FY 11. We plan to focus on financial strategies during the morning part of the session. After lunch, the Commissioner, Jim Rier, and others, as appropriate, will provide an overview of the federal Race to the Top program and will be available to answer questions regarding this, use of Stabilization Funds and other questions related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Commissioner Gendron will be meeting later this week with Mike Cormier of the MSMA Funding Committee and Sandra MacArthur to finalize the agenda, which we will send in advance of the meeting. DIRECTIONS TO THE ELKS LODGE from their website >From the South: I-95 to exit 112B follow route #27 approx 1 mile >From the North: exit 112 go right and follow route #27 approx 1 mile Lodge is on Right just past traffic light. Address: 397 Civic Center Drive AUGUSTA, ME 04330-8074 David Connerty-Marin Director of Communications Maine Department of Education 207-624-6880 |?207-831-3313 David.Connerty-Marin at Maine.gov From Communications.DOE at maine.gov Wed Aug 26 09:40:16 2009 From: Communications.DOE at maine.gov (DOE, Communications) Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:40:16 -0400 Subject: [DOE Info] Follow-up to Info. Letter #12 - Standards Based Education Message-ID: <32E5C6B0B949584D9B6168C5F727916B06E665A7@SOM-TEAQASMAIL1.som.w2k.state.me.us> As a follow up to Informational Letter #12, materials for the Performance-Based Workshop for Administrators, Sept. 10 & 11, 2009 and the 2009 Maine RISC Fall Symposium, Sept. 13-15, 2009 are now posted on the MDOE Standards-Based Systems website for viewing and/or downloading at http://www.maine.gov/education/sbs/index.html. On-line registration for either event is available at http:///www.reinventingschools.org. From Communications.DOE at maine.gov Wed Aug 26 12:24:32 2009 From: Communications.DOE at maine.gov (DOE, Communications) Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:24:32 -0400 Subject: [DOE Info] Details of the August 28th Conference on Financial Strategies Message-ID: <32E5C6B0B949584D9B6168C5F727916B06E665AB@SOM-TEAQASMAIL1.som.w2k.state.me.us> Maine Department of Education Managing FY 2010 and 2011 School Budgets in a Time of Decreasing Revenues Friday, August 28, 2009 9:00am ? 1:00pm Augusta Elks Lodge 9:00 ? 9:10am Welcome Outcomes of the Meeting: 1. Overview of the revenue forecast and discussions with the Appropriations Committee 2. Gather input from Superintendents regarding flexibility, stability, and predictability in managing school budgets; maximizing federal non-stabilization funds, sharing successful ideas, and input on statutory limitations 9:10 ? 9:45am Overviews of Discussions with the Appropriations Committee 1. Revenue Forecast 2. Essential Programs and Services (EPS) a. Teacher Ratios b. Special Education c. McKenzie Report 3. Efficiency Strategies a. Regional Collaborative b. Purchasing Portal c. Risk Management 9:45 ? 10:30am Round Table Discussions by Region or Existing Collaborative 1. Discuss and record the issues you anticipate in your district for FY 2010 and 2011 2. Identify opportunities and barriers for mitigating disruption to educational programs 10:30 ? 10:50am Report Out 10:50 ? 11:30am Flexibility, Stability, Predictability 1. Would you like flexibility between FY 2010 and 2011? ( two year allocation, greater flexibility in building a budget, opportunity to spread reduction over two years, etc.) 2. How DOE can minimize the impact on individual school units? (EPS/Funding Law) 3. Mandates or Statutes that should be changed 4. Round table discussion and report out 11:30 ? 12:00pm Maximizing Federal Opportunities - Title I, IDEA, Race to the Top, Innovative Funds, etc. 12:00 ? 12:30pm Lunch (Apex Learning) 12:30 ? 1:00pm H1N1 - Guidance from USDE school closures - Vaccinations/School Clinics 1:00pm Optional additional assistance for districts that need guidance on Federal Stimulus Funds (use or reporting) DIRECTIONS TO THE AUGUSTA ELKS LODGE From the South: Take I-95 to exit 112B, follow Rt. #27 approximately 1 mile From the North: Take I-95 to exit 112, take a right off the exit and follow Rt. #27 approximately 1 mile The Lodge is on the right hand side just past the traffic light. Address: Augusta Elks Lodge, 397 Civic Center Drive, Augusta, ME 04330 Superintendents: you can now register for the August 28 meeting to discuss financial strategies in this uncertain fiscal climate. The meeting will take place at the Augusta Elks Lodge, 397 Civic Center Drive, on Friday, August 28, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. (Directions below) PLEASE REGISTER To register, please email Tammy Morrill in the Commissioner?s office at tammy.morrill at maine.gov or call her at 207-624-6605. This meeting was scheduled as a result of discussions with all of you at the Superintendents? Conference, and a meeting Commissioner Gendron held with the Funding Committee. The Department is inviting superintendents to meet and discuss strategies for budgeting in tough times. The already-enacted two-year budget includes a $55 million reduction in state education subsidy (GPA) for FY 11. Due to revenue projections, we need to be prepared for possible additional reductions in state funding for FY 10 and FY 11. We plan to focus on financial strategies during the morning part of the session. After lunch, the Commissioner, Jim Rier, and others, as appropriate, will provide an overview of the federal Race to the Top program and will be available to answer questions regarding this, use of Stabilization Funds and other questions related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Commissioner Gendron will be meeting later this week with Mike Cormier of the MSMA Funding Committee and Sandra MacArthur to finalize the agenda, which we will send in advance of the meeting. DIRECTIONS TO THE ELKS LODGE from their website From the South: I-95 to exit 112B follow route #27 approx 1 mile From the North: exit 112 go right and follow route #27 approx 1 mile Lodge is on Right just past traffic light. Address: 397 Civic Center Drive AUGUSTA, ME 04330-8074 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mailman.informe.org/pipermail/doe_letters/attachments/20090826/f58b6b32/attachment-0001.html From Communications.DOE at maine.gov Mon Aug 31 09:55:44 2009 From: Communications.DOE at maine.gov (DOE, Communications) Date: Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:55:44 -0400 Subject: [DOE Info] Info. Letter #15 - Ensuring Safety in our Schools: Homeland Security Grants for Fiscal Year 2009 Message-ID: <32E5C6B0B949584D9B6168C5F727916B06E665BD@SOM-TEAQASMAIL1.som.w2k.state.me.us> ====================================================== TO:? ALL SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS The following message is being sent at the request of the Commissioner. ?Note:? The Administrative and Informational Letters (with more formatting for ease of reading and printing) are available on our website at the following address: http://www.maine.gov/education/edletrs/index.shtml ====================================================== INFORMATIONAL LETTER NO:?15 POLICY CODE:?EBCA TO: Superintendents, Heads of Private Schools, School Board Chairs FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner of Education DATE: August 31, 2009 SUBJECT: Ensuring Safety in our Schools: Homeland Security Grants for Fiscal Year 2009 Department of Homeland Security grants are available for SAUs interested in coordinating emergency management initiatives with their County Emergency Management Agencies (EMAs).?The grant application guidance is posted on the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) website. I am including below a link to the MEMA website and the page devoted to the Department of Homeland Security Grants: Current Fiscal Year 2009.?The total amount of grant funds is $2.277 million. Security priorities and grant application criteria include: All-hazards emergency planning Interoperable communications Training and exercise Public education and awareness NIMS (National Incident Management System) compliance measures School district emergency planning Applications for the grants can be made through your County Emergency Management Agency no later than the close of business on Friday, September 25, 2009. I realize this does not afford a significant amount of time to work on the grant proposals; however, I'm sure that your County Emergency Management Director will be an excellent resource to assist you with targeting your emergency management needs for the grant proposal. The link to the MEMA page is: http://www.maine.gov/mema/homeland/home_grants_current.shtml.?The page includes awards and grant application materials for your reference. Please feel free to contact Edwin N. Kastuck, Ph.D. School Approval Services at edwin.kastuck at maine.gov or 624-6776 or Rick Soules, Director, Pupil Transportation Services at richard.j.soules at maine.gov or 624-6884 if you have questions regarding the grants or any other aspects of school emergency management. Thank you.