20-A M.R.S. § 7405-E — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 304 / Section 7405-E
20-A §7405-E. Placement; Mackworth Island preschool and site-based programs
Status: in_force

Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, the following provisions apply to student placement. [PL 2021, c. 646, §9 (NEW).]

1. Placement. The State's intermediate educational unit or the school administrative unit in which a deaf or hard-of-hearing student resides is responsible for providing a free, appropriate public education pursuant to chapter 301 for a student placed in the Mackworth Island preschool program or a site-based program and for providing statewide education and family services. An individualized education program or 504 plan team for a school administrative unit or Child Development Services System regional site under section 7209 in which a deaf or hard-of-hearing student resides is responsible for the placement decision for that student. When the Mackworth Island preschool or a site-based program is being considered as a placement for a student, the school administrative unit or Child Development Services System regional site administrator shall invite the center's administrator, or the administrator's designee, and the host school's special education director, or the director's designee, to attend the individualized education program or 504 plan team meeting at which the placement is being considered. In collaboration with the student's individualized education program or 504 plan team, the administrator and the host school's director are responsible for determining if the child's needs can be served within the existing deaf education site-based program in accordance with the enrollment criteria established through the memorandum of understanding between the center and the host school. [PL 2021, c. 646, §9 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 8462 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 313 / Section 8462
20-A §8462. Regional budget meeting approval method
Status: in_force

1. Method of notice. A regional budget meeting must be called by a warrant. The warrant must be signed by a majority of the cooperative board. The following procedures apply to the warrant. A. The warrant must specify the time and place of the regional budget meeting. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] B. The warrant must be directed by name to any resident within the region ordering the resident to notify all voters within the region to assemble at the time and place specified for the regional budget meeting. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] C. The warrant must include the budget articles that the cooperative board considers necessary to place before the voters. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] D. An attested copy of the warrant must be posted by the person to whom it is directed in some conspicuous public place in each municipality within the region at least 7 days before the regional budget meeting. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] E. The person who gives notice of the regional budget meeting by posting the warrant shall complete the return on the warrant stating the manner of notice and location and time of posting in each municipality within the region. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] F. A detailed supportive budget document must accompany the warrant and be made available in sufficient quantities to the legislative body of each municipality in the region and to the voters present at the regional budget meeting. The supportive document must contain a summary of estimated revenues and estimated expenditures for the fiscal year that is the subject of the budget. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).]

2. Procedure. The procedure at and immediately prior to a regional budget meeting must be as follows. A. The cooperative board shall appoint a resident of a municipality within the region to act as the registration clerk for the regional budget meeting. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] B. The registration clerk shall make and keep a voting list of all residents in the region eligible to vote. The clerk shall compile the voting list from the voting lists of all the municipalities within the region. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] C. Each municipal clerk within the region shall deliver to the registration clerk, 5 business days prior to the regional budget meeting, a certified copy of the voting list of the municipality. Additions to or deletions from the list may not be made during the 5 business days prior to the regional budget meeting. Only the persons whose names appear on the voting list may vote at the regional budget meeting on the budget articles presented by the cooperative board. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] D. The chair of the cooperative board or, if the chair is absent, the chair's designee, shall open the regional budget meeting by calling for the election of a moderator, by receiving and counting the votes for each person nominated to such position and by swearing in the person receiving a plurality of the votes cast. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] E. The moderator shall preside over the regional budget meeting. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] F. A career and technical education budget article may be approved only by a majority vote of those present and voting. The vote on each budget article must be to accept or reject each such article as appearing in the budget warrant, or as amended by vote of the regional budget meeting. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 397, Pt. D, §3 (REV).] G. The moderator shall appoint from those persons whose names appear on the certified voting lists as many ballot clerks as necessary for the efficient operation of the regional budget meeting. The ballot clerks must be sworn in by the moderator. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] H. The secretary of the cooperative board, or, if the secretary is absent, the secretary's designee, shall record accurately all the votes of the regional budget meeting. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] I. The cooperative board shall, immediately upon the approval of a budget, compute the share to be paid by each municipality within the region and notify each unit within the region to include its share of the region's budget in the unit's annual school budget. A region's budget must be approved by the method described in this section on or before August 1st. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] J. The school officials of each unit in the region shall place on the school warrant for payment the first of each month a sum equal to 1/12 of the unit's share of the region's budget. [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD).] [PL 1991, c. 518, §28 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 397, Pt. D, §3 (REV).]
20-A M.R.S. § 4512 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 206 / Section 4512
20-A §4512. Implementation
Status: in_force

1. Accreditation optional. Any approved school may, through its school board, apply for accreditation. [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§ 20, 25 (NEW).]

2. Implementation. The commissioner shall determine which schools and school units meet the requirements of accreditation, in accordance with adopted rules and this Title. [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§ 20, 25 (NEW).]

3. Comprehensive reviews. The commissioner shall, on a one-year to 5-year cycle, make a comprehensive review of each accredited school to determine whether the school is continuing to meet the accreditation standards. [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§ 20, 25 (NEW).]

4. Rules. Accreditation rules shall be adopted in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375 . [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§ 20, 25 (NEW).]

5. Accreditation process. All school administrative units operating a secondary school shall undergo the state accreditation process on a 5-year cycle as established by the commissioner starting in the 1989-90 school year. Upon request from a secondary school, the commissioner shall have the authority to grant a waiver from the accreditation process. The commissioner shall grant a waiver on the basis of extenuating circumstances as defined by rule. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §67 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 15688-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 7 / Chapter 606-B / Section 15688-A
20-A §15688-A. Enhancing student performance and opportunity; costs
Status: in_force

Beginning in fiscal year 2013-14, the commissioner may expend and disburse funds to meet the purposes of this section to the appropriate school administrative unit or institution or to meet contractual obligations. [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. C, §12 (NEW).]

1. Career and technical education program components. Beginning in fiscal year 2018-19, the allocation for career and technical education centers and career and technical education regions is based upon a model that recognizes program components that have been approved by the department pursuant to chapter 313 for: A. Direct instruction. The direct instruction component includes personnel costs for teachers, education technicians for programs and clinical supervisors for health care programs. The allocation for direct instruction is the sum of the costs as determined based on the following components, which the commissioner shall determine annually: (1) A teacher salary matrix. In determining the teacher salary matrix for each program, the commissioner shall give consideration to the most recent available data regarding years of education experience and years of professional work experience relevant to instructional assignment; (2) Student-to-teacher ratios for each program; (3) The number of education technicians required for purposes of instructional support, based on student enrollment and program requirements. The commissioner shall calculate the education technician allocation by multiplying the number of education technicians required by the statewide average salary for full-time education technicians, based on the most recent available salary data, but shall ensure that each career and technical education center or career and technical education region is allocated at least one full-time education technician; and (4) The clinical supervision staffing level necessary for each program requiring such staffing, based on student enrollment as determined pursuant to paragraph G ; [PL 2017, c. 420, §8 (NEW).] B. Central administration. The central administration component includes personnel costs for directors, assistant directors and clerical staff working in career and technical education centers and career and technical education regions, as well as business managers working in career and technical education regions. The central administration allocation is the sum of: (1) Costs for personnel for each career and technical education center and career and technical education region, as follows: (a) A director, the allocation for which must be for one full-time equivalent; (b) An assistant director, the allocation for which must be based on student enrollment as determined pursuant to paragraph G but may not exceed one full-time equivalent; (c) Clerical staff, the allocation for which must be for at least one full-time equivalent, with additional clerical staff allocations based on student enrollment as determined pursuant to paragraph G ; (d) A career and technical education region business manager, the allocation for which must be for one full-time equivalent; and (e) Benefit costs for employees in central administration, which must be calculated pursuant to section 15678, subsection 5, paragraph B ; and (2) Nonpersonnel costs, which the commissioner shall calculate annually based upon the relationship of the most recent available career and technical education expenditures for nonpersonnel costs to personnel costs; [PL 2017, c. 420, §8 (NEW).] C. Supplies and other expenditures such as purchased services, dues and fees for instructional programs. The allocation for supplies and other expenditures is the sum of: (1) A per-program allocation for supplies, as determined by the commissioner based on the most recent available career and technical education expenditures amount, adjusted to the year prior to the allocation year; and (2) A per-pupil allocation for each student in each career and technical education center and each career and technical education region, determined by the commissioner based on: (a) The most recent available career and technical education expenditures amount, adjusted for inflation to the year prior to the allocation year; and (b) Student enrollment, as determined pursuant to paragraph G ; [PL 2017, c. 420, §8 (NEW).] D. Plant operation and maintenance, including all costs for operating and maintaining buildings and grounds. The commissioner shall determine the allocation for plant operation and maintenance costs for each career and technical education center and each career and technical education region by multiplying the square footage of the career and technical education center or career and technical education region building by an amount per square foot, as determined by the commissioner; [PL 2017, c. 420, §8 (NEW).] E. Other student and staff support, which includes costs for student services coordination, career preparation, instructional technology, professional development, student assessment and program safety. The other student and staff support allocation is the sum of the costs for: (1) A counselor, the allocation for which must be for one full-time equivalent, to collaborate with sending school guidance counselors in order to maximize student participation at the middle school and high school grade levels; (2) Career and technical education center or career and technical education region student services coordinators, the allocation for which must be based on student enrollment, as determined pursuant to paragraph G , but no less than one full-time equivalent; (3) Benefit costs for employees under this paragraph, calculated pursuant to section 15678, subsection 5, paragraph B ; and (4) Instructional technology, staff professional development, student assessment and program safety. The commissioner shall calculate a per-pupil allocation for this allocation based upon student enrollment, as determined pursuant to paragraph G , and the relationship of the most recent available career and technical education expenditures for these costs to total costs, adjusted to the year prior to the allocation year; [PL 2017, c. 420, §8 (NEW).] F. Equipment provided pursuant to subsection 6 ; and [PL 2017, c. 420, §8 (NEW).] G. Student enrollment, which is determined as follows. (1) For each program or plan approved pursuant to chapter 313 that has 3 years of attending student counts on October 1st, student enrollment is a 3-year average of the attending student counts on October 1st for that program or plan. (2) For each program or plan approved pursuant to chapter 313 that is not governed by subparagraph (1), including a new program or plan approved pursuant to chapter 313 , student enrollment must be based on the estimated attending student count submitted in accordance with the application for the program or plan approval. This estimated attending student count must be used until the program or plan has 3 consecutive years of actual attending student counts on October 1st. [PL 2017, c. 420, §8 (NEW).] In fiscal year 2019-20, the total allocation for a career and technical education center or career and technical education region is the sum of the components in paragraphs A to E , except if the sum of the components in paragraphs A to E is less than the most recent expenditure data, as adjusted for inflation to the year prior to the allocation year, the career and technical education center or career and technical education region may not receive less than the adjusted expenditure, and if the sum of the components in paragraphs A to E is more than 5% greater than the most recent expenditure data, as adjusted for inflation to the year prior to the allocation year, then the career and technical education center or career and technical education region may not receive more than the adjusted expenditures plus 5%. In fiscal year 2020-21, fiscal year 2021-22 and fiscal year 2022-23, the total allocation for a career and technical education center or career and technical education region is the sum of the components in paragraphs A to E , except if the sum of the components in paragraphs A to E is less than the most recent expenditure data, as adjusted for inflation to the year prior to the allocation year, the total allocation must be determined pursuant to subsection 1‑A . If the sum of the components in paragraphs A to E is more than 15% greater than the most recent expenditure data, as adjusted for inflation to the year prior to the allocation year, the career and technical education center or career and technical education region may not receive more than the adjusted expenditures plus 15%. Beginning in fiscal year 2023-24, the total allocation for a career and technical education center or career and technical education region is the sum of components in paragraphs A to E . The commissioner shall authorize monthly payment of allocations to career and technical education centers and career and technical education regions in an amount equal to 1/12 of the total allocation. Payments for satellite programs as approved pursuant to chapter 313 must be made within this schedule to the responsible career and technical education center or career and technical education region; it is the responsibility of the career and technical education center or career and technical education region to provide the state support for the approved satellite program to the school administrative unit that operates the approved satellite program. If a school administrative unit operating a career and technical education center or career and technical education region has any unexpended funds at the end of the fiscal year, these funds must be carried forward for the purposes of career and technical education. [PL 2019, c. 616, Pt. C, §5 (AMD).]

1-A. Transition period for career and technical education program components. In fiscal year 2020-21, fiscal year 2021-22 and fiscal year 2022-23, referred to in this subsection as "the transition period," the total allocation for career and technical education centers and career and technical education regions is subject to a transition period adjustment to align the total allocation for career and technical education centers and career and technical education regions with the career and technical education program components in subsection 1 . A. In each fiscal year of the transition period, the commissioner shall identify each career and technical education center and career and technical education region for which the sum of the components in subsection 1, paragraphs A to E is less than the most recent expenditure data, as adjusted for inflation to the year prior to the allocation year, or more than the most recent expenditure data, as adjusted for inflation to the year prior to the allocation year. [PL 2019, c. 343, Pt. AAAAA, §2 (NEW).] B. In each fiscal year of the transition period, the commissioner shall calculate an adjustment to the total allocation for each career and technical education center and career and technical education region identified pursuant to paragraph A . The calculation must be based on the amounts necessary to transition the career and technical education center or career and technical education region to a total allocation that is equal to the sum of the components in subsection 1, paragraphs A to E by fiscal year 2023-24. In making this calculation, the commissioner shall ensure that the annual adjustment calculated pursuant to this paragraph is reasonably similar over the course of the transition period. [PL 2019, c. 343, Pt. AAAAA, §2 (NEW).] C. During each fiscal year of the transition period, the commissioner shall adjust the total allocation for each career and technical education center and career and technical education region identified pursuant to paragraph A in accordance with the calculation under paragraph B . [PL 2019, c. 343, Pt. AAAAA, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 343, Pt. AAAAA, §2 (NEW).]

2. College transitions programs. The commissioner may expend and disburse funds to provide for expanded access to programs designed to provide college transitions programs through the State's adult education system. [PL 2013, c. 368, Pt. C, §12 (NEW).]

3. Transition to proficiency-based diplomas. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §46 (RP).]

4. New or expanded public preschool programs for children 4 years of age. Beginning in fiscal year 2015-16 and for each subsequent fiscal year, the commissioner may expend and disburse one-time, start-up funds to provide grants for expanded access to public preschool programs for children 4 years of age pursuant to chapter 203, subchapter 3 . The amounts of the grant funding provided to qualified school administrative units pursuant to chapter 203, subchapter 3 are limited to the amounts appropriated, allocated or authorized by the Legislature for the operation of public preschool programs. Any balance of funds appropriated, allocated or authorized by the Legislature remaining at the end of a fiscal year do not lapse and are carried forward to the next fiscal year to carry out the purposes of chapter 203, subchapter 3 . [PL 2013, c. 581, §10 (NEW).]

5. School improvement and support. The commissioner may expend and disburse funds to support school improvement activities to school administrative units whose eligibility and priority is established pursuant to section 6214 in accordance with chapter 222 . [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §47 (AMD).]

6. National industry standards for career and technical education. The commissioner may expend and disburse funds to support enhancements to career and technical education programs that align those programs with national industry standards, in accordance with chapter 313 . [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. C, §11 (NEW).]

7. Educator effectiveness. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §48 (RP).]

8. Projects for middle school career and technical education exploration. The commissioner may expend and disburse funds to career and technical education centers and career and technical education regions for projects for middle school level plans approved pursuant to chapter 313 to create career and technical education exploration programs for middle school level students. The commissioner, in collaboration with career and technical education directors, also may contract for services to implement projects for middle school level plans. A middle school level plan must demonstrate to the commissioner a partnership between a school administrative unit and a career and technical education center or career and technical education region. [PL 2023, c. 17, Pt. C, §1 (AMD).]

9. Regional school leadership academy. Beginning in fiscal year 2020‑21, the commissioner may expend and disburse funds to support the establishment of regional school leadership academies pursuant to chapter 502‑C . [PL 2019, c. 70, §7 (NEW).]

10. Career and technical education early childhood education program expansion support. Beginning in fiscal year 2022-23, the commissioner may expend and disburse funds to career and technical education centers and career and technical education regions for the purpose of expanding or developing early childhood education programs. [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. C, §5 (NEW).]

