[MLTI-HS] Informational Letter 102: Maine Learning Technology Initiative Grades 7-12

[Laura Brown]

Maine Learning Technology Initiative Grades 7-12

May 20, 2009

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 102
POLICY CODE: IHAJ

TO : Superintendents of Schools, Principals, Business Managers, Technology
Coordinators
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: May 19, 2009
RE: Maine Learning Technology Initiative Grades 7-12

The State of Maine budget is in the final stages of review. Please note the
proposed language related to the Maine Learning Technology Initiative at the
end of this letter.

We recognize that we are much later in the calendar year than we had hoped
to be at this stage of the new proposed deployment. We appreciate your
patience and attention to this information and these required actions. In
order for the Department and Apple, Inc. to prepare, deliver, and implement
the next phase of the program, it is imperative that local and State work be
closely integrated to prepare for the Fall. Please review the materials
below and return the necessary forms and paperwork by no later than 12 pm,
May 29, 2009.

For all Public Schools serving grades 7-12, please download ³MLTI
Participation Packet 2009² at:

http://www.maine.gov/mlti/deployment/

The MLTI Project team at the Department of Education will be hosting several
one-hour conference calls for any questions around this process. Please call
the following number during one of these times:

CALL INFO:
1-877-760-2043
Passcode: 939403

DATES & TIMES: Thursday, May 21, 9-10 am
Thursday, May 21, 3-4 pm
Friday, May 22, 9-10 am

For any questions about this process, please contact Steve Vose at (207)
592-5537, steve.vose at maine.gov, Laura Brown at (207) 624-6746,
laura.brown at maine.gov, or Jeff Mao at (207) 624-6634.

Proposed Budgetary language Sec. GGG-1. Lease-purchase authorization; Maine
Learning Technology Initiative. Pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes,
Title 5, section 1587, the Department of Administrative and Financial
Services on behalf of the Department of Education may enter into financing
arrangements in fiscal year 2009-10 for the acquisition of portable computer
systems for 7th grade, 8th grade and high school students and educators to
support the operations of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative program.
The financing agreements may not exceed 4 years in duration and $69,696,000
in principal costs for the Maine Learning Technology Initiative program. The
interest rate may not exceed 7.5%, and the total interest costs may not
exceed $5,227,220. The annual principal and interest costs must be paid from
the appropriate line category allocations in the Department of Education.
The State is authorized to extend the provisions of the lease purchase
agreement on behalf of school administrative units as long as all costs of
the extension are borne by the school administrative unit.

Sec. GGG-2. Effect on state and local share of school funding; findings. The
Legislature recognizes that the expansion of the Maine Learning Technology
Initiative program authorized pursuant to this Part requires the commitment
of state and local funding in fiscal years 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 and
2012-13 at a time when the amount of the State General Fund appropriation
for the General Purpose Aid for Local Schools program is declining and may
continue to decline due to significant disruptions to the state and national
economies. The Legislature also recognizes that those school administrative
units that choose to participate in the expansion of the Maine Learning
Technology Initiative program authorized pursuant to this Part may decide to
commit a significant portion of the targeted technology resource funds
allocated to the participating school administrative units pursuant to Maine
Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15681, subsection 1 to fund the cost
of participating in the program.

Sec. GGG-3. Legislative intent; option to voluntarily participate. It is the
intent of the Legislature that nothing in this Part requires a school
administrative unit to participate in the expansion of the Maine Learning
Technology Initiative program. It is also the intent of the Legislature that
neither the expansion of the Maine Learning Technology Initiative program
under this Part nor the benefits provided under this program to
participating school administrative units serve as justification to decrease
other funds appropriated or allocated to school administrative units
currently participating in the middle school program established for 7th and
8th grade students and educators and funded by State General Fund
appropriations allocated to the middle school laptop program pursuant to
Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15689-A, subsection 8.