The Maine School Boards Association and the Maine School Superintendents Association are pleased to announce the Cultural Competence Institute (CCI) for all Maine educators, presented by Lawrence Alexander from Carney Sandoe and Associates Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Practice Group. Click here to read Lawrence Alexander’s bio. An Overview of the Cultural... READ MORE >
21 retired nurses join ranks with Maine Department of Education to support schools in their contract tracing efforts and notification Augusta, MAINE – Commissioner of Education Pender Makin today announced the deployment of a team of Department of Education Contact Tracers. A cadre of nurses, many retired from years of employment in Maine schools, have... READ MORE >
The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. The event culminated an effort by Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation who rode across the nation on horseback seeking approval from 24 state governments to have a day to honor American Indians. More than seven decades later, then-President George H.W. Bush in 1990 signed a joint... READ MORE >
Maine’s school leaders are diligently enforcing safety rules to keep students and staff safe as the second surge of the COVID virus sweeps across the country and want to keep schools open so students can remain engaged in their education in one of the safer places to be right now. Mask wearing and social distancing continue to be the most... READ MORE >
More than 730 students in rural Maine will have access to highspeed broadband to support remote learning by the end of the year through the Governor’s ConnectKidsNow! Initiative Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration has awarded $5.6 million in CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) monies to fund the construction of permanent internet... READ MORE >
“Public Education: Embracing Our Future Together” is the theme of this year’s Fall Conference to be held virtually this year on Friday and Saturday, October 30 and 31. The two days being planned will be informative and inspiring. Highlights include the following: KEYNOTE: Judge John Broderick, Jr. - Senior Director, External Affairs and Former Chief Justice,... READ MORE >
Governor Mills has issued an executive order that addresses potential teacher, support staff and administrator shortages in schools this year because of the pandemic by allowing emergency certification with the approval of the Department of Education. The order allows the DOE to issue an emergency teacher certification to people who hold a... READ MORE >
School Board members and superintendents are urged to support Question 1 on the July 14 ballot, which would approve a $15 million bond to invest in high speed internet in underserved areas and be used to match up to $30 million in federal, private, local or other funds. MSBA and MSSA testified in support of the bill authorizing the bond question, noting that... READ MORE >
The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with a diverse group of stakeholders and experts in the field, has created this initial iteration of a framework to assist in planning for a safe return to in-person instruction. It should be noted that this framework will be further developed and will evolve as additional information and guidance is provided... READ MORE >
On May 5, 2020 the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that Maine, North Dakota, West Virginia and Vermont were approved to operate Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT), a new program authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which provides assistance to families of children eligible for free or reduced-price meals... READ MORE >
Last week a virtual panel discussion was held regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and: Lessons from past outbreaks that we can draw from today Strategies for communicating with students, parents, and staff during a crisis Practical advice for how to manage resource distribution What's next as districts start to plan for the reopening... READ MORE >
The New York Times (3/20, Green) reported “elementary and secondary schools will not be required to do standardized testing,” Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced Friday. The testing waiver was “widely embraced by state and district superintendents who had been pressuring the department to issue expedited relief from federal testing mandates, which are tied to... READ MORE >
WHEREAS, I proclaimed a state of emergency on March 15, 2020 to authorize the use of emergency powers in order to expand and expedite the State’s response to the many different effects of COVID-19;WHEREAS, the State has taken many essential actions including a suspension of K-12 in-person classroom instruction across the State;WHEREAS, school districts are... READ MORE >
The governor’s supplemental budget including the General Purpose Aid reflected in the spreadsheets (ED 279s) sent out to districts in late January is making its way through the Legislature today after receiving unanimous, bipartisan support from the Appropriations Committee Monday evening. The proposal brings the increase in GPA for ... READ MORE >
Please click the link below for updates/resources on COVID-19: https://www.msmaweb.com/o/msma... READ MORE >
L.D. 900, An Act To Expand the Rights of Public Employees under the Maine Labor Laws, which would allow public employees, including teachers, to strike is before the House of Representatives today (Please note, it was added to the House calendar this morning.) Please contact your House and Senate representatives and tell them why a strike is not in the best... READ MORE >