11. Career and technical education instructional supply cost support. [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. C, §6 (NEW); MRSA T. 20-A §15688-A, sub-§11 (RP).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10911 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 411 / Section 10911
20-A §10911. Report on Maine teacher residency program
Status: in_force

By December 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the university shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters on the status of a Maine teacher residency program administered by the university. [PL 2023, c. 469, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 6602 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 223 / Section 6602
20-A §6602. School food service programs
Status: in_force

Public schools shall provide nonprofit school food service programs as follows. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Participation. A public school shall participate in food service programs. A. A public school shall participate in the National School Lunch Program in accordance with 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 210 (2007) and provide Type A meals as determined by the United States Department of Agriculture. [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. IIII, §1 (NEW).] B. A public school or a private school approved for tuition purposes that enrolls at least 60% publicly funded students as determined by the previous year's October and April average enrollment and participates in the National School Lunch Program in accordance with 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 210 (2007) that serves breakfast shall provide a publicly funded student who is eligible for free and reduced-price meals under paragraph A a meal that meets the requirements of the federal School Breakfast Program set forth in 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 220 (2007) at no cost to the publicly funded student. The State shall provide to the public school or private school approved for tuition purposes funding equal to the difference between the federal reimbursement for a free breakfast and the federal reimbursement for a reduced-price breakfast for each publicly funded student eligible for a reduced-price breakfast and receiving breakfast if the public school or private school approved for tuition purposes meets the requirements of section 6602‑A . [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. C, §1 (AMD).] C. A school administrative unit shall participate in the federal summer food service program for children established in 42 United States Code, Section 1761 as required under this paragraph. The commissioner shall assist school administrative units subject to the requirements of this paragraph in developing a plan to participate in the federal summer food service program for children and in obtaining federal, state and private funds to pay for this program. Beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, a school administrative unit with at least one public school in which at least 50% of students qualified for a free or reduced-price lunch during the preceding school year shall participate in the federal summer food service program for children in accordance with 42 United States Code, Section 1761 during the following summer vacation, subject to the provisions of this paragraph. A school administrative unit with a public school in which at least 50% of students qualified for a free or reduced-price lunch during the preceding school year shall operate a federal summer food service program in the area served by that public school during the following summer vacation if that public school operates a summer educational or recreational program. The school administrative unit is required to operate the federal summer food service program only on days that the public school operates the summer educational or recreational program. The school administrative unit may collaborate with a service institution to operate the federal summer food service program. A school administrative unit with a public school in which at least 50% of students qualified for a free or reduced-price lunch during the preceding school year that does not operate a summer educational or recreational program shall collaborate with a service institution to operate a federal summer food service program if there is a service institution that provides food service to children in the summer in the area served by the public school. Notwithstanding this paragraph, a school administrative unit that is required to operate a federal summer food service program may choose not to operate such a program if it determines by a vote of the governing body of the school administrative unit after notice and a public hearing that operating such a program would be financially or logistically impracticable. For purposes of this paragraph, "service institution" means a public or private nonprofit school, a municipal or county government, a public or private nonprofit higher education institution or a private nonprofit summer camp. [PL 2013, c. 445, §1 (AMD).] D. A public school or a private school approved for tuition purposes that enrolls at least 60% publicly funded students as determined by the previous year's October and April average enrollment and participates in the National School Lunch Program in accordance with 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 210 (2007) that serves lunch shall provide a publicly funded student who is eligible for free and reduced-price meals under paragraph A a meal that meets the requirements of the federal National School Lunch Program set forth in 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 210 (2019) at no cost to the publicly funded student. The State shall provide to the public school or private school approved for tuition purposes funding equal to the difference between the federal reimbursement for a free lunch and the federal reimbursement for a reduced-price lunch for each publicly funded student eligible for a reduced-price lunch and receiving lunch if the public school or private school approved for tuition purposes meets the requirements of section 6602‑A . [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. C, §2 (AMD).] Revisor's Note: (Paragraph D as enacted by PL 2019, c. 428, §1 is REALLOCATED TO TITLE 20-A, SECTION 6602, SUBSECTION 1, PARAGRAPH E) E. (REALLOCATED FROM T. 20-A, §6602, sub-§1, ¶D) A school administrative unit shall participate in the federal child and adult care food program established in 42 United States Code, Section 1766 as required under this paragraph. The commissioner shall assist school administrative units subject to the requirements of this paragraph in developing a plan to participate in the federal child and adult care food program to serve at‑risk students who attend after‑school programming and in obtaining federal, state and private funds to pay for this program. Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, a school administrative unit with at least one public school in which at least 50% of students qualified for a free or reduced-price lunch during the preceding school year shall participate in the federal child and adult care food program in accordance with 42 United States Code, Section 1766 during the school year, subject to the provisions of this paragraph. Notwithstanding other provisions of this paragraph, a school administrative unit that is required to operate a federal child and adult care food program may choose not to operate such a program if it determines by a vote of the governing body of the school administrative unit after notice and a public hearing that operating such a program would be financially or logistically impracticable. [PL 2019, c. 428, §1 (NEW); RR 2019, c. 1, Pt. A, §18 (RAL).] F. Except as provided under paragraph G , a school administrative unit with a public school in which at least 50% of students qualified for a free or reduced‑price lunch during the preceding school year shall operate an alternative breakfast delivery service that provides breakfast after the start of the school day and before any lunch period in the school begins for students at that public school. A school administrative unit with a public school in which at least 70% of students who are eligible for free and reduced‑price meals under paragraph A participate in the breakfast program under paragraph B is exempt from the requirements of this paragraph. The department shall publish annually, by July 1, 2020 and every July 1st thereafter, on its publicly accessible website, information regarding schools required to comply with and schools exempt from this paragraph in the preceding school year, including, but not limited to, the name of the school, any alternative breakfast delivery service operated, free and reduced‑price breakfast participation rate and the financial impact of the program on the school nutrition budget. [PL 2019, c. 556, §1 (NEW).] G. A school administrative unit subject to paragraph F may opt out of the alternative breakfast delivery service required under paragraph F if the following conditions are met: (1) The governing body of the school administrative unit holds a public hearing regarding the service. The governing body of the school administrative unit shall post public notice in each municipality in the unit of the time and location of the hearing at least 10 days before the hearing. The chair of the governing body of the school administrative unit shall conduct the hearing; (2) The school administrative unit submits to the governing body a detailed cost‑benefit analysis and any other material that demonstrates that implementing the alternative breakfast delivery service would cause undue financial or logistical hardship; (3) The public and the governing body of the school administrative unit evaluate the cost‑benefit analysis and any written material submitted for purposes of this paragraph; (4) Within 30 days of the public hearing under subparagraph (1), the governing body of the school administrative unit, by majority vote, determines that an alternative breakfast delivery service is not financially or logistically viable and that the school administrative unit will opt out; and (5) The governing body of the school administrative unit notifies the department of the vote to opt out under subparagraph (4). Opting out under this paragraph must be renewed every 2 years. A school administrative unit with a public school shall notify the department of the intent to renew its decision to opt out under this paragraph before the end of the 2nd school year after the previous vote. The department shall adopt rules to implement this paragraph including rules governing the application process and standards to address evaluation criteria based on need for the funding of alternative breakfast delivery services in school administrative units. The rules must include procedures to track health and academic outcomes through data collection and evaluation of students and schools that participate in alternative breakfast delivery services. Procedures to track health and academic outcomes must include tracking and ensuring that all public schools required to implement the alternative breakfast delivery service are demonstrating at least an annual 10 percentage point increase in their school breakfast participation rate. If the department determines that a participating public school has not increased its breakfast participation rate by at least 10 percentage points, the department shall provide written notification including improvement strategies to the public school. Upon receipt of written notification by the department, a public school that has not increased its breakfast participation rate by at least 10 percentage points shall submit a final plan within 30 days after the start of the next school year documenting new strategies to increase its breakfast participation rate. A public school that demonstrates a successful breakfast program, which means that at least 70% of the students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals under paragraph A are participating in the breakfast program under paragraph B , is not required to meet the annual 10 percentage point breakfast participation rate increase as long as that public school maintains at least a 70% breakfast participation rate. Rules adopted pursuant to this paragraph are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2019, c. 556, §2 (NEW).] H. A public school or a private school approved for tuition purposes that enrolls at least 60% publicly funded students as determined by the previous year's October and April average enrollment and participates in the National School Lunch Program in accordance with 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 210 (2007) that serves breakfast shall provide a publicly funded student who is ineligible for free or reduced-price meals under paragraph A a meal that meets the requirements of the federal School Breakfast Program set forth in 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 220 (2007) at no cost to the publicly funded student. The State shall provide to the public school or private school approved for tuition purposes funding equal to the difference between the federal reimbursement for a free breakfast and the federal reimbursement for a full-price regular breakfast for each publicly funded student ineligible for a free or reduced-price breakfast and receiving breakfast if the public school or private school approved for tuition purposes meets the requirements of section 6602‑A . [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. C, §3 (AMD).] I. A public school or a private school approved for tuition purposes that enrolls at least 60% publicly funded students as determined by the previous year's October and April average enrollment and participates in the National School Lunch Program in accordance with 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 210 (2007) that serves lunch shall provide a publicly funded student who is ineligible for free or reduced-price meals under paragraph A a meal that meets the requirements of the federal National School Lunch Program set forth in 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 210 (2019) at no cost to the publicly funded student. The State shall provide to the public school or private school approved for tuition purposes funding equal to the difference between the federal reimbursement for a free lunch and the federal reimbursement for a full-price lunch for each publicly funded student ineligible for a free or reduced-price lunch and receiving lunch if the public school or private school approved for tuition purposes meets the requirements of section 6602‑A . [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. C, §4 (AMD).] J. A school or school administrative unit shall request the parent or guardian of each student to complete a household income form provided by the department to determine a family's economic status to determine eligibility for state and federal food assistance programs under this subchapter. This requirement does not apply if the school or school administrative unit is able to obtain equivalent information through another means. [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. OOOO, §5 (NEW).] K. The Meals for Students Fund, referred to in this section as "the fund," is established as a nonlapsing, dedicated fund within the Department of Education to provide funds for the costs to the State to pay the difference between the federal reimbursement for a free breakfast or lunch and the full price of a breakfast or lunch for students that are ineligible for a free or reduced-price breakfast or lunch. The fund may receive money from any available state, federal or private source. [PL 2021, c. 398, Pt. OOOO, §6 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 388, Pt. C, §§1-4 (AMD).]

2. Exceptions. The following are exempt from subsection 1, paragraphs A , B and F : A. All secondary schools limited to students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12; and [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. A school administrative unit authorized by the commissioner under subsection 9 to postpone the establishment of the program. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 556, §3 (AMD).]

3. Administration. The school board shall administer and operate the food service programs. The school board: A. Shall make all contracts to provide material, personnel and equipment necessary to carry out section 6601 ; and [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. Shall hire the necessary employees to manage and operate their school food service programs. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

4. Funds. The following shall be used to pay for the administration and operation of food service programs: A. State funds, gifts and appropriations for school food service programs, including state funds specifically for school administrative units with a public school in which at least 50% of students qualified for a free or reduced‑price lunch during the preceding school year that operate an alternative breakfast delivery service that provides breakfast after the start of the school day pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph F ; and [PL 2019, c. 556, §4 (AMD).] B. Receipts from the sale of meals under food service programs. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 2019, c. 556, §4 (AMD).]

5. Rules. The commissioner shall adopt or amend, with the state board's approval, rules under this subchapter, including rules about the qualifications of food service programs' personnel and rules to implement the federal summer food service program for children under subsection 1, paragraph C . To the extent allowed under federal law, rules adopted under this subchapter must allow for the greatest amount of flexibility in meal times and packaging of meals to send home with students. [PL 2023, c. 181, §1 (AMD).]

6. Nutrition report. The commissioner may assess the nutritional benefits of school lunch programs and school breakfast programs and report to the state board. [PL 2007, c. 539, Pt. IIII, §2 (AMD).]

7. Technical assistance. The commissioner may give technical assistance to a school board concerning a food service program and may assist in training food service program personnel. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

8. Application for postponement. An administrative unit, which had been authorized by the commissioner to postpone the establishment of a National School Lunch Program, may apply to the commissioner for a renewal of the postponement. The commissioner may grant the requested postponement provided that: A. The school board has held a public hearing on its proposed application; and [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. One of the following conditions is met: (1) It has been documented to the commissioner's satisfaction that the administrative unit lacks space for the program and there is no appropriate alternative source of meals for the students; (2) It is impossible for the administrative unit to contract for or to otherwise procure Type A meals for its students; or (3) The lack of need for the program, as determined by the school board is documented to the commissioner's satisfaction and was evident at the public hearing. [PL 1983, c. 422, §18 (AMD).] If the postponement is granted for the conditions in paragraph B, subparagraphs (1) and (2), it shall be for 3 years. If the postponement is granted for the condition in paragraph B , subparagraph (3), it shall be for 4 years. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §68 (AMD).]

8-A. State board review of commissioner's decisions. A school administrative unit or interested parties may request that the state board reconsider decisions made by the commissioner in subsection 8 . The state board shall have the authority to overturn decisions made by the commissioner. In exercising this power, the state board is limited by this section. [PL 1987, c. 395, Pt. A, §69 (NEW).]

9. Annual review of postponement. The commissioner shall annually review the conditions in the school administrative units which have been granted a postponement. On finding that the conditions in a unit have changed so that a postponement is no longer warranted, the commissioner may require that the unit establish a National School Lunch Program at the start of the next school year. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

10. Petition by 1% of residential unit. Whenever petitioned by 1% of the residents of a unit, the commissioner shall call a public hearing on the postponement prior to the next annual review. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

11. The state may administer. The state may administer the programs under the United States Child Nutrition Act, Public Law 89-642 in nonprofit, private schools, provided that the State shall not be required to appropriate or distribute state funds for meals served in private schools to those private schools. [PL 1983, c. 276 (NEW).]

12. Local Foods Fund. The Local Foods Fund is established within the department. The fund is authorized to receive revenue from public and private sources. The fund must be held separate and apart from all other money, funds and accounts. Any balance remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year must be carried forward to the next fiscal year. The fund must be used to match $1 for every $2 a school administrative unit pays for produce, value-added dairy, protein, including seafood, or processed foods purchased directly from a farmer, person who fishes commercially, aquaculture farmer, farmers' cooperative, aquaculture farmers' cooperative, local food hub, local food processor or food service distributor in the State, to a maximum state contribution of $10,000 per school administrative unit in fiscal year 2025-26 and subsequent years or $11,000 per school administrative unit if funding is received and the school administrative unit sends a food service employee to local foods training administered by the department under subsection 13 . All foods purchased using the fund must be grown, caught or produced in the State, with the exception of processed and value-added food products produced in the State, which must meet standards set by the department. The department shall create standards for allowable processed and value‑added food products produced in the State and provide guidance to school administrative units regarding which of those products are allowable for reimbursement under this subsection and subsection 12‑A . At the end of the fiscal year, the school administrative unit may provide the department with receipts documenting purchases pursuant to this subsection during that year. Reimbursement or partial reimbursement to school administrative units may only be made up to the amount available in the fund. Failure to reimburse does not constitute an obligation on behalf of the State to a school administrative unit. The department shall apply for federal grant funding to provide state contributions in excess of $5,000 per school administrative unit in fiscal year 2021-22 and subsequent years pursuant to this subsection if applicable grant funding is available. The department may accept grant funding from hospitals and other sources to provide state contributions in excess of $5,000 per school administrative unit in fiscal year 2021-22 and subsequent years pursuant to this subsection. Any available unexpended balance remaining at the end of a fiscal year may be used for training and materials related to the Local Foods Fund programs. [PL 2025, c. 301, §1 (AMD).]

12-A. Local Foods Fund reimbursement. Reimbursement or partial reimbursement to school administrative units may be made only up to the amount appropriated to support the provisions of the Local Foods Fund as established in subsection 12 . Funds appropriated for this purpose do not lapse but must be carried forward to the next fiscal year to be used for the same purpose or for training and materials related to the Local Foods Fund programs. [PL 2025, c. 301, §2 (AMD).]

13. Local foods training. The department shall administer a program to encourage and expand the use of local foods in school food service programs. As used in this subsection, unless the context otherwise indicates, "local food" means food produced or harvested by a Maine food producer as defined by Title 7, section 212, subsection 2 , and "food hub" means any business or organization that locates and obtains food from local growers and fisheries and is able to handle the logistics of supplying and delivering local foods to schools. The program must: A. Provide competitive grants for a training program to be conducted in up to 6 regions to provide training throughout the State without cost for local school food service programs to encourage and expand the use of local foods in school food service programs. The training program must emphasize practical training for food preparers, including creative and effective cooking skills using local fresh foods and local food procurement skills. The training program must also inform participants about practical supply chain solutions, including local food hubs and cooperatives within and across each region of the State; [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. OOO, §2 (NEW).] B. Foster collaboration between school food service programs throughout the State; [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. OOO, §2 (NEW).] C. Facilitate and encourage the use of local food hubs; and [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. OOO, §2 (NEW).] D. Provide guidance to schools in the use of local food products and the nutritional attributes of local foods and provide strategies for encouraging maximum knowledge and acceptance of the nutritional value of locally produced food by students and communities. [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. OOO, §2 (NEW).] The department shall apply for federal grant funding to implement this subsection. The department may implement this subsection only if the department receives funding covering the costs of the program under this subsection. Funds received for the purposes of this subsection may be used to contract with 3rd-party entities to provide training. [PL 2025, c. 301, §3 (AMD).]

13-A. Data collection; annual report to Legislature. The department shall collect data on the usage of the Local Foods Fund under subsection 12 and the local foods training program under subsection 13 by school administrative units, including the procurement of seafood. Beginning January 1, 2026 and annually thereafter, the department shall report to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters and marine resources matters on program participation, seafood purchases made by school administrative units and recommendations for program improvement. Each of the joint standing committees may report out legislation related to the content of the report. [PL 2025, c. 301, §4 (NEW).]

14. Food service program personnel; position description. The department shall develop and post a model position description for school food service program personnel on its publicly accessible website. The position description must meet the federal guidelines established under the Nutrition Education and Training Program and Team Nutrition initiative of the National School Lunch Program under 7 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 210. [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. OOO, §2 (NEW).]

