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Home > Data Center >Request for Approval for Placement and Room & Board Costs for Secondary School Pupils from Remote Administrative Units (EF-M-210)

Request for Approval for Placement and Room & Board Costs for Secondary School Pupils from Remote Administrative Units (EF-M-210)

Statutes Regarding Students Residing in Remote Locations

20-A MRSA §5203. Elementary students right to attend school in another administrative unit

The following provisions govern the right of elementary students to attend school in another school administrative unit other than the one in which they are resident.

2.  Living remote from public schools in a school administrative unit. Elementary students whose parents live remote from a public school in their school administrative unit may, with the consent of the school board in their unit, attend public school in an adjoining school administrative unit in Maine or a neighboring state if the adjoining unit accepts tuition students. The school administrative unit where the students' parents reside shall pay tuition and transportation.

20-A MRSA §5204. Secondary students right to attend school in another administrative unit

The following provisions govern the right of secondary students to attend school in another school administrative unit other than the one in which they are resident.    

2.  Living remote from public schools in a school administrative unit. Secondary students whose parents live remote from a public school in their school administrative unit may, with the consent of the school board in their unit, attend public school in an adjoining school administrative unit in Maine or a neighboring state if the adjoining unit accepts tuition students. The school administrative unit where the students' parents reside shall pay tuition.

 

20-A MRSA §5401. Transportation

 

The transportation of public school students shall be governed as follows. 

 

7.  Remote location. If a student resides in a location remote from and inaccessible to schools or public highways, the student's parents shall be responsible for providing transportation to a public highway or paying board for the student within walking distance of a school. Failure of the parent to provide transportation or board shall be considered a violation of the truancy law.    

20-A MRSA §5601. Board

1.  Elementary students. In place of transportation, the school board may authorize the boarding of a student. That board:

  1. Shall not exceed $40 per week; and
  2. Shall be at a suitable place near an established school.

2.  Secondary school students in remote school administrative units. Any remote school administrative unit, including a coastal island which has no highway connection to the mainland, which does not maintain an approved secondary school shall pay for board for a student eligible to attend a secondary school.  

  1. Board shall not exceed an amount determined by the administrative unit or a prorated amount for a fraction of a week. It shall be paid only if:
    1. The