Washington, D.C.: Following the Department of Education’s announcement to halt a change to the methodology that determines which rural schools are eligible for funding through the Rural Low-Income Schools (RLIS) program, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) released a statement on this major win for more than 800 rural, low-income... READ MORE >
Response team met yesterday to build on Maine CDC’s work in coordinating coronavirus preparation and response to protect public health Governor Janet Mills convened her Coronavirus Response Team charged with coordinating State government’s response across departments and local agencies and health authorities to the potential spread of novel coronavirus, also known... READ MORE >
Maine DOE Newsroom Reminders for School Communities Regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus! Please note that at this time Maine has no confirmed cases associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The Maine Department of Education, in collaboration with, and with guidance from The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), issued... READ MORE >
A bill that limits a district’s ability to transfer teachers is being heard in the Education Committee on Feb. 18, and we need you to reach out to legislators on that committee and tell them why the proposal needs to be defeated. L.D. 1857, An Act To Protect Teachers from Punitive or Retaliatory Transfers, would limit the School Board’s ability to transfer... READ MORE >
The Department of Education has released preliminary ED 279s showing state aid for districts in 2020-21. Linked below is a spreadsheet showing the preliminary distribution for all districts. There has been an increase in aid that allows a lowering of the required local mil rate to 8.18. Minimum receivers will see an increase in subsidy... READ MORE >
The following bills submitted by legislators and affecting the operation of schools and labor law have been accepted for consideration by the next session of the Legislature when it convenes in January 2020. LR: 2861, An Act Regarding the Negotiation of Educational Policies by School Boards. Sponsor: Representative Brennan of Portland. This bill deals with the... READ MORE >
Planson International, a global IT solutions provider to international organizations focused on development, sustainability and emergency response, has received the Business Friend of Education Award from the Maine School Boards Association. The firm is woman-owned, headquartered in New Gloucester with offices in Denmark, and has been a generous and active partner... READ MORE >
Carl Soderberg of Soderberg Construction has received the Business Friend of Education Award from the Maine School Boards Association for facilitating significant construction projects that have benefited Caribou Schools within RSU 39. The award was presented by MSBA President Kim Bedard at the Maine School Management Association’s Annual Conference on Oct. 24. ... READ MORE >
Dr. Don Burgess, a pediatrician at Southern Maine Health Care, has received the Maine School Boards Association Distinguished Service Award for his dedication and leadership to keep children safe and healthy. The award was announced at the Maine School Management Association’s Annual Fall Conference in Augusta on Oct. 24. He was nominated by the RSU 21 School... READ MORE >
Dr. Chris Record, the Assistant Superintendent for the Gorham School Department, has been named Maine’s 2020 Assistant Superintendent of the Year for his commitment and focus on creating an environment where all students can learn. Record has led the Gorham School Department through meaningful professional development to help support students who are struggling... READ MORE >
Dr. David W. Murphy, superintendent of schools in SAD 44, Bethel, since 2002, has been named Maine’s 2020 Superintendent of the Year – a testament to his belief that all students can be successful with the right support. Superintendent Murphy was selected by a committee of his peers, including former Superintendent of the Year recipients, Maine School... READ MORE >
The Legislature has released a list of just over 400 bill titles that have been put in by legislators for next session, including 36 to be heard by the Education Committee and a handful of bills going before the Labor Committee and Appropriations Committee that could affect public schools. Those titles include references to protecting teachers around punitive... READ MORE >
It is time to register for the 46th Annual MSMA Fall Conference. We are very pleased with the keynote and endnote speakers, number and content of "clinics", and new and returning exhibitors. Registration should be made through the superintendent's office. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions. We encourage student board members to attend. Please... READ MORE >
The Maine Charter School Commission has moved forward one applicant for the final available slot under the state’s 10-charter-school limit for a high school in Waldo County targeting rural students. A hearing was held on August 7th for the Ecology Learning Center, which would be located in Montville. It is described as offering experiential, community-based... READ MORE >
Below are highlights of bills that largely go into effect this school year or require preparation for the following year. It is not a comprehensive list of all bills passed. To see that list, go to Legislative News Issue 1920-01. Amendments to Teacher Evaluation Process Districts will not be required to use Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) and standardized test... READ MORE >