15. Food service recognition. The department shall provide for the development of an annual competitive skill-oriented school food service recognition based on criteria developed by the department emphasizing creative and effective use of local food products to attract students to eat healthier meals and snacks and promoting community interest in good nutrition and other factors determined by the department. [PL 2015, c. 267, Pt. OOO, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 3302-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 119 / Section 3302-A
20-A §3302-A. Care of school property
Status: in_force

The commissioner shall have charge of all school property in the unorganized territory. [PL 1985, c. 490, §11 (NEW).]

1. School buildings. The commissioner shall hold and manage the schools of the unorganized territory and provide custody and care, including all necessary repairs, changes and additions to the buildings. [PL 1985, c. 490, §11 (NEW).]

2. Books and equipment. The commissioner shall furnish each school with the books and equipment necessary for the course of study offered in the schools and shall provide students in each school with school books and necessary apparatus without expense to them or their parents. The commissioner shall assure that all necessary school books, apparatus and supplies are seasonably distributed to each school, accurately accounted for and economically used. [PL 1985, c. 490, §11 (NEW).]

3. Ownership of school buildings. School buildings not privately owned in the unorganized territory are declared to be the property of the State and held in trust for the unorganized territory. [PL 1985, c. 490, §11 (NEW).]

4. Use of school property. The commissioner may rent or lease any unused school building or portion of a building for school-related purposes for any purpose which would not interfere with the school programs. The proceeds of the rentals or leases shall be paid to the Unorganized Territory Education and Services Fund established in Title 36, chapter 115 . [PL 1985, c. 603, §2 (AMD).]

5. Disposal of property. The commissioner may sell, transfer or dispose of school property, books or equipment in the unorganized territory. The proceeds of any sale, transfer or disposal shall be paid to the Unorganized Territory Education and Services Fund established in Title 36, chapter 115 . [PL 1985, c. 603, §2 (AMD).]

6. Applicability of general laws relating to illegal conduct. Sections 6804 and 6807 shall apply to the unorganized territory, except that the commissioner shall stand in place of the school administrative unit. To enforce these laws, action may be brought in the District Court or the Superior Court. All forfeitures collected as part of such enforcement actions shall be deposited to the Unorganized Territory School Fund, except that an amount not to exceed the costs of prosecution may be paid, upon court order, to the county treasury. [PL 1985, c. 490, §11 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10901 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 411 / Section 10901
20-A §10901. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Trustees. "Trustees" means the Trustees of the University of Maine System. [PL 1985, c. 779, §46 (AMD).]

2. University. "University" means the University of Maine System. [PL 1985, c. 779, §46 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 4001 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 201 / Section 4001
20-A §4001. Facilities
Status: in_force

The following provisions shall apply to school facilities. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Maintenance and repairs. A school administrative unit shall repair, improve and maintain its facilities with funds from its own budget. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

2. Erect buildings. A school administrative unit may raise money to erect and equip school buildings. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

3. Lease. A school administrative unit may lease facilities and other property. A. The term of a lease must be at least equal to the period during which similar property of the unit is used. A lease may not exceed a term of 10 years. [PL 1999, c. 81, §2 (AMD).] B. A lease of classroom space shall provide for its exclusive use by the unit during the period of instruction. A lease may provide for the nonexclusive use of other property, but that property may be used for housing only in emergencies. [PL 1983, c. 485, §20 (AMD).] C. Leased property shall be considered property of the unit in all respects. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] D. A lease may not be eligible for the state school subsidy unless it is approved by the commissioner before it is signed. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 1999, c. 81, §2 (AMD).]

3-A. Long-term leases authorized. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 3, paragraph A , the school committee of the Town of Blue Hill is authorized to lease for school purposes, for one or more terms of up to 99 years each, the existing site of the Blue Hill Consolidated School and up to 20 acres of adjacent land and any buildings located thereon, on terms and conditions as may be approved by the Blue Hill School Committee, and during the term or terms of any leases which may be entered into by the Blue Hill School Committee, the leased premises shall constitute school property for all purposes including, without limitation, school construction projects, provided that any school construction projects on the leased premises shall be subject to the requirements of chapter 609 and its successor provisions. [PL 1989, c. 474 (NEW).]

4. Financing. School administrative units may, with approval of the legislative body, arrange financing for maintenance of plant and minor remodeling. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

5. Capital reserve fund. School administrative units may establish a capital reserve fund for maintenance of plant and minor remodeling. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

6. Insurance. School administrative units shall carry fire insurance and allied coverage in the amount of the replacement cost of any school construction project. The commissioner may adjust the amount of coverage required if insurance cannot be obtained at a reasonable cost. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

7. Maintenance and capital improvement program. A school administrative unit, including the unorganized territories, shall establish and maintain a maintenance and capital improvement program for all school facilities. [PL 2013, c. 506, §7 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1253 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103 / Section 1253
20-A §1253. Election
Status: in_force

For the purpose of nominations, school directors shall be considered municipal officials and shall be nominated in accordance with Title 30‑A, chapter 121 , or with a municipal charter, whichever is applicable. [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §§37, 106 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8,10 (AMD).]

1. Initial meeting on district formation. On the election of the school directors, the clerk of each municipality within the school administrative district shall forward the names of the directors elected for that municipality to the state board with other data with regard to their election as the state board may require. On receipt of the names of all of the directors, the state board shall set a time, place and date for the first meeting of the directors and give notice to the directors in the manner set forth in section 1202, subsection 3, paragraph A . [PL 1983, c. 480, Pt. A, §17 (AMD).]

2. Special provisions. In the election for representation under the methods provided in section 1252 the following shall apply. A. Under Method A: (1) Within 60 days, but no earlier than 45 days after notification by the board of directors of the approval or reapportionment plan, the municipal officers shall call a special election to elect directors to serve under the plan for the school administrative district; (2) Nomination papers must be furnished by the secretary of the district at least 10 days before the deadline for filing of nomination papers. Notwithstanding any other section of this Title, directors must be nominated by obtaining a minimum of 25 and a maximum of 50 signatures of registered voters residing within the subdistrict. The secretary shall notify the municipal officers of the names of candidates in each subdistrict; (3) The ballots must be prepared in accordance with subparagraph (7); (4) The clerks of each municipality shall forward to the secretary the results of the vote by subdistrict; (5) The board of directors shall meet and total the votes cast for each candidate within each subdistrict and shall immediately notify the clerks in each municipality, the candidates and the commissioner of the results of the vote; (6) The terms of the directors elected under the original municipal representation system cease on the date that the newly elected directors are sworn into office; and (7) Notwithstanding any other provision of statute, directors must be elected by secret ballot. The ballots must be prepared for and distributed to the municipalities or subdistricts by the secretary of the district. [PL 1993, c. 435, §1 (AMD).] A-1. Under Method B: (1) Reductions in the number of directors must take place in accordance with section 1255, subsection 1, paragraph B ; (2) Additional directors must be added in accordance with section 1255, subsection 1, paragraph C ; and (3) The term of office of additional directors must be determined in accordance with section 1251, subsection 3 . [PL 1993, c. 435, §2 (NEW).] B. Under Method C: (1) Nominations for directors shall be made on petitions provided by the district secretary. The petitions shall be signed as provided in Title 30‑A, section 2528, subsection 4 , or if the candidate is a voting resident in a municipality having less than 200 population, signed by at least 20% of the registered voters of that municipality; (2) The petitions shall be submitted to the registrar of voters in the respective municipalities for certification of the voting residence of the director nominated and of the voters signing the petition; (3) The registrar of voters shall return the certified petitions to the district secretary not later than 30 days prior to the date of the annual election to be held in the municipality; (4) The ballot shall be prepared and distributed by the district secretary. It shall give the number of offices to be filled and list the candidates by municipalities or subdistricts in which they are resident; (5) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, school directors shall be elected by secret ballot; (6) If all member municipalities do not conduct the election for directors on the same date, then all ballots cast in the elections shall be impounded by the clerk of each municipality: (a) After all municipalities have voted, the clerks and one or more election supervisors designated by the municipal officers of each municipality shall meet at an agreed upon location and tally the ballot; (b) The tally shall be completed within one day of the last member municipality election; (c) The election supervisors shall select from among their members a chairman who shall supervise the tally of ballots; and (d) The clerk of each municipality shall as promptly as possible after the election certify to the board of directors the result of the voting in that municipality; and (7) Any recount petitions shall be filed with the secretary of the board of directors and recounts shall be conducted in each member municipality in accordance with the applicable laws. [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §§38, 106 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8,10 (AMD).] [PL 1993, c. 435, §§1, 2 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 6557 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 223 / Section 6557
20-A §6557. Maine School Safety Center (REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 20-A, SECTION 6556)
Status: in_force

(REALLOCATED FROM TITLE 20-A, SECTION 6556)

The Maine School Safety Center, referred to in this section as "the center," is established within the department to assist schools in their efforts to provide for the overall safety of their school community. The primary role of the center is to provide training, guidance and technical support to schools in this State regarding their efforts to safely mitigate against, prepare for, respond to and recover from all hazards and threats. [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (AMD).]

1. Purposes. The purposes of the center are to: A. Serve as a central location for school safety and security information, training and technical assistance related to successful implementation of school safety and security programs in schools; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] B. Be a resource for the prevention of youth violence; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] C. Promote overall school safety by developing recommendations to support a positive school climate and multiple-hazard mitigation and response plans; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] D. Develop and provide school emergency management, training, guidance and technical support to include information provided by persons with expertise in the relevant subject matter in the development of the center's school safety specialist education program; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] E. Promote, develop and implement technical support and training for a behavioral threat assessment program; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] F. Facilitate and assist local schools and public safety stakeholders in preventing, preparing for and responding to threats and acts of violence, including self-harm, through a holistic, solution-based approach to improving school safety; and [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] G. Advise and make recommendations to the department on policies and legislation related to the overall safety of schools and school communities. [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).]

2. Collaboration. The center shall work collaboratively with all appropriate stakeholders in furtherance of its purposes as set out in subsection 1 . [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).]

3. Services to schools. The center is responsible for providing the following services to schools in the State: A. Training, including school safety specialist training and credentialing in a school emergency management education program; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] B. Mental health and behavioral threat assessment; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] C. Site assessment and school climate assessment; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] D. Planning and emergency operation plan review and exercises; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] E. Training, procedures and best practices for school resource officers and officers that may have interactions with youth; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] F. Best practices and policy recommendations and review; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] G. Administrative assistance; [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] H. Restorative justice assistance and assistance regarding alternatives to traditional discipline; and [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] I. Contracted school safety services. [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 542, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11496-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 417-F / Section 11496-A
20-A §11496-A. Capital reserve funds; obligation of the State
Status: in_force

1. Capital reserve fund. The authority may create and establish one or more capital reserve funds and may pay into any capital reserve fund any money appropriated and made available by the State for the purposes of any such fund, any proceeds of the sale by the authority of bonds to the extent determined by the authority and any other money available to the authority. The authority may not create or establish any capital reserve fund under this subsection after June 30, 2010. [PL 2009, c. 83, §2 (AMD).]

2. Application. Money held in any capital reserve fund established pursuant to subsection 1 , except as provided in this subsection, must be used solely with respect to bonds, the repayment of which is secured by any such fund, and solely for the payment of principal of the securities, the purchase or redemption of the securities, including any fees or premiums, or the payment of interest on the securities. In addition, if the authority obtains a letter of credit, insurance contract, surety bond or similar financial undertaking to establish and fund a capital reserve fund under subsection 1 , money in that capital reserve fund may be used to pay, as and when due, all reimbursement obligations of the authority established in connection with that letter of credit, insurance contract, surety bond or similar financial undertaking, including, but not limited to, all fees, expenses, indemnities and commissions. Money in excess of the reserve requirement established pursuant to subsection 3 may be transferred to other funds and accounts of the authority. [PL 2007, c. 665, §1 (NEW).]

3. Capital reserve requirement. For purposes of this section, the capital reserve requirement applicable to a capital reserve fund established pursuant to subsection 1 is: A. The amount stated in the applicable trust agreement or other document used to establish the capital reserve fund, with respect to any capital reserve fund established before June 30, 2010; or [PL 2009, c. 83, §3 (AMD).] B. If paragraph A does not apply, the amount of principal of the bonds directly secured by that capital reserve fund becoming due by reason of maturity or a required sinking fund payment, and interest on bonds directly secured by that capital reserve fund, in any succeeding 12-month period. [PL 2007, c. 665, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 83, §3 (AMD).]

4. Withdrawals from capital reserve fund. Money in any capital reserve fund may not be withdrawn at any time in an amount that would reduce the amount of that capital reserve fund to less than the applicable capital reserve requirement under subsection 3 , except for the purposes of: A. Paying the amounts of principal and interest due on bonds directly secured by that capital reserve fund: (1) At a maturity or sinking fund payment date of those bonds; (2) On any date on which accelerated principal payment is required pursuant to a credit facility or liquidity facility applicable to those bonds; or (3) On any interest payment date with respect to those bonds; or [PL 2007, c. 665, §1 (NEW).] B. Paying any other amount expressly permitted by subsection 2 . [PL 2007, c. 665, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 665, §1 (NEW).]

5. Issuance limit. The authority may provide in the applicable trust agreement or other document used to establish a capital reserve fund pursuant to subsection 1 that it may not issue bonds directly secured by the capital reserve requirement under subsection 3 with respect to bonds outstanding and then to be issued that are or will be directly secured by that capital reserve fund that will exceed the amount of that fund at the time of issuance, unless the authority, at the time of issuance of the bonds, deposits in that fund from proceeds of the bonds to be issued, or from other sources, an amount that, together with the amount then in that fund, is not less than the capital reserve requirement. [PL 2007, c. 665, §1 (NEW).]

6. Appropriation. On or before December 1st, annually, the authority shall certify to the Governor the amount, if any, necessary to restore the amount in any capital reserve fund established pursuant to subsection 1 , in accordance with the trust agreement or other document pursuant to which bonds secured by the capital reserve fund were issued, to the capital reserve requirement under subsection 3 . The Governor shall transmit directly to the Legislature that certification and a statement of the amount, if any, remaining to be paid. The amount certified must be appropriated and paid to the authority during that state fiscal year. [PL 2007, c. 665, §1 (NEW).]

7. Maturity of bonds. Notwithstanding Title 10, section 1044, subsection 5 , a series of bonds that is directly secured by a capital reserve fund described in this section must mature no more than 50 years from its issue date. [PL 2007, c. 665, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1314 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103 / Section 1314
20-A §1314. Bid procedure
Status: in_force

The following shall apply to bids. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Written bids. Bids shall be in writing, sealed with outside envelope or wrapper plainly marked "Bid, not to be opened until (with appropriate date inserted)," and mailed to or filed with the superintendent of the unit. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

2. Time of opening. A director or employee of the school administrative district may not open a bid until the appointed time. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

3. Public opening. At the time and place stated in the public notice, and open to the public, all bids shall be opened by the superintendent or, in the superintendent's absence or disability, by any director designated for the purpose by the chairman of the board of directors. [PL 1983, c. 806, §20 (AMD).]

4. Reading. If any citizens who are not school administrative district directors or employees, or if any representatives of the press are present, bids shall at the time either be made available for examination by them or shall be read aloud in a manner to be heard plainly by those in attendance. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

5. Exceptions. [PL 1983, c. 422, §7 (RP).]
20-A M.R.S. § 15681-A — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 7 / Chapter 606-B / Section 15681-A
20-A §15681-A. Other subsidizable costs
Status: in_force

The following are other subsidizable costs: [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §44 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]

1. Bus purchases. Bus purchase costs; [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §44 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]

2. Special education costs. A school administrative unit receives an additional weight of 1.50 for each special education student identified on the annual December 1st child count as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for the most recent year, up to a maximum of 15% of the school administrative unit's resident pupils as determined under section 15674, subsection 1, paragraph C , subparagraph (1). For those school administrative units in which the annual December 1st child count for the most recent year is less than 15% of the school administrative unit's resident pupils as determined under section 15674, subsection 1, paragraph C , subparagraph (1), the special education child count percentage may not increase more than 0.5% in any given year, up to a maximum of 1.0% in any given 3-year period. For each special education student above the 15% maximum, the unit receives an additional weight of .38. In addition, each school administrative unit must receive additional allocations: A. For lower staff-student ratios and expenditures for related services for school administrative units with fewer than 20 special education students identified on the annual December 1st child count as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for the most recent year; [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §44 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).] B. For high-cost in-district special education placements. Additional funds must be allocated for each student estimated to cost 3 times the statewide special education EPS per-pupil rate. The additional funds for each student must equal the amount by which that student's estimated costs exceed 3 times the statewide special education EPS per-pupil rate; [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §44 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).] C. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §37 (RP); PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §66 (AFF).] D. Beginning July 1, 2018, to ensure the school administrative unit meets the federal maintenance of effort requirement for receiving federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funds in accordance with recommendations of any legislative task force established in the First Regular Session of the 128th Legislature to identify special education cost drivers and innovative approaches to services; and [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §37 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §66 (AFF).] E. A separate allocation must be determined for high-cost out-of-district special education placements in accordance with this paragraph. (1) For private school placements, additional funds must be allocated for each student estimated to cost 4 times the statewide special education EPS per-pupil rate. The additional funds for each student must equal the amount by which that student's estimated costs exceed 4 times the statewide special education EPS per-pupil rate. (2) For public school placements, additional funds must be allocated for each student estimated to cost 3 times the statewide special education EPS per-pupil rate. The additional funds for each student must equal the amount by which that student's estimated costs exceed 3 times the statewide special education EPS per-pupil rate. (3) For public regional special education program placements, additional funds must be allocated for each student estimated to cost 2 times the statewide special education EPS per-pupil rate. The additional funds for each student must equal the amount by which that student's estimated costs exceed 2 times the statewide special education EPS per-pupil rate. Resident students for the fiscal agent of the regional special education program are considered out-of-district placements for purposes of this determination. The commissioner may expend and disburse funds pursuant to section 15689, subsection 9 for direct contractual agreements to provide legal services, facilitation services and other services to assist a school administrative unit with planning and implementing a regional special education program. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §37 (NEW); PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §66 (AFF).] The commissioner shall develop an appeals procedure for calculated special education costs for school administrative units; [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §37 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §66 (AFF).]

2-A. Reduction for fiscal year 2008-09. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §38 (RP).]

3. Transportation costs. For fiscal year 2006-07, the commissioner, using information provided by a statewide education policy research institute, shall establish for each school administrative unit a predicted per-pupil transportation cost as defined in section 15672, subsection 22‑A . The established predicted per-pupil transportation cost multiplied by the number of the school administrative unit's resident students for each school administrative unit must be no less than 90% of the most recent year's reported net transportation expenditures. Beginning in fiscal year 2007-08, and for each subsequent fiscal year, the per-pupil transportation costs for each school administrative unit are its predicted per-pupil transportation cost for the most recent year adjusted by the Consumer Price Index or other comparable index, except that the established predicted per-pupil transportation cost multiplied by the number of the school administrative unit's resident students for each school administrative unit must be no less than 90% of the most recent year's reported net transportation expenditures. The commissioner shall develop an appeals procedure for established per-pupil transportation costs for school administrative units; [PL 2005, c. 519, Pt. AAAA, §8 (RPR).]

3-A. Reduction for fiscal year 2008-09. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §39 (RP).]

4. Career and technical education costs. [PL 2021, c. 571, §31 (RP).]

4-A. Costs of plans for middle school career and technical education exploration programs. Beginning in fiscal year 2018-19, and in each subsequent fiscal year, costs approved pursuant to chapter 313 attributable to establishing and operating career and technical education exploration programs for middle school students. The commissioner may establish an allocation to school administrative units for plans under this subsection. The plans must be implemented within the school administrative unit; and [PL 2017, c. 420, §7 (NEW).]

5. Gifted and talented education costs. Gifted and talented education costs in the base year adjusted to the year prior to the allocation year. [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §44 (NEW); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1504 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103-A / Section 1504
20-A §1504. Reconsideration
Status: in_force

The procedure to reconsider votes taken at a regional school unit referendum is as set out in this section. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

1. Time limit. The regional school unit board shall, within 60 days, initiate a new regional school unit referendum to reconsider the vote of the previous referendum if, within 7 days of the first referendum, at least 10% of the number of voters voting for the gubernatorial candidates in the last gubernatorial election in the municipalities within the regional school unit petition to reconsider a prior regional school unit referendum vote. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

2. Required quorum. A reconsideration referendum is not valid unless the number of persons voting in that referendum is at least equal to the number who voted in the prior regional school unit referendum. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

3. Bond. If the margin of the vote being reconsidered was between 10% and 25%, the petitioners shall post a bond with the petition equal to the actual and reasonable costs of the new referendum. If the margin of the vote being reconsidered exceeded 25%, the petitioners shall post an additional bond equal to the actual and reasonable costs that may be incurred as a result of the delay of an authorization or approval granted in the prior regional school unit referendum. If the petitioners are successful, the bonds must be canceled. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 15005 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 7 / Chapter 601 / Section 15005
20-A §15005. Apportionments
Status: in_force

1. Apportionments. Unless otherwise required by law, the State shall pay apportionments to school administrative units, career and technical education regions and private schools annually commencing in July. The State shall pay an amount not to exceed 1/12 of the subsidy each month no later than the last day of the month. The State shall pay any balance within 7 days after the end of the fiscal year. If the State pays the balance of state subsidy for a fiscal year after the end of the fiscal year, a school administrative unit, career and technical education region or private school may record the final payment as an account receivable due from the State in that fiscal year. [PL 2021, c. 571, §16 (AMD).]

2. Career and technical education centers. Payments may be made to career and technical education centers at the times and in the amounts as the commissioner may authorize. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5,8 (NEW); PL 1991, c. 716, §6 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 545, §5 (REV).]

3. Return required. An apportionment provided in this chapter, chapters 505 and 606‑B and section 13601 may not be paid to a school administrative unit by the Treasurer of State until returns required by law have been filed with the commissioner. [PL 2019, c. 398, §27 (AMD).]

4. Failure to file return. When the information required by the chapters and sections listed in subsection 3 is not available because of the failure of the school administrative unit, through its officers, to make the returns required by law, or because of the loss or destruction of the school records of the unit, the commissioner may use a basis for apportionment numbers on which the apportionment for the unit was made for the preceding year less 10%. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 3620 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 121 / Section 3620
20-A §3620. Annual meetings
Status: in_force

An annual meeting of the district shall be held between January 15th and June 1st of each year at such time as the interstate district may by vote determine. Once determined, the date of the annual meeting shall remain fixed until changed by vote of the interstate district at a subsequent annual or special meeting. At each annual meeting the following business shall be transacted: [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Officers. Necessary officers shall be elected. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

2. Appropriation. Money shall be appropriated for the support of the interstate district schools for the fiscal year beginning the following July 1st. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

3. Other business. Such other business as may properly come before the meeting. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 13008 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 6 / Chapter 501 / Section 13008
20-A §13008. Educator preparation program data
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. [PL 2017, c. 235, §7 (RP); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]

2. Data collection. The department shall collect data relating to educator preparation programs, including but not limited to the following information with respect to each educator preparation program: A. The number of program completers; [PL 2011, c. 635, Pt. B, §1 (NEW).] B. The number of program completers who pass the teacher qualifying examinations under section 13032 and the number of those who attain a professional teacher certificate in the State; [PL 2017, c. 235, §8 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).] C. The number of program completers who proceed from a conditional certificate to a professional certificate; and [PL 2017, c. 235, §8 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).] D. The number of program completers who are teaching in schools in this State 3 and 5 years after they complete that educator preparation program. [PL 2011, c. 635, Pt. B, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2017, c. 235, §8 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]

3. Report. The department shall annually report the data collected under this section to the Governor, the state board and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over education matters. [PL 2011, c. 635, Pt. B, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 15911 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 7 / Chapter 609 / Section 15911
20-A §15911. Community services; conditions of approval
Status: in_force

The state board may approve construction of school buildings without obligating the State to pay a share of the costs of those buildings, if those portions are to be constructed to fulfill a community service need. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Community service. "Community service" means a service which does not fulfill an educational purpose or which is not restricted to a school-age population. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]

2. Breakdown of costs. If construction of facilities to meet a community service need occurs in conjunction with a school construction project, the board shall: A. Require a breakdown of costs for the entire project; and [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).] B. Approve a plan as to how operating costs, including repairs, shall be shared by agreement between the municipal officers and the school board. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

3. Findings. The state board's finding shall become a part of the certificate of approval and shall be the basis on which all costs shall be apportioned between the municipality and the school administrative unit for as long as that portion of the project shall: A. Continue to serve that community need; and [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).] B. Remain under the control of persons other than the school board. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

4. Application. An application from a school administrative unit for approval of a school construction project shall include evidence that approval will result in meeting or helping to meet the total construction and program needs of the area to be served. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10953 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 412 / Section 10953
20-A §10953. Assured revenues financing transactions
Status: in_force

In furtherance of the provisions of section 10906, subsection 1, paragraph C , subparagraph (1), the university may, when directed by vote of the trustees, borrow money and enter into financing transactions in anticipation of assured revenues in the name of the university, on behalf of the State, and issue evidences of indebtedness in connection with such financing transactions: [PL 1987, c. 735, §14 (NEW).]

1. Cost of project. To finance the cost of any one project, or more than one, or any combination of projects; [PL 1987, c. 735, §14 (NEW).]

2. Finance temporary deficit. To finance any temporary cash flow deficit or temporary operating deficit that the trustees anticipate will be fully paid with the proceeds of assured revenues dedicated to that purpose. [PL 1987, c. 735, §14 (NEW).]

3. Refund evidences of indebtedness. To refund evidences of indebtedness issued pursuant to this chapter or to refund general obligation debt of the State; or [PL 1993, c. 2, §2 (AMD).]

4. Refund refunding borrowings. To refund any such refunding borrowings. [PL 1987, c. 735, §14 (NEW).]

All evidences of indebtedness issued in connection with assured revenues financing transactions entered into pursuant to this section shall be authorized by majority vote of the trustees. [PL 1987, c. 735, §14 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 5164 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 211 / Section 5164
20-A §5164. Planning for graduation
Status: in_force

If the student who experiences education disruption is between 16 years of age and 20 years of age, the school work recognition plan developed or updated following the education disruption must include a description of what the student must do in order to qualify to graduate with the student's peers or within a reasonable time thereafter. [PL 2013, c. 439, §15 (NEW).]

If it is determined by the responsible school and the student that the student cannot meet the school's requirements for graduation by the end of the student's 4th year of secondary school, the responsible school shall provide the student information about applying for a Department of Education diploma. In accordance with section 257‑A, subsection 3 , the responsible school shall provide support for and assist in the completion and submission of the application on the request of the student's parent or guardian or on the request of the student if the student is at least 18 years of age or is a student experiencing homelessness. Community providers may also assist in the application process. [PL 2021, c. 445, §13 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12982 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 445 / Section 12982
20-A §12982. Adoption of policies and related procedures
Status: in_force

1. Adoption of policy required. No later than July 1, 2023, each institution of higher education shall adopt a policy and related procedures on sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking, referred to in this section as "the policy," in accordance with this section and consistent with applicable state and federal law. The policy must be publicly available on each institution's campus website and in student handbooks. Notices of where the full policy is available and outreach for victims of sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking must be posted at campus locations where students regularly congregate. The institution shall update the policy on the institution's website annually. [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).]

2. Development of policy. The policy must reflect the diverse needs of all students and employees and be culturally competent. An institution may consider input from various internal and external entities, including, but not limited to, the institution's Title IX coordinator, a local sexual assault support center, a domestic violence resource center, administrators, personnel affiliated with on-campus and off-campus health care centers, confidential resource advisors, residence life staff, students, local law enforcement agencies and the district attorney having jurisdiction in the municipality where the institution of higher education's primary campus is located. [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).]

3. Content of policy. The policy must include, but is not limited to: A. Procedures by which students and employees at the institution may report or disclose alleged incidents of sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking regardless of where the alleged incident occurred; [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] B. Information on where a reporting party may receive immediate emergency assistance following an alleged incident of sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking including, but not limited to: (1) The name and location of the nearest medical facility where a reporting party may request that a forensic examination be administered by a licensed health care practitioner that has received sexual assault forensic examiner training and education provided by the sexual assault forensic examiner program, including information on transportation options and information on reimbursement for travel costs, if any; (2) The contact information for a local sexual assault support center and a domestic violence resource center and a description of the services provided by the centers; (3) The telephone number and website for a confidential statewide sexual assault helpline and a national 24-hour hotline that provides information on sexual assault; and (4) Information on any programs that may financially assist a reporting party with the cost of emergency medical assistance, including the Victims' Compensation Fund pursuant to Title 5, chapter 316‑A ; [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] C. Descriptions of the types of and contact information for counseling, health, safety, academic and other support services available within the local community or region or through a local sexual assault support center or a domestic violence resource center, including but not limited to the names of and contact information for organizations that support responding parties accused of sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking; the name of and contact information for a confidential resource advisor under section 12986 and a description of the role of and services provided by the confidential resource advisor; and the name of and contact information for the institution's Title IX coordinator; [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] D. The rights of students and employees to: (1) Notify or decline to notify a law enforcement agency, including campus, local or state police, of an alleged incident of sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking; (2) Receive assistance from campus authorities in making any notification under subparagraph (1); and (3) Obtain a court-issued or institution-issued protection order against a responding party involved with the alleged incident of sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking; [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] E. The process for requesting supportive measures reasonably available from the institution, including, but not limited to, options for changing academic, living, campus transportation or working arrangements or taking a leave of absence in response to an alleged incident of sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking, how to request those changes and the process to have any such measures reviewed; [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] F. The contact information for the closest local, state and federal law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over matters involving sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking, procedures for students to notify the institution that a protection order has been issued under state or federal law and the institution's responsibilities upon receipt of such notice; [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] G. A summary of the institution's procedures for informal resolution, investigating, adjudicating and resolving sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking complaints against students, regardless of where the alleged offense occurred, including an explanation of all procedures that must be followed to obtain investigatory reports and gather evidence, and potential sanctions or penalties that may be imposed. The policy must provide that: (1) The procedures be uniformly applied, to the extent practicable, for all proceedings relating to any claims of sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking; (2) An investigation, including any hearings and resulting disciplinary proceedings, be conducted by an individual who receives not less than annual training on issues relating to sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking, investigatory procedures and hearing procedures to protect the safety and rights of students and promote accountability, objectivity, impartiality and a trauma-informed response; (3) The reporting party and the responding party be provided with a copy of the policy regarding the submission and consideration of evidence that may be used during a disciplinary proceeding; (4) The reporting party and the responding party be informed in writing of the results of a disciplinary proceeding not later than 7 business days after a final determination of a complaint, not including time for appeal, if any, unless good cause for additional time is shown. The reporting party and responding party must be informed of the process, if any, for appealing the decision; (5) The institution may not publicly disclose the identity of the reporting party or the responding party, except as necessary to carry out a disciplinary proceeding or as otherwise permitted under state or federal law; and (6) The reporting party and the responding party must be informed that the institution's disciplinary proceedings may not serve as a substitute for the criminal justice process; and [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] H. The range of sanctions or penalties the institution may impose on students and employees found responsible for a violation of the applicable institutional policy prohibiting sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking. [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).]

4. Adoption of and amendments to the policy. When adopting or amending a policy, an institution shall provide an opportunity for comment and a reasonable length of time in which comments will be accepted. The institution shall provide the draft policy or proposed substantive amendments by electronic or regular mail to internal and external entities, with instructions on how to comment and the reasonable length of time in which comments will be accepted. Once an institution has adopted a policy, the opportunity for review and comment by internal and external entities applies only to substantive amendments in the policy. [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).]

5. Confidentiality. The identity of a reporting party and a responding party and all information relating to an incident of sexual violence, intimate partner violence or stalking are confidential and may not be disclosed by the institution except as necessary to carry out a disciplinary process or as otherwise permitted under state or federal law. [PL 2021, c. 733, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 4014 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 201 / Section 4014
20-A §4014. Use of seclusion and physical restraint
Status: repealed

(CONTAINS TEXT WITH VARYING EFFECTIVE DATES)

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Chemical restraint" means a drug or medication that is not prescribed as the standard treatment of a student's medical or psychiatric condition by a licensed physician or other qualified health professional acting under the scope of the professional's authority under state law that is used on a student to control behavior or restrict freedom of movement. [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] B. "Covered entity" means an entity that owns, operates or controls a school or educational program that receives public funds from the department, including, but not limited to, public schools, public regional programs, public charter schools, private schools, private schools approved for tuition purposes, special purpose private schools, career and technical education programs, public prekindergarten programs and providers of services pursuant to the provisions of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Parts B and C, 20 United States Code, Section 1401 et seq. (2015). [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] C. "Mechanical restraint" means the use of a device to restrict a student's freedom of movement. [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] D. "Physical escort" means the temporary touching or holding of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder or back to induce a student to walk to a safe location. [PL 2025, c. 266, §1 (AMD).] E. "Physical prompt" means a teaching technique that involves voluntary physical contact with a student that enables the student to learn or model the physical movement necessary for the development of a desired competency. [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] F. "Physical restraint" means a personal restriction that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a student to move the arms, legs or head freely. "Physical restraint" does not include a physical escort, mechanical restraint, physical prompt or chemical restraint. [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] G. "Seclusion" means the involuntary isolation or confinement of a student alone in a room or clearly defined area from which the student does not feel free to go or is physically denied exit. "Seclusion" does not include a timeout. [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] G-1. (TEXT EFFECTIVE UNTIL 8/01/29) (TEXT REPEALED 8/01/29) "Serious physical injury" means any impairment of the physical condition of a person, whether self-inflicted or inflicted by someone else, that requires a medical practitioner, including, but not limited to, a school nurse, to evaluate or treat the person. This paragraph is repealed August 1, 2029. [PL 2025, c. 266, §2 (NEW).] H. "Timeout" means an intervention where a student requests or complies with an adult request for a break. Timeout is not seclusion. [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] I. "Unlawful restraint or seclusion" means: (1) Mechanical restraint; (2) Chemical restraint; (3) Physical restraint or physical escort that is life-threatening, restricts breathing or restricts blood flow to the brain, including prone restraint; or (4) Physical restraint or seclusion that is contraindicated based on Title 34‑B, section 3003 or section 15002 or the student's disability or health care needs or medical or psychiatric condition as documented in: (a) A health care directive or medical management plan; (b) A behavior intervention plan; (c) An individual education plan or an individual family service plan as defined in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 United States Code, Section 1401 et seq. (2015); or (d) A plan developed pursuant to the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 United States Code, Section 794 (2015) or the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Title II, 42 United States Code, Section 12131 et seq. (2009). "Unlawful restraint or seclusion" does not include a physical escort except as provided in subparagraph (3), a physical prompt, the use of adaptive devices or mechanical supports to achieve proper body position, balance or alignment to allow greater freedom of movement than would be possible without the use of such devices or supports or the use of vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a student in a moving vehicle. [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 266, §§1, 2 (AMD).]

2. Prohibition on unlawful restraint and seclusion; restriction on use of physical restraint and seclusion. A covered entity that receives state or federal assistance may not subject a student to unlawful restraint or seclusion. A covered entity may use physical restraint or seclusion only if: A. The student's behavior poses an imminent danger of serious physical injury to the student or another person; [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] B. Less restrictive interventions would be ineffective in stopping imminent danger of serious physical injury to the student or another person; [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] C. The physical restraint or seclusion ends immediately upon the cessation of imminent danger of serious physical injury to the student or another person; and [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] D. The least amount of force necessary is used to protect the student or another person from imminent danger of serious physical injury. [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).]

3. Report on data regarding the use of physical restraint and seclusion. Each covered entity shall submit to the department an annual report on incidents of physical restraint and seclusion of students of that covered entity that includes: A. The aggregate number of uses of physical restraint; [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] B. The aggregate number of uses of seclusion; [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] C. The aggregate number of students placed in physical restraint; [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] D. The aggregate number of students placed in seclusion; [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] E. The aggregate number of students with disabilities and an individualized education program under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 United States Code, Section 1401 et seq. (2015) or a plan pursuant to the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 United States Code, Section 701 et seq. placed in physical restraint; [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] F. The aggregate number of students with disabilities and an individualized education program under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 United States Code, Section 1401 et seq. (2015) or a plan pursuant to the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 United States Code, Section 701 et seq. placed in seclusion; [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] G. The aggregate number of serious physical injuries to students related to physical restraint; [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] H. The aggregate number of serious physical injuries to students related to seclusion; [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] I. The aggregate number of serious physical injuries to staff related to physical restraint; and [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] J. The aggregate number of serious physical injuries to staff related to seclusion. [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).]

4. Technical assistance. The department shall, using existing resources, provide technical assistance to covered entities by developing, implementing and providing technical assistance to support evidence-based programs that reduce the likelihood of physical restraint or seclusion, and support students in reducing behavior that can result in physical restraint or seclusion, such as developmentally appropriate, positive behavior interventions, functional behavioral interventions, mental health supports, restorative justice programs, trauma-informed care and crisis and de-escalation interventions. [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).]

5. Rules. The department shall adopt or amend rules to carry out the purposes of this section. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2021, c. 453, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 3001 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 117 / Section 3001
20-A §3001. Schools for children with disabilities
Status: in_force

Private schools that operate programs for children with disabilities shall conform to the applicable provisions of this chapter and chapters 301 and 303 . [PL 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §7 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12926 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 439 / Section 12926
20-A §12926. Deferments
Status: in_force

The authority may grant deferments on the repayment of a loan under the program for causes established by rule. Interest at a rate to be determined by rule of the authority may be assessed during a deferment. The student's total debt to the authority, including principal and interest, must be repaid. The authority shall make determinations of deferment on a case-by-case basis. The decision of the authority regarding deferment is final. [PL 2015, c. 435, §1 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 10703 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 409 / Section 10703
20-A §10703. Temporary approval to use the name "community college," "college" or "university"
Status: in_force

1. Power. The state board may grant an applicant a certificate of temporary approval, permitting use of the term "community college," "college" or "university" in its name until the earlier of: A. The expiration of the academic year; or [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).] B. The applicant is authorized by the Legislature to grant degrees in accordance with section 10704 . [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 572, Pt. A, §10 (AMD).]

2. Extensions and renewals. The state board may extend or renew a certificate of temporary approval for not more than 2 years. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 3615 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 121 / Section 3615
20-A §3615. Eligibility of voters
Status: in_force

Any resident who would be eligible to vote at a meeting of a member district being held at the same time shall be eligible to vote at a meeting of the interstate district. The town clerks in each Maine member district and the supervisors of the checklist of each New Hampshire district shall respectively prepare a checklist of eligible voters for each meeting of the interstate district in the same manner, and they shall have all the same powers and duties with respect to eligibility of voters in their districts as for a meeting of a member district. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12725 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 431-A / Section 12725
20-A §12725. Establishment
Status: in_force

There are established, under the Maine Community College System, the Maine Quality Centers, in this chapter referred to as the "centers." The mission of the centers is to meet the workforce education and training needs of new and expanding businesses in the State and provide new employment and career advancement opportunities for Maine people. The centers shall fulfill their mission by working in close coordination with state and regional economic development agencies. [PL 1993, c. 707, Pt. CC, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. OO, §2 (AMD); PL 2003, c. 20, Pt. OO, §4 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1465 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103-A / Section 1465
20-A §1465. Addition of a school administrative unit to an existing regional school unit
Status: in_force

A school administrative unit not originally a member of a regional school unit may be included in the regional school unit in accordance with this section. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

1. Notice of intent. A school administrative unit shall file with the commissioner a notice of intent to engage in planning and negotiations to join with a regional school unit under this chapter. The commissioner shall respond to each notice of intent and provide information regarding the process and whether the intended action complies with the requirements of this chapter. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

2. Process to join a regional school unit. A school administrative unit may join an existing regional school unit in the same manner required for the formation of a regional school unit under section 1461 , except that section 1461, subsections 5 , 6 and 7 do not apply. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

3. Referendum for a school administrative unit to join an existing regional school unit. The municipal officers of each municipality that is a member of a school administrative unit that is proposing to join a regional school unit shall place a warrant article substantially as follows on the ballot of a municipal referendum in accordance with the referendum procedures applicable to the school administrative unit of which the municipality is a member. "Article: Do you favor approving the school reorganization plan prepared by the (insert name) Reorganization Planning Committee for school administrative unit (insert name of affected school administrative unit) to join the regional school unit (name of regional school unit), with an effective date of (insert date)? Yes No" [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. D, §6 (AMD).]

4. Referendum on the admission of an additional school administrative unit to an existing regional school unit. If the vote to join a regional school unit under subsection 3 was in the affirmative, the existing regional school unit shall conduct a regional school unit referendum to vote on the following article. "Article: Do you favor approving the school reorganization plan prepared by the (insert name) Reorganization Planning Committee for school administrative unit (insert name of affected school administrative unit) to join the regional school unit (name of regional school unit), with an effective date of (insert date)? Yes No" [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. D, §8 (AMD).]

5. Results of referendum. A school administrative unit shall report the results of the referendum to the department following the referendum election. A. For a referendum conducted pursuant to subsection 3 : (1) A reorganization plan is approved by a kindergarten to grade 12 school administrative district or kindergarten to grade 12 community school district if the majority of votes cast in the district is in favor of approval of the plan; (2) A reorganization plan is approved by a regional school unit if the majority of votes cast in the regional school unit is in favor of approval of the plan; (3) A reorganization plan is approved by the member municipalities of a community school district that does not provide public education for the entire span of kindergarten to grade 12 if the majority of votes cast in the member municipalities is in favor of approval of the plan. Approval results in all member municipalities joining the regional school unit for all purposes for kindergarten to grade 12; and (4) A municipal school unit, including a municipal school unit that is a member of a school union, approves a reorganization plan if the majority of the votes cast in that municipality is in favor of approval of the plan. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] B. For a referendum conducted pursuant to subsection 4 , a reorganization plan is approved by a regional school unit if the majority of votes cast in the regional school unit is in favor of approval of the plan. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] If a reorganization plan is approved by the affected school administrative unit, the commissioner shall file notice of approval of the unit with the state board. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

6. Amended certificate of organization. If a plan for reorganization has been approved by the commissioner and approved by voters at the referendum under subsections 3 and 4 , the commissioner shall issue an amended certificate of organization to the reorganized regional school unit. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 3652 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 121 / Section 3652
20-A §3652. General school laws
Status: in_force

With respect to the operation and maintenance of any school of the district located in New Hampshire, New Hampshire law shall apply except as otherwise provided in this compact and except that the powers and duties of the school board shall be exercised and discharged by the interstate board and the powers and duties of the union superintendent shall be exercised and discharged by the interstate district superintendent. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§ 5, 8 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 12716 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 431 / Section 12716
20-A §12716. Financial aid
Status: in_force

1. Scholarships and campus employment. The board of trustees shall develop and administer programs of scholarships and campus employment for college students. Scholarships must be based on evidence of individual need and worth. Students selected to receive a scholarship or campus employment must fulfill the following qualifications: A. Show evidence of the qualifications necessary to complete a course of study successfully and to become a competent worker in an industrial, administrative, technical or trade pursuit; [PL 2017, c. 179, §15 (AMD).] B. Show demonstrated ability and willingness to support the expenses of education and training; and [PL 1985, c. 695, §11 (NEW).] C. For scholarship recipients, show demonstrated need of financial assistance to help pay the cost of college attendance or, in the case of on-campus employment programs, demonstrate the ability to benefit from the increased engagement that such programs provide. [PL 2017, c. 179, §15 (AMD).] [PL 2017, c. 179, §15 (AMD).]

2. National Guard Scholarship Program. Members of the Maine National Guard with over 10 years of continuous service may be awarded scholarships on the basis of their guard membership, not to exceed 3 credit hours or the equivalent each semester. The guard shall select those who are to receive scholarships from among those members eligible for admission to a college. The program shall be administered by the board of trustees. [PL 1989, c. 443, §52 (AMD).]

3. Loan fund revolving accounts. In compliance with federal regulations, the board of trustees may establish and administer loan fund revolving accounts to provide effective and efficient student loan programs for the colleges. The board of trustees shall adopt rules governing the giving of loans to college students in need of financial aid, repayment plans and other aspects of the loan programs. Each loan fund revolving account authorized and the specific funds associated with it shall be kept in a separate special account and any repayment of loans made from one of these separate special accounts shall be credited to that separate special account for continued use as a loan fund. [PL 1989, c. 443, §52 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 15683 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 7 / Chapter 606-B / Section 15683
20-A §15683. Total operating allocation
Status: in_force

For each school administrative unit, that unit's total operating allocation is the base total set forth in subsection 1 including the total amount of other subsidizable costs as described in section 15681‑A . [PL 2021, c. 571, §32 (AMD).]

1. Base total. The base total of a school administrative unit's total operating allocation is the sum of: A. The product of the school administrative unit's kindergarten to grade 8 EPS per-pupil rate multiplied by the total of the kindergarten to grade 8 portions of the following pupil counts: (1) The pupil count set forth in section 15674, subsection 1, paragraph C or D , whichever is applicable; (2) The additional weight for English learners calculated pursuant to section 15675, subsection 1 ; and (3) The additional weight for economically disadvantaged students calculated pursuant to section 15675, subsection 2 ; [PL 2021, c. 428, §9 (AMD).] B. The product of the school administrative unit's grade 9 to 12 EPS per-pupil rate multiplied by the total of the grade 9 to 12 portion of the following pupil counts: (1) The pupil count set forth in section 15674, subsection 1, paragraphs A , B and C ; (2) The additional weight for English learners calculated pursuant to section 15675, subsection 1 ; and (3) The additional weight for economically disadvantaged students calculated pursuant to section 15675, subsection 2 ; [PL 2019, c. 398, §33 (AMD).] C. If the school administrative unit is eligible for targeted funds for the implementation of a standards-based system pursuant to section 15681, subsection 1 , the sum of: (1) The product of the elementary school level and middle school level per-pupil amount for targeted funds for the implementation of a standards-based system calculated pursuant to section 15681, subsection 2 multiplied by the kindergarten to grade 8 portion of the pupil count calculated pursuant to section 15674, subsection 1, paragraph C , subparagraph (1); and (2) The product of the high school level per-pupil amount for targeted funds for the implementation of a standards-based system calculated pursuant to section 15681, subsection 2 multiplied by the grade 9 to 12 portion of the pupil count calculated pursuant to section 15674, subsection 1, paragraph C , subparagraph (1); [PL 2005, c. 635, §8 (AMD).] D. If the school administrative unit is eligible for targeted technology resource funds pursuant to section 15681, subsection 1 , the sum of: (1) The product of the elementary school level and middle school level per-pupil amount for targeted technology resource funds calculated pursuant to section 15681, subsection 3 multiplied by the kindergarten to grade 8 portion of the pupil count calculated pursuant to section 15674, subsection 1, paragraph C , subparagraph (1); and (2) The product of the high school level per-pupil amount for targeted technology resource funds calculated pursuant to section 15681, subsection 3 multiplied by the grade 9 to 12 portion of the pupil count calculated pursuant to section 15674, subsection 1, paragraph C , subparagraph (1); [RR 2017, c. 1, §11 (COR).] E. If the school administrative unit is eligible for targeted kindergarten to grade 2 funds pursuant to section 15681, subsection 1 , the product of the EPS per-pupil rate multiplied by the additional weight for kindergarten to grade 2 calculated pursuant to section 15675, subsection 3 ; [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §41 (AMD).] E-1. If the school administrative unit is eligible for the targeted extended learning weight pursuant to section 15675 , the product of the EPS per-pupil rate multiplied by the additional weight for extended learning calculated pursuant to section 15675, subsection 2 ; and [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §42 (NEW).] F. An isolated small unit adjustment. A school administrative unit is eligible for an isolated small school adjustment when the unit meets the size and distance criteria as established by the commissioner. The amount of the adjustment is the result of adjusting the necessary student-to-staff ratios determined in section 15679, subsection 2 , the per-pupil amount for operation and maintenance of plant in section 15680, subsection 1, paragraph B or other essential programs and services components in chapter 606‑B , as recommended by the commissioner. The isolated small school adjustment must be applied to discrete school buildings that meet the criteria for the adjustment. The adjustment is not applicable to sections, wings or other parts of a building that are dedicated to certain grade spans. [PL 2009, c. 571, Pt. E, §20 (AMD).] [PL 2021, c. 428, §9 (AMD).]

2. Adjustments. The base total calculated pursuant to subsection 1 must be adjusted by multiplying it by the appropriate transition percentage in accordance with section 15671, subsection 7, paragraph A . A. [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §47 (RP); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).] B. [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §47 (RP); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).] C. [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §47 (RP); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).] [PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §47 (AMD); PL 2005, c. 2, Pt. D, §§72, 74 (AFF); PL 2005, c. 12, Pt. WW, §18 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11432 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 417-A / Section 11432
20-A §11432. Termination of existence of authority
Status: in_force

A law terminating the existence of the authority may not take effect as long as any bonds of the authority issued under this chapter are outstanding and unpaid without adequate provision for payment having been made. [PL 2015, c. 170, §26 (AMD); PL 2015, c. 170, §30 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 13024 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 6 / Chapter 502 / Section 13024
20-A §13024. Clearance for person paid to work in school
Status: in_force

1. Clearance. A person paid to work in a school in a position that does not require certification must be issued a clearance by the department. This section applies to: A. Personnel employed in a public school or an approved private school as regular or substitute employees; [PL 2005, c. 457, Pt. FF, §3 (NEW).] B. Personnel in a private school that enrolls more than 60% of its students at public expense; [PL 2005, c. 457, Pt. FF, §3 (NEW).] C. Personnel employed by or serving the school administrative unit as contracted service providers; and [PL 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §38 (AMD).] D. Personnel for whom certification is not required prior to being hired or being placed under contract by a public school or an intermediate educational unit. [PL 2017, c. 235, §28 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).] E. [PL 2005, c. 662, Pt. A, §40 (RP).] [PL 2017, c. 235, §28 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]

2. Qualifications. The commissioner shall adopt rules to define the function, eligibility, term and renewal of the clearance under subsection 1 . Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2017, c. 235, §28 (AMD); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]

3. Fees. [PL 2017, c. 235, §28 (RP); PL 2017, c. 235, §41 (AFF).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1489 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103-A / Section 1489
20-A §1489. Regional school unit assessments
Status: in_force

Regional school unit assessments must follow the procedures set out in this section. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

1. Warrant. In accordance with the budget approved by the voters at an annual budget meeting and in substantially the same form as the warrant of the Treasurer of State for taxes, the regional school unit board shall issue its warrants to the assessors of each member municipality requiring them to assess upon the taxable estates within the municipality an amount that is that municipality's share of the regional school unit's costs. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

2. Commitment. The municipal assessors shall commit the assessment to the constable or collector. Constables and collectors have the authority and powers to collect the regional school unit's taxes as is vested in them by law to collect state, county and municipal taxes. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

3. Installments. The regional school unit board shall notify the member municipalities of the monthly installments that will become payable during the fiscal year. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

4. Payment. A municipal treasurer shall pay the amount of the tax assessed in the fiscal year against the municipality to the treasurer of the regional school unit. The payments must be paid in monthly installments on or before the 20th of each month. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

5. Gifts. A municipality may use the proceeds from gifts or trust funds allocated for educational purposes to pay its share of the assessment. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

6. Enforcement. If a municipal treasurer fails to pay the installment due, or any part, on the dates required, to initiate collection procedures, the treasurer of the regional school unit may notify the municipal treasurer of the failure to pay. Interest accrues on each unpaid installment at the rate established under Title 36, section 186 beginning on the 60th day after the date the installment is due under subsection 4 . If payment of an installment is not made within 60 days after the due date, the treasurer of the regional school unit may initiate an action in Superior Court to compel payment of the delinquent installment. The court shall determine the amount owed by the municipality to the regional school unit and shall order the municipal treasurer to pay all delinquent installments, accrued interest and any court costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the regional school unit. To ensure prompt payment of the delinquent installments, the court may require that amounts due to the municipality from the State under Title 30‑A, section 5681 and Title 36, sections 578 and 685 be paid to the regional school unit until the amount determined by the court is satisfied. The court shall promptly notify the disbursing state agency of the determination and direct the agency to make the required change in payee and the amounts to be paid. If additional funds are needed to satisfy the amount determined by the court to be paid to the regional school unit, the court may order the attachment or trustee process and sale of real or personal property owned by the municipality or the attachment of the municipality's bank accounts or require property tax payments to the municipality to be turned over to the court and may pay the amount owed the regional school unit from the proceeds and return any excess to the municipality. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11611 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 419-A / Section 11611
20-A §11611. Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1989, c. 559, §10 (NEW).]

1. Academic year and in attendance. "Academic year" and "in attendance" have the same meanings as in the definitions of these terms contained in the Higher Education Act of 1965, Section 1201, as amended, United States Code, Title 20, Section 1141; and the Higher Education Act of 1965, Section 491, as amended, United States Code, Title 20, Section 1088; and the regulations, guidelines and procedures promulgated by the Secretary of Education and published in the Federal Register pursuant to these sections of federal law. [PL 1989, c. 559, §10 (NEW).]

2. Authority. The "authority" means the Finance Authority of Maine. [PL 1989, c. 559, §10 (NEW).]

3. Eligible program of study. "Eligible program of study" means a certificate program of at least one year, an associate degree program or a baccalaureate degree program. [PL 1989, c. 559, §10 (NEW).]

4. Expected family contribution. [PL 2023, c. 23, §1 (RP).]

4-A. Grant. "Grant" means a grant under the Maine State Grant Program authorized under this chapter. [PL 2001, c. 70, §4 (NEW).]

5. Institution of higher education. "Institution of higher education" means an institution of higher education located within this State that meets the requirements of and conforms to the definitions contained in the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, Section 1201, as amended, United States Code, Title 20, Section 1141; and the federal Higher Education Act of 1965, Section 491, as amended, United States Code, Title 20, Section 1088; and the regulations, guidelines and procedures promulgated by the Secretary of Education and published in the Federal Register pursuant to these sections of law. [PL 2011, c. 642, §1 (AMD).]

6. Portability. [PL 2011, c. 642, §2 (RP).]

7. Student aid index. "Student aid index" means a calculation that reflects an evaluation of a student's approximate financial resources to contribute toward the student's postsecondary education for an academic year. [PL 2023, c. 23, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1490 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103-A / Section 1490
20-A §1490. Power to borrow money
Status: in_force

1. Regional school unit board. A regional school unit board may borrow money to pay for: A. Current operating expenses of the regional school unit if the loans are repaid within 13 months of the date of borrowing and are limited to an amount reasonably required for current operating expenses; [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] B. School construction projects as defined in section 15901 ; and [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] C. Minor capital costs as defined in section 15672, subsection 20‑A . [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

2. Voter approval. Bonds or notes for school construction purposes must first be approved by a majority of voters of the regional school unit voting at an election called by the regional school unit board and held as provided in this chapter, except as is otherwise provided in this section. A. Each bond or note must have inscribed upon its face the name of the regional school unit, the date it was issued, the amount of the bond or note and the annual interest rate, payable semiannually. Each bond or note must be in the form and be sold in the manner, at public or private sale, as the regional school unit board determines in accordance with state law. Bonds may not be sold for less than par. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] B. Notes or bonds issued by a regional school unit must be signed by the treasurer or assistant superintendent and countersigned by the chair of the regional school unit board. If coupon bonds are issued, each coupon must be attested by a facsimile signature of the treasurer. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] C. Each issue of bonds must mature in substantially equal annual installments so that the first installment is payable not later than 2 years and the last installment not later than 30 years after the date of issue. [PL 2023, c. 210, §2 (AMD).] D. Notwithstanding paragraph C , bonds issued by a regional school unit for a non-state-funded school construction project under section 15905‑A that is 100% locally funded may be repaid using a level debt payment structure only if the payment structure results in lower costs for the regional school unit throughout the life of the issue of the bonds. For purposes of this paragraph, "level debt payment structure" means a debt service structure in which the combined annual principal and interest payments remain approximately the same throughout the life of the issue of the bonds with increasing principal amounts and decreasing interest amounts each year. [PL 2015, c. 181, §1 (NEW).] [PL 2023, c. 210, §2 (AMD).]

3. Temporary notes. Prior to issuing authorized school construction bonds or notes, the regional school unit board may borrow in anticipation of their sale by issuing temporary notes and renewal notes subject to this subsection. A. The total face value amount of the temporary notes and renewal notes may not exceed at any one time the authorized outstanding amount of the school construction bonds or notes. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] B. If the proceeds of an issue of bonds are used in whole or in part to fund temporary notes, the period during which the issue of bonds is outstanding plus the period of the loan represented by the temporary notes or renewal notes may not exceed 30 years. [PL 2025, c. 197, §2 (AMD).] C. Temporary notes mature not later than 3 years from the date the first temporary note is issued. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] D. Temporary notes and renewal notes are legal obligations of the regional school unit. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] E. A regional school unit board that has received a certificate of approval of a school construction project pursuant to former Title 20, section 3458 to be paid in accordance with the alternate method prescribed in former Title 20, section 3460 may borrow in anticipation of unpaid portions of state aid and may issue temporary and renewal notes. [PL 2019, c. 398, §10 (AMD).] F. If the temporary or renewal notes in anticipation of state aid exceed the aggregate amount of state aid actually received by the regional school unit, the unexpended balance of those notes must be used for the repayment. If an outstanding balance remains, it must be included in the next annual budget and is not subject to change at the regional school unit budget meeting. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] [PL 2025, c. 197, §2 (AMD).]

4. Early redemption. Bonds or notes issued on behalf of a regional school unit may be made subject to call for redemption, with or without premium, at the election of the regional school unit board before the date fixed for final payment of those bonds or notes. When these bonds or notes are issued, they must contain provisions setting forth the method by which the option to call may be exercised, the procedure for payment in the event of call and the legal effect of making the call. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

5. Regional school unit status. Notes and bonds, and loans to pay current operating expenses and contracts, are legal obligations of the regional school unit. The regional school unit is a quasi-municipal corporation within the meaning of Title 30‑A, section 5701 , and all the provisions of that section apply to it. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

6. Debt limit. The aggregate principal amount of outstanding bonds or notes issued by a regional school unit for school construction purposes may not exceed, at any one time, 10% of the total of the last preceding state valuation of all the municipalities within the regional school unit plus an amount not to exceed 4% of that total regional school unit valuation set by the state board at the time of the initial approval of the school construction project. A. Indebtedness in excess of 10% incurred under the law as it existed prior to April 1, 1974 is validated. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] B. Outstanding school indebtedness assumed by the regional school unit must be included in its limit of indebtedness, excluding contracts and notes in anticipation of state aid issued pursuant to subsection 3 . [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] C. The percentage limit of the indebtedness for bonds or notes for school construction purposes authorized after April 27, 1967 must be fixed as of the time of authorization by the voters or, if no regional school unit meeting is held to authorize those bonds or notes, upon the expiration of 35 days following passage of a resolution of the regional school unit board as described in subsection 7 . [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] D. If the issuance of bonds or notes together with all outstanding indebtedness included within the regional school unit's limit of indebtedness would cause the regional school unit's indebtedness to exceed 10% of the total of the last preceding state valuation of all the municipalities within the regional school unit, the regional school unit board may not issue those bonds or notes until it has received a certificate of approval pursuant to former Title 20, section 3458 . [PL 2019, c. 398, §11 (AMD).] E. If a certificate of approval under former Title 20, section 3458 indicates that the state board has authorized state aid to be paid in accordance with the alternate method prescribed by former Title 20, section 3460 , the total estimated amount of state aid payable on account of the school construction project described in the certificate of approval must be treated as outstanding school indebtedness for the purpose of computing the borrowing capacity of the regional school unit to finance that project by issuing its bonds or notes. State aid is determined by applying the applicable percentage of state aid to the total estimated cost of the project, as set forth in the certificate of approval. [PL 2019, c. 398, §11 (AMD).] [PL 2019, c. 398, §11 (AMD).]

7. Bonds and notes under 1% of valuation. The regional school unit board may issue bonds or notes not to exceed 1% of the last preceding state valuation of all the municipalities within the regional school unit: A. By calling a regional school unit meeting to approve the issuance of those bonds or notes; or [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] B. By passing a resolution to that effect, setting forth the amount of the proposed issue and the purposes for which the proceeds will be used and meeting the following requirements. (1) The secretary of the regional school unit board shall, within 5 days of the date of the passage of the resolution, cause attested copies of the resolution to be posted in 3 public and conspicuous places within each of the municipalities within the regional school unit. The secretary shall make a return of the posting stating its time and place. The return must be kept with the records of the regional school unit, and a copy of the return must be mailed to each of the municipal officers of each municipality within the regional school unit. (2) If, within 35 days of the date of the passage of the resolution, petitions with signatures of at least 10% of the residents in the regional school unit eligible to vote on the date that the resolution was adopted are filed with the secretary requesting a vote of the regional school unit to approve or disapprove the issuance of the bonds or notes, the secretary of the regional school unit board shall immediately notify the regional school unit board. The regional school unit board shall call a referendum for that purpose as set forth in this chapter. (3) The regional school unit board may not authorize bonds or notes by resolution if the amount of the proposed issue, together with the amount of any other bonds or notes authorized solely by resolution and that are for the same purpose, exceeds 1% of the total of the last state valuation of all the participating municipalities. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1466 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103-A / Section 1466
20-A §1466. Withdrawal of a single municipality from a regional school unit
Status: in_force

1. Petition. Beginning January 1, 2012, the residents of a municipality that has been a member of a regional school unit for at least 30 months may petition to withdraw from the regional school unit in accordance with this subsection. A. Ten percent of the number of voters in the municipality who voted at the last gubernatorial election must sign the petition to withdraw from the regional school unit. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] B. At least 10 days before the special election called pursuant to this paragraph, the municipal officers of the municipality within the regional school unit shall hold a posted or otherwise advertised public hearing on the petition. The municipal officers shall call and hold a special election in the manner provided for the calling and holding of town meetings or city elections to vote on the withdrawal from the regional school unit. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] C. The petition to withdraw from the regional school unit must be approved by secret ballot by a majority vote of the voters present and voting before it may be presented to the regional school unit board and the commissioner. Voting in towns must be conducted in accordance with Title 30‑A, sections 2528 and 2529 , even if the towns have not accepted the provisions of Title 30‑A, section 2528 , and voting in cities must be conducted in accordance with Title 21‑A . [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] For the purposes of this subsection, the 30-month period after which a petition to withdraw may be considered in a member municipality of a school administrative district that was reformulated as a regional school unit pursuant to Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX, section 36, subsection 12 is 30 months after the original operational date of the school administrative district; and the 30-month period after which a petition to withdraw may be considered in a member municipality of a school administrative district that did not reformulate as a regional school unit but that became a member entity of an alternative organizational structure is 30 months after the operational date of the alternative organizational structure. [PL 2011, c. 328, §1 (AMD); PL 2011, c. 328, §2 (AFF).]

2. Form. Except as provided in subsection 2‑A , the article to be voted upon must be in substantially the following form: "Article: Do you favor filing a petition for withdrawal with the board of directors of regional school unit (name of regional school unit) and with the Commissioner of Education, authorizing the withdrawal committee to expend $ (insert amount) and authorizing the (municipal officers; i.e., selectpersons, town council, etc.) to issue notes in the name of the (name of the municipality) or otherwise pledge the credit of the (name of the municipality) in an amount not to exceed $ (insert amount) for this purpose? Yes No" [PL 2019, c. 302, §1 (AMD).]

2-A. Form for withdrawal for a regional school unit composed of a single municipality. If the regional school unit is composed of a single municipality, the article to be voted upon must be in substantially the following form: "Article: Do you favor filing a petition for withdrawal from and dissolution of regional school unit (name of regional school unit) with the board of directors of regional school unit (name of regional school unit) and with the Commissioner of Education, authorizing the withdrawal committee to expend $ (insert amount) and authorizing the (municipal officers; i.e., selectpersons, town council, etc.) to issue notes in the name of the (name of the municipality) or otherwise pledge the credit of the (name of the municipality) in an amount not to exceed $ (insert amount) for this purpose? Yes No" [PL 2019, c. 302, §2 (NEW).]

3. Notice of vote. If residents of the municipality vote favorably on a petition for withdrawal, the clerk shall immediately give written notice, by registered mail, to the secretary of the regional school unit and the commissioner that must include: A. The petition adopted by the voters, including the affirmative and negative votes cast; and [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] B. An explanation by the municipal officers, stating to the best of their knowledge the reason or reasons why the municipality seeks to withdraw from the regional school unit. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).]

4. Agreement for withdrawal; notice; changes in agreement; final agreement. The agreement for withdrawal must comply with this subsection. A. The commissioner shall direct the municipal officers of the petitioning municipality to select representatives to a withdrawal committee as follows: one member from the municipal officers, one member from the general public and one member from the group filing the petition. The commissioner shall also direct the directors of the regional school unit board representing the petitioning municipality to select one member of the regional school unit board who represents that municipality to serve on the withdrawal committee. The municipal officer and the member of the regional school unit board serve on the withdrawal committee only so long as they hold their respective offices. Vacancies must be filled by the municipal officers and the regional school unit board. The chair of the regional school unit board shall call a meeting of the withdrawal committee within 30 days of the notice of the vote in subsection 3 . The chair of the regional school unit board shall open the meeting by presiding over the election of a chair of the withdrawal committee. The responsibility for the preparation of the agreement rests with the withdrawal committee, subject to the approval of the commissioner. The withdrawal committee may draw upon the resources of the department for information not readily available at the local level and employ competent advisors within the fiscal limit authorized by the voters. The agreement must be submitted to the commissioner within 90 days after the withdrawal committee is formed. Extensions of time may be granted by the commissioner upon the request of the withdrawal committee. (1) The agreement must contain provisions to provide educational services for all students of the petitioning municipality within the regional school unit. The agreement must provide that during the first year following the withdrawal students may attend the school they would have attended if the petitioning municipality had not withdrawn. The allowable tuition rate for students sent from one municipality to another in the former regional school unit must be determined under section 5805, subsection 1 , except that it is not subject to the state per pupil average limitation in section 5805, subsection 2 . (2) The agreement must establish that the withdrawal takes effect at the end of the regional school unit's fiscal year. (3) The agreement must establish that the withdrawal will not cause a need within 5 years from the effective date of withdrawal for school construction projects that would be eligible for state funds. This limitation does not apply when a need for school construction existed prior to the effective date of the withdrawal or when a need for school construction would have arisen even if the municipality had not withdrawn. (4) The agreement must establish how transportation services will be provided. (5) The agreement must provide for administration of the new administrative unit, which should not include the creation of new supervisory units if at all possible. (6) The agreement must make provision for the distribution of financial commitments arising from outstanding bonds, notes and any other contractual obligations that extend beyond the proposed date of withdrawal. (7) The agreement must provide appropriately for the distribution of any outstanding financial commitments to the superintendent of the regional school unit. (8) The agreement must provide for the continuation and assignment of collective bargaining agreements as they apply to the new or reorganized regional school unit for the duration of those agreements and must provide for the continuation of representational rights. (9) The agreement must provide for the continuation of continuing contract rights under section 13201 . (10) The agreement must provide for the disposition of all real and personal property and other monetary assets. (11) The agreement must provide for the transition of administration and governance of the schools to properly elected governing bodies of the newly created administrative unit and must provide that the governing body may not be elected simultaneously with the vote on the article to withdraw unless the commissioner finds there are extenuating circumstances that necessitate simultaneous elections. (12) The agreement must contain provisions to provide child nutrition services in compliance with state and federal laws at schools operated by the petitioning municipality. (13) The agreement must include an anticipated budget for the petitioning municipality for the first year of operation of schools operated by the petitioning municipality. The budget must include an estimate of all revenues and expenditures in accordance with the cost center summary budget format pursuant to section 1485 . [PL 2017, c. 385, §1 (AMD).] B. Within 60 days of the receipt of the agreement, the commissioner shall either give it conditional approval or recommend changes. The changes must be based upon the standards set forth in paragraph A and the commissioner's findings of whether the contents of the agreement will provide for appropriate educational and related services to the students of the petitioning municipality and for the orderly transition of assets, governance and other matters related to the petitioning municipality and the regional school unit. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] C. If the commissioner gives conditional approval of the agreement, the commissioner shall notify the regional school unit board and the municipal officers by registered mail of the time and place of a public hearing at least 20 days prior to the date set for the hearing to discuss the merits of the proposed agreement of withdrawal. The chair of the regional school unit board shall conduct the hearing. (1) The regional school unit board shall post a public notice in each municipality of the time and location of the hearing at least 10 days before the hearing. (2) Within 30 days following the hearing under this paragraph, the withdrawal committee shall forward the final agreement to the commissioner. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] D. If the commissioner recommends changes to the agreement, the commissioner shall: (1) Send the agreement back to the withdrawal committee for necessary corrections; (2) Establish a maximum time within which to make the corrections; and (3) Indicate that the corrected agreement must be returned to the commissioner for conditional approval before it goes to public hearing as set forth in paragraph C . [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] [PL 2017, c. 385, §1 (AMD).]

5. Date of municipal election; notice; warrant; polling hours. The date and time for voting is as set forth in this subsection. A. The commissioner shall determine the date upon which the voters of the petitioning municipality must vote upon the agreement submitted to them. The election must be held as soon as practicable, and the commissioner shall attempt to set the date of the vote to coincide with a statewide election. The commissioner shall set a date that allows determination of the vote no later than November 30th of the year prior to the intended July 1st effective operational date for the schools of the withdrawn municipality. [PL 2017, c. 385, §2 (AMD).] B. At least 35 days before the date set in paragraph A , the commissioner shall give written notice of the date by registered or certified mail to the town clerk or city clerk of the municipality petitioning to withdraw. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] C. The town clerk or city clerk shall immediately notify the municipal officers upon receipt of the notice under paragraph B , and the municipal officers shall meet and immediately issue a warrant for a special town meeting or city election, as the case may be, to be held on the date designated by the commissioner. No other date may be used. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] D. In a warrant under paragraph C , the municipal officers shall direct that the polls are to be open by 10 a.m. and remain open until 8 p.m. [PL 2013, c. 167, Pt. A, §1 (AMD).] [PL 2017, c. 385, §2 (AMD).]

6. Public hearing; voting procedures. The following requirements apply to the voting procedures. A. At least 10 days before the election, the municipal officers shall hold a posted or otherwise advertised public hearing on the withdrawal question. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] B. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the voting at the meeting held in a town must be conducted in accordance with Title 30‑A, sections 2528 and 2529 , even if the town has not accepted the provisions of Title 30‑A, section 2528 . [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] C. The voting at the meeting held in a city must be conducted in accordance with Title 21‑A . [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).]

7. Article. Except as provided in subsection 7‑A , the article to be voted on must be in the following form. "Article: Do you favor the withdrawal of the (name of municipality) from the regional school unit (name of regional school unit) subject to the terms and conditions of the withdrawal agreement dated (insert date)? Yes No" [PL 2019, c. 302, §3 (AMD).]

7-A. Article for a regional school unit composed of a single municipality. If the regional school unit is composed of a single municipality, the article to be voted upon must be in substantially the following form: "Article: Do you favor the withdrawal of the (name of municipality) from the regional school unit (name of regional school unit) and the dissolution of the regional school unit (name of regional school unit) subject to the terms and conditions of the withdrawal agreement dated (insert date)? Yes No" [PL 2019, c. 302, §4 (NEW).]

8. Ballots; posting of agreement. The withdrawal agreement need not be printed on the ballot. Copies of the agreement must be posted in the municipality in the same manner as specimen ballots are posted under Title 30‑A, section 2528 . [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).]

9. Required vote. Before the municipality may withdraw from the regional school unit, the withdrawal agreement must be approved by a majority vote of those casting valid votes in the municipality, and the total number of votes cast for and against withdrawal at the municipal vote must equal or exceed 50% of the total number of votes cast in the municipality for Governor at the last gubernatorial election. [PL 2013, c. 461, §1 (AMD).]

9-A. Required vote; exception for a municipality of a school administrative district that was reformulated as a regional school unit. A 2/3 vote of those casting valid votes in the municipality is required before a municipality that is a member municipality of a school administrative district that was reformulated as a regional school unit pursuant to Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX, section 36, subsection 12, as amended by Public Law 2007, chapter 668, section 48, may withdraw from the regional school unit. [PL 2013, c. 461, §2 (AMD).]

9-B. Required vote. [PL 2013, c. 461, §3 (RP).]

10. Restriction on withdrawal petitions. A municipality within a regional school unit may not petition for withdrawal within 2 years after the date of: A. A municipal vote on a petition for withdrawal if the petition received less than 45% of the votes cast; or [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] B. A municipal vote on a withdrawal agreement if the agreement received less than 45% of the votes cast. [PL 2013, c. 461, §4 (AMD).] [PL 2013, c. 461, §4 (AMD).]

10-A. Restriction on withdrawal petitions for a municipality of a school administrative district that was reformulated as a regional school unit. A municipality that is part of a school administrative district that was reformulated as a regional school unit pursuant to Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX, section 36, subsection 12, as amended by Public Law 2007, chapter 668, section 48, may not petition for withdrawal within 2 years after the date of: A. A municipal vote on a petition for withdrawal if the petition received less than 45% of the votes cast; or [PL 2013, c. 461, §5 (NEW).] B. A municipal vote on a withdrawal agreement if the agreement received less than 60% of the votes cast. [PL 2013, c. 461, §5 (NEW).] [PL 2013, c. 461, §5 (NEW).]

11. Cost of advisors. The expense of employing competent advisors by the municipality petitioning to withdraw must be borne by the municipality, and the expense of employing competent advisors by the regional school unit must be borne by the regional school unit with the municipality bearing its share according to the regional school unit's cost-sharing agreement. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).]

12. Determination of vote. The town clerk or city clerk shall, within 24 hours of determination of the result of the vote in the municipality, certify the total number of votes cast in the affirmative and the total number of votes cast in the negative on the article to the commissioner. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).]

13. Determination of results; execution of agreement. Except for a school administrative district that was reformulated as a regional school unit pursuant to Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX, section 36, subsection 12, as amended by Public Law 2007, chapter 668, section 48, if the commissioner finds that a majority of the voters voting on the article has voted in the affirmative and the total number of votes cast for and against the article equal or exceed 50% of the total number of votes cast in the municipality for Governor at the last gubernatorial election, the commissioner shall notify the municipal officers and the regional school unit board to take steps for the withdrawal in accordance with the terms of the agreement for withdrawal. For a municipality that is part of a school administrative district that was reformulated as a regional school unit pursuant to Public Law 2007, chapter 240, Part XXXX, section 36, subsection 12, as amended by Public Law 2007, chapter 668, section 48, if the commissioner finds that at least 2/3 of the votes validly cast in the municipality are in the affirmative, the commissioner shall notify the municipal officers and the regional school unit board to take steps for the withdrawal in accordance with the terms of the agreement for withdrawal. [PL 2013, c. 461, §6 (AMD).]

13-A. Determination of results; execution of agreement; effective date. [PL 2013, c. 461, §7 (RP).]

14. Recount; checklists and ballots; disputed ballots. This subsection applies to recounts, checklists, ballots and disputed ballots. A. If, within 7 days of the computation and recording of the results of the voting, the municipality requests to the commissioner in writing a recount of the votes, the commissioner shall immediately cause the checklists and all the ballots cast in the municipality to be collected and kept at the commissioner's office so they may be recounted by the municipality. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] B. The town clerk or city clerk of the municipality is authorized to deliver the checklists and ballots to the commissioner, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] C. The commissioner shall resolve any question with regard to disputed ballots. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).]

15. Execution of agreement; certified record; certificate of withdrawal. When the agreement for withdrawal has been put into effect by the municipality, the municipal officers shall notify the commissioner by certified mail that the agreement of withdrawal has been executed. A complete certified record of the transaction involved in the withdrawal must be filed with the commissioner. The commissioner shall immediately issue a certificate of withdrawal to be sent by certified mail for filing with the regional school unit board and shall file a copy in the office of the Secretary of State. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).]

16. Indebtedness. This subsection applies to outstanding indebtedness. A. Whenever a municipality withdraws from a regional school unit having outstanding indebtedness, the regional school unit remains intact for the purpose of securing and retiring the indebtedness. The withdrawal agreement may provide for alternate means for retiring outstanding indebtedness. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] B. For the purposes of this subsection, "outstanding indebtedness" means bonds or notes issued or assumed by the regional school unit board and lease-purchase agreements issued or assumed by the regional school unit, but does not include any indebtedness of the withdrawing municipality assumed by the regional school unit at the time of formation. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).]

17. General purpose aid. When a municipality withdraws from a regional school unit, the general purpose aid for the municipality must be computed in accordance with chapter 606‑B . [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).]

18. Committee recall. If the commissioner determines that the withdrawal committee has failed to comply with the requirements of this section, the commissioner may authorize the municipal officers to appoint new representatives to the withdrawal committee. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).]

19. Transfer of property. The regional school unit board may negotiate with the withdrawal committee regarding an equitable division of the regional school unit's property between the regional school unit and the municipality represented by the withdrawal committee and transfer title of the property to the municipality following withdrawal. The regional school unit board shall determine that the regional school unit's educational program will not be disrupted solely because of the transfer of any given property before it may complete the transfer. [PL 2009, c. 580, §9 (NEW).]

20. Reorganization; penalties. [PL 2011, c. 251, §7 (RP); PL 2011, c. 251, §12 (AFF).]

21. Dissolution. Except as otherwise provided in this section, upon the withdrawal of a municipality from a regional school unit that is composed of a single municipality, the regional school unit is dissolved. [PL 2019, c. 302, §5 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 4773 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 208-A / Section 4773
20-A §4773. Dissemination of information
Status: in_force

School administrative units shall provide general information concerning postsecondary education options available to parents and students. [PL 1997, c. 758, §2 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1492 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103-A / Section 1492
20-A §1492. Bid procedure
Status: in_force

1. Written bids. Bids must be in writing, sealed with the outside envelope or wrapper plainly marked "Bid, not to be opened until (appropriate date)" and mailed to or filed with the superintendent. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

2. Time of opening . A director on the regional school unit board or an employee of the regional school unit may not open a bid until the appointed time. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

3. Public opening. At the time and place stated in the public notice, and open to the public, all bids must be opened by the superintendent or, in the superintendent's absence or disability, by any director designated for the purpose by the chair of the regional school unit board. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

4. Reading. If any citizens who are not directors or employees of the regional school unit are present or if any representatives of the press are present, bids must at the time of opening either be made available for examination by them or must be read aloud in a manner to be heard plainly by those in attendance. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 8458 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 313 / Section 8458
20-A §8458. Career and technical education director; chief administrative officer
Status: in_force

1. Employment of career and technical education director. The cooperative board shall employ a certified career and technical education director who shall administer, in compliance with this section, the provision of career and technical education in the region. A. [PL 1991, c. 518, §26 (RP).] B. [PL 1991, c. 518, §26 (RP).] [RR 2003, c. 2, §64 (COR).]

2. Duties. [PL 1991, c. 518, §26 (RP).]

3. Ex officio administrative officer. [PL 1991, c. 518, §26 (RP).]

4. Appointment of chief administrative officer. The cooperative board shall appoint a chief administrative officer who shall administer the region in compliance with policy set by the cooperative board, nominate teachers and other employees for employment by the region and perform such other duties as are assigned to the chief administrative officer by the cooperative board. The cooperative board shall appoint as the chief administrative officer either: A. The career and technical education director; or [RR 2003, c. 2, §64 (COR).] B. The superintendent of a unit in the region. [PL 1991, c. 518, §26 (NEW).] [RR 2003, c. 2, §64 (COR).]

5. Appointment of treasurer and secretary. The cooperative board may appoint the career and technical education director or the chief administrative officer as treasurer or secretary, or both, of the cooperative board. [RR 2003, c. 2, §64 (COR).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1352 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103 / Section 1352
20-A §1352. Method of calling a district referendum
Status: in_force

A district referendum shall be initiated by a warrant prepared and signed by a majority of the board of directors. The warrant shall be countersigned by the municipal officers in the municipality where the warrants are posted. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).]

1. Municipal officers. The warrant shall direct the municipal officers within the district to call a referendum on a date and time determined by the board of directors. A warrant shall be prepared and distributed at least 30 days prior to the date of the referendum, except that a warrant for a school district budget referendum held in accordance with section 1305, subsection 2 , shall be prepared and distributed at least 14 days prior to the date of the referendum. A. The warrant shall be directed to a resident of the district by name, ordering the resident to notify the municipal officers of each of the municipalities within the district, to call a town meeting or city election on the date specified by the board of directors. No other date may be used. The person who serves the warrant shall make a return on the warrant stating the manner of services and the time when it was given. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] B. The warrant shall be served on the municipal clerk of each of the municipalities within the district by delivering an attested copy of the warrant in hand within 3 days of the date of the warrant. The municipal clerk, on receipt of the warrant, shall immediately notify the municipal officers within the municipality. The municipal officers shall forthwith meet, countersign and have the warrant posted. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] C. The warrants and other notices for the referendum must be in the same manner as provided in Title 21‑A , except that the district board of directors shall hold a public hearing at least 7 days before the referendum vote. At least 7 days before the public hearing, the board of directors shall give notice of the public hearing by having a copy of the proposed referendum, together with the time and place of hearing, posted in the same manner required for posting a warrant under this section. [PL 1999, c. 93, §1 (AMD).] [PL 1999, c. 93, §1 (AMD).]

2. Content of the warrant. The warrant shall set forth the articles to be acted on in each municipal referendum. The articles shall have the following form. A. When a referendum is called for the purpose of authorizing the issuance of bonds or notes for capital outlay purposes, the articles shall be substantially as follows. (1) "Shall the school directors of School Administrative District No....... be authorized to issue bonds or notes in the name of this district for school construction purposes in an amount not to exceed $.......... to construct a ....................................................... (elementary or secondary school) to be located at......................... (specifically defined lot where school is to be erected) Yes No " (2) "Shall the school director of School Administrative District No...... be authorized to issue bonds or notes in the name of this district for school construction or minor capital projects in an amount not to exceed $.......... for the purpose of ..................................................... (here state purpose of school construction project) Yes No " (3) "Shall the school directors of School Administrative District No........ be authorized to use the bond issue or notes in an amount not to exceed $......... which was voted by the district on ................... (date) to construct a ........................... (elementary or secondary school) to be located at ............................................................................... (specifically define lot where school is to be located) Yes No " (4) "Shall the school directors of School Administrative District No. ........ be authorized to construct a .......................................................... (elementary or secondary school) to be located at ................................................................... (specifically defined lot where school is to be located) with the total project cost not to exceed $......... and to issue bonds or notes in the name of this district for school construction purposes in an amount not to exceed $......... with the balance of the total project costs to be derived from ..................................................................... (description of other sources of funds such as initial state share where approved for current fiscal year funding, proceeds from insured losses, money from federal sources, other noneducational funds, etc.) Yes No " [PL 1985, c. 506, Pt. B, §§14, 18 (AMD).] B. When a district votes to change the site of its school construction project using the article in paragraph A , subparagraph (3), the date of authorization of the project is the original date the voters authorized the board of directors to issue bonds or notes for that project. [RR 1991, c. 2, §57 (COR).] C. When a referendum is called for the purposes of approving the addition of a municipality to the district, the article must be in the form set forth in section 1465, subsection 3 . [PL 2023, c. 405, Pt. A, §37 (AMD).] D. When a referendum is called for the purpose of approving a proposed lease agreement with the Maine School Building Authority, the article shall be exactly as is set forth in the proposed lease agreement. [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] E. When a referendum is called for the purpose of authorizing the school board to contract for the schooling of secondary pupils, the article shall be as follows. "Shall the school directors of School Administrative District No...... be authorized to contract in the name of this district with ................................................. (Name of Administrative Unit or Academy) for the schooling of secondary pupils for a term of .................... years? Yes No " [PL 1983, c. 485, §15 (AMD).] F. [PL 1983, c. 422, §9 (RP).] G. When a referendum is called for the purpose of authorizing a change in the method of sharing costs in the district, the article shall be as follows. "Shall the method of sharing costs in School Administrative District No....... be changed from the present method ........................... (describe) to the following method: ..................... (describe) Yes No " [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] H. When a referendum is called for the purposes of accepting or rejecting a prospective gift, the article shall be as follows. "Shall the school directors of School Administrative District No....... be authorized to accept a prospective gift under the following conditions? .................................. (set forth terms and conditions) Yes No " [PL 1981, c. 693, §§5, 8 (NEW).] I. When a referendum is called for the purpose of approving the agreement to transfer a municipality from one district to another district, the article must be in the form set forth in section 1467, subsection 2 . [PL 2023, c. 646, Pt. A, §21 (AMD).] [PL 2023, c. 646, Pt. A, §21 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 4502 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 3 / Chapter 206 / Section 4502
20-A §4502. School approval requirements
Status: in_force

1. General requirements. Elementary and secondary schools and school administrative units, including an educational program or school located in or operated by a juvenile correctional facility, shall meet all requirements of the system of learning results as established in section 6209 as well as other requirements of this Title and other statutory requirements applicable to the public schools and basic school approval standards. Each school administrative unit shall prepare and implement a comprehensive education plan that is aligned with the system of learning results, focused on the learning of all students and oriented to continuous improvement. The comprehensive education plan must include a plan for the graduation requirements of section 4722 . This plan must also address all other plans required by the department. [PL 2017, c. 466, §5 (AMD).]

1-A. Developmentally appropriate educational practices; kindergarten to grade 2. The commissioner shall adopt rules to address developmentally appropriate educational practices for kindergarten to grade 2. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [RR 2019, c. 2, Pt. A, §23 (COR).]

2. Curriculum requirements. Schools must meet all curriculum requirements established in chapter 207‑A . Schools that offer public preschool programs shall demonstrate curriculum practice for those programs that implements the Maine early learning and development standards established by the department and is appropriate for the age and development level of the children. [PL 2021, c. 571, §2 (AMD).]

3. School year. Schools shall comply with section 4801 . [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§20, 25 (NEW).]

4. Staff qualifications. School boards shall employ only teachers and other educational personnel who are properly certified in accordance with certification rules adopted pursuant to chapter 502 and other professional personnel who hold appropriate professional licenses issued by the State. [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§20, 25 (NEW).]

4-A. Affirmative action plan. Each school administrative unit shall develop an affirmative action plan in accordance with Title 5, chapter 65 as part of the school approval process and update this plan annually as necessary. The affirmative action plan must include a description of the status of the unit's nondiscriminatory hiring practice provided in section 1001, subsection 13 and plans for in-service training programs on gender equity for teachers, administrators and school boards. The unit shall submit any update of the plan annually to the commissioner. [PL 2013, c. 506, §8 (AMD).]

4-B. Economic discrimination. A school board may consider the economic conditions within its geographical area of jurisdiction in assigning pupils to schools within a school administrative unit or a centralized education program but may not make assignments solely on the basis of economic condition. [PL 1993, c. 644, §1 (NEW).]

5. Other requirements. The state board and the commissioner shall jointly adopt basic school approval rules governing school administrative units and elementary and secondary schools. These rules must set minimum requirements in the following areas, incorporating such requirements as are established by statute: A. Instructional time, including a minimum school day and week; [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§20, 25 (NEW).] B. Staffing, including student-teacher ratios that permit maximum student-teacher ratios of 25:1 school-wide for kindergarten to grade 8 and maximum student-teacher ratios of 30:1 school-wide for grades 9 to 12; [PL 2009, c. 313, §2 (AMD).] C. Physical facilities, incorporating the school construction rules of the state board; [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§20, 25 (NEW).] D. Requirements for equipment and libraries; [PL 2009, c. 313, §2 (AMD).] E. Minimum school size, but including recognition of geographically isolated schools; [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§20, 25 (NEW).] F. Grade and program organization; [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§20, 25 (NEW).] G. Assessment and evaluation of student performance; [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§20, 25 (NEW).] H. Student personnel services, including guidance and counseling and, notwithstanding any rules adopted by the department, comprehensive guidance plans to be approved by the commissioner; [PL 2009, c. 313, §2 (AMD).] I. Records, record keeping and reporting requirements; [PL 1983, c. 859, Pt. A, §§20, 25 (NEW).] J. Health, sanitation and safety requirements, including compliance with section 6302 ; [PL 1991, c. 181, §1 (AMD).] K. School improvement; [PL 1997, c. 428, §1 (AMD).] L. [PL 2001, c. 454, §13 (RP).] L-1. A plan for training and development of all personnel that is aligned with the system of learning results as established in section 6209 ; [PL 2001, c. 454, §14 (NEW).] M. The use of time-out areas, administered in accordance with requirements adopted by the department and with this paragraph. The use of a time-out area is subject to the following: (1) The time-out area must be well ventilated and sufficiently lighted. The time-out area may not be locked; and (2) The time-out area must be designed to ensure the safety of the student so that the student is supervised by a professional staff member in the room or can be observed from outside of the time-out area and can be heard by a person supervising the time-out area; [PL 2009, c. 313, §2 (AMD).] N. Preparation of a written local policy and implementation of training for all unlicensed personnel who administer medication in accordance with the requirements under section 254, subsection 5 ; [PL 2007, c. 141, §8 (AMD).] O. Preparation of a written local policy and implementation of training for all guidance counselors and school personnel who administer reintegration planning pursuant to section 254, subsection 12 , who participate in a reintegration team and who have access to confidential criminal justice information regarding juveniles pursuant to section 1055, subsection 12 ; and [PL 2007, c. 141, §9 (AMD).] P. Provision of family outreach and support programs designed to improve parent-school relations and parenting skills consistent with section 4252, subsection 8 . [PL 2007, c. 141, §10 (NEW).] [PL 2009, c. 313, §2 (AMD).]

5-A. Application. [PL 2009, c. 313, §3 (RP).]

5-B. Suicide awareness education and training. Each school administrative unit shall develop a plan for suicide prevention awareness education for all school personnel and suicide prevention and intervention training for certain personnel in accordance with this subsection. A. Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year for high schools and in the 2015-2016 school year for elementary and middle schools, a one-hour to 2-hour in-service training module in suicide prevention awareness must be completed by all school personnel. School personnel shall complete the training module by the commencement of the school year or, for those employees who are newly hired, within 6 months from the beginning of employment. Suicide prevention awareness education must be repeated every 5 years. [PL 2013, c. 53, §1 (NEW).] B. Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, a one-day course in suicide prevention and intervention training that will result in at least 2 school personnel trained in suicide prevention and intervention must be implemented by each school administrative unit and by each island, charter and public school that is not in a school administrative unit. Additional trained school personnel above the minimum of 2 must receive the training if the number of students in the school administrative unit is above 1,000 as follows: (1) For 1,001 to 1,500 students, one additional school employee; (2) For 1,501 to 2,000 students, 2 additional school personnel; (3) For 2,001 to 2,500 students, 3 additional school personnel; (4) For 2,501 to 3,000 students, 4 additional school personnel; (5) For 3,001 to 3,500 students, 5 additional school personnel; (6) For 3,501 to 4,000 students, 6 additional school personnel; (7) For 4,001 to 4,500 students, 7 additional school personnel; (8) For 4,501 to 5,000 students, 8 additional school personnel; (9) For 5,001 to 5,500 students, 9 additional school personnel; (10) For 5,501 to 6,000 students, 10 additional school personnel; (11) For 6,001 to 6,500 students, 11 additional school personnel; (12) For 6,501 to 7,000 students, 12 additional school personnel; (13) For 7,001 to 7,500 students, 13 additional school personnel; and (14) For 7,501 or more students, 14 additional school personnel. Suicide prevention and intervention training must be repeated every 5 years. [PL 2013, c. 53, §1 (NEW).] C. Suicide prevention awareness education and suicide prevention and intervention training under this subsection must conform to national guidelines adopted by organizations that offer best practices, research-based training. [PL 2013, c. 53, §1 (NEW).] D. Training pursuant to this subsection must count toward satisfaction of professional development requirements for the department and certification requirements for teachers and other professional personnel under chapters 501 and 502 . [PL 2013, c. 53, §1 (NEW).] The department shall adopt rules to implement this subsection. The rules must include, but are not limited to, implementation standards for suicide prevention awareness education and for suicide prevention and intervention training. Standards adopted for suicide prevention awareness education must be made available on the department’s publicly accessible website. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection before July 1, 2014 are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . Beginning July 1, 2014, rules adopted by the department pursuant to this subsection are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A . [PL 2013, c. 53, §1 (NEW).]

5-C. Child sexual abuse prevention education and response. Beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, a school administrative unit that operates a public preschool program or an elementary school shall adopt a written local policy for child sexual abuse prevention education and response that is consistent with the model policy developed by the commissioner pursuant to section 254, subsection 18 . [PL 2015, c. 292, §2 (NEW).]

6. Annual report on comprehensive education plan. The superintendent shall make an annual report of progress on the comprehensive education plan, developed pursuant to subsection 1 , to the citizens of the school administrative unit. The school board shall annually review and approve the plan. The superintendent shall certify progress on the plan to the commissioner on an annual basis and shall submit to the commissioner a copy of the minutes of the school board meeting at which the school board reviewed and approved the plan. [PL 2011, c. 669, §4 (AMD).]

7. Juvenile corrections facilities. An educational program or school for juveniles located in or operated by a correctional facility must be reviewed for approval by the department on an annual basis, with special attention paid to alternative educational programming and discharge planning and related transition services provided to juveniles who are released from juvenile correctional facilities and enrolled in public schools in the State. The department shall report to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over appropriations, criminal justice and education matters on the results of the review by January 15th of each year. [PL 2001, c. 452, §11 (AMD).]

8. Waivers. The commissioner may grant a school administrative unit a waiver of one or more school approval requirements upon receipt of an application from the school administrative unit that includes the basis for the waiver request and a plan to reduce reliance on waivers in subsequent years. A. Financial hardship is one criterion the commissioner must consider in determining whether to grant a waiver. [PL 2011, c. 669, §5 (NEW).] B. [PL 2017, c. 466, §6 (RP).] C. [PL 2017, c. 466, §6 (RP).] [PL 2017, c. 466, §6 (AMD).]

9. Public preschool programs for children 4 years of age. To the extent the State provides adequate start-up funding for a public preschool program for children 4 years of age, a school administrative unit that does not have a public preschool program for children 4 years of age may develop a public preschool program implementation plan for children 4 years of age for submission to and approval by the department. Evaluation and approval of the proposal must include consideration of at least the following factors: A. Demonstrated coordination with other early childhood programs in the community to maximize resources; [PL 2007, c. 141, §11 (NEW).] B. Consideration of the extended child care needs of working parents; and [PL 2007, c. 141, §11 (NEW).] C. Provision of public notice regarding the proposal to the community being served, including the extent to which public notice has been disseminated broadly to other early childhood programs in the community. [PL 2007, c. 141, §11 (NEW).] Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, the commissioner may provide start-up funding as set forth in section 4271 to school administrative units to implement or expand public preschool programs for children 4 years of age as required under this subsection. [PL 2013, c. 581, §5 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 7205 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 4 / Chapter 303 / Section 7205
20-A §7205. Review and assistance
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the Legislature that a representative of the commissioner visit special education programs for the purpose of review and assistance and as necessary to comply with federal general supervision requirements. Nothing in this section prohibits a school administrative unit from requesting that a representative of the commissioner visit a particular special education program for the purpose of review and assistance whenever necessary. The commissioner shall comply with each request in a timely fashion. [PL 2009, c. 508, §4 (AMD).]
20-A M.R.S. § 11651 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 5 / Chapter 419-C / Section 11651
20-A §11651. Scholarships for Maine Fund
Status: in_force

The Scholarships for Maine Fund is created and established as a nonlapsing fund under the jurisdiction and control of the Finance Authority of Maine. All revenues credited to this fund must be distributed as scholarships based on need for residents of the State who are enrolled in an accredited postsecondary education program of at least one year. The Finance Authority of Maine shall award scholarships and adopt rules for determining eligibility, terms and conditions of grants. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II‑A . Interest earned on amounts in the fund may be used for the costs of administering the grants. [PL 1997, c. 97, §5 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 19107 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 9 / Chapter 801 / Section 19107
20-A §19107. Actions by Legislature
Status: in_force

The Legislature annually, prior to March 15th, shall enact legislation to allocate the funding level necessary to implement the annual learning technology plan. The Legislature may allocate for expenditure by the commissioner for eligible kindergarten to grade 12 schools and eligible programs under the commissioner's jurisdiction all the resources available for the programs involved in the annual learning technology plan. [PL 2001, c. 358, Pt. II, §6 (NEW).]
20-A M.R.S. § 1506 — ME Code / Title 20-A / Part 2 / Chapter 103-A / Section 1506
20-A §1506. Debt liability
Status: in_force

1. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. A. "Existing debt" means any bond, note, loan agreement, lease-purchase agreement or other debt instrument issued prior to July 1st of the first operational year of the new unit for the purposes of funding public schools and career and technical education regions, or for refinancing such debt, that remains outstanding at the time of a reorganization pursuant to this chapter. "Existing debt" does not include routine payables or commercial contract obligations. [PL 2007, c. 668, §22 (AMD).] B. "Original education unit" means: (1) A previous education unit that has existing debt; (2) A municipality that has existing debt incurred on behalf of a previous education unit; or (3) A previous education unit within a career and technical education region as defined by section 8301‑A that has existing debt. [PL 2007, c. 668, §23 (AMD).] C. "New unit" means a regional school unit created or established pursuant to this chapter. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 668, §§22, 23 (AMD).]

2. Liability remains with original unit. Existing debt held by an original education unit remains the obligation of that original education unit after reorganization pursuant to this chapter. An original education unit may not be finally dissolved while any existing debt held by the original education unit remains outstanding. All aspects of an original education unit's administrative or political organization may be merged into a new unit or otherwise modified to accomplish the purposes of this chapter but its existing debt and its right to secure payment of such debt from income streams that existed at the time of the issuance of such debt may not be affected or altered except as authorized by this section. A. A new unit may agree to pay the existing debt of an original education unit that is included within the new unit. If the new unit pays the existing debt, the original education unit is relieved of paying that debt, but, in the event that the new unit fails to pay any amount of the existing debt, the original education unit remains responsible for the deficiency. The original education unit shall ensure that timely payments of existing debt are made, regardless of whether the new unit has agreed to make the debt payments. An original education unit may contract with a new unit for the administration of, transfer or delegate to and a new unit may accept and exercise on behalf of the original education unit for the remaining term of any existing debt all those powers and duties reasonable and necessary for the payment of existing debt of the original education unit. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or any provision of any trust agreement, a new unit may use any sinking fund or other money set aside by the original education unit to pay an existing debt to pay that debt. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] C. A new unit may issue bonds or other debt instruments for the purpose of refinancing or retiring the existing debt of an original education unit. The issuance of such bonds or other debt must be in accordance with applicable procedural requirements, including the procedural requirements of section 1490 . [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

3. No impact on state debt subsidies. A change in any administrative or political organization resulting from the creation of a new unit may not affect any state subsidy with respect to existing debt or the relative portion of any such debt paid or reimbursed by the State except as provided in this subsection. A. The original education unit may continue to pay its existing debt obligations in due course as though no new unit had been created and its choice to do so may not reduce or otherwise affect the level of state assistance or subsidy with respect to that existing debt. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] B. If the original education unit and the new unit choose to refinance the existing debt, the state subsidy or assistance with respect to the debt must be determined as of the date of the new issuance and must be based on that refinancing and not on any previous subsidy or assistance calculation related to the existing debt. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).] [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]

4. Debt of original education units. After July 1st of the first operational year of the new unit for each original education unit with existing debt that has reorganized into a new unit, if the new unit has not agreed to assume liability to pay that existing debt, the regional school unit board shall serve as agent for purposes of that existing debt and has full authority to: A. Sue and be sued in the name of the original education unit with respect to the existing debt; [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §18 (RPR).] B. Determine the debt service due each fiscal year on any existing debt; [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §18 (RPR).] C. As applicable, allocate to each member of the original education unit the member's share of the annual debt service for the existing debt of the original education unit in addition to each member's share of costs of the new unit; [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §18 (RPR).] D. Collect the allocation for debt service on the existing debt from the original education unit or, as applicable, from each member of the original education unit in addition to each member's share of costs of the new unit; [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §18 (RPR).] E. Pay the debt service on the existing debt of the original education unit when due; and [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §18 (RPR).] F. Take all other actions necessary and proper with respect to the existing debt. [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §18 (RPR).] Allocations between members of the original education unit to pay the debt service for the existing debt must be made on the basis of the cost-sharing formula of the original education unit in effect on July 1, 2007, as applied to the year of allocation. In the case of state-subsidized debt service, the provisions of subsection 3 apply. Amounts to pay the debt service on the existing debt of the original education units must be included in the budget that the regional school unit board of a new unit submits for approval. If the original education unit is divided between different new units that have not agreed to assume liability to pay the existing debt, the commissioner shall require that the reorganization plan of one of those new units provide for that new unit to serve as agent for purposes of the existing debt of the original education unit. That new unit, as agent, has the authority provided by this subsection, except that the new unit shall notify the other new units containing members of the original education unit of the amounts they must assess and collect from their members who were members of the original education unit, and those other new units shall perform the functions in paragraphs C and D with respect to their members, and shall pay the appropriate amounts over to the new unit serving as agent. [PL 2011, c. 691, Pt. A, §18 (RPR).]

5. Bonds to complete school construction and renovation. If the legislative body of an original education unit has authorized the issuance of bonds for a school construction project or a minor capital project, but that original education unit has not yet issued all of the authorized permanent bonds for that project, the board of the new unit that includes all the members of the original education unit shall issue bonds or notes necessary to finance the completion of that project and to refund temporary notes that the original education unit issued in anticipation of permanent bonds for that project. No further action by the legislative body of the new unit is required. The bonds at any time outstanding for the project may not exceed the amount authorized by the legislative body of the original education unit except to the extent necessary to refund temporary notes on a current basis. Bonds or notes issued by the regional school unit board to complete projects of an original education unit and to refund temporary project notes of an original education unit must be issued in the name of the original education unit and otherwise must be in the form and be subject to the procedural requirements provided by section 1490 except as provided by this subsection. Upon issuing debt in accordance with this subsection, the regional school unit board shall serve as agent of the original education unit for purposes of that debt and has the same authority as is provided in subsection 4 for existing debt. [PL 2007, c. 240, Pt. XXXX, §13 (NEW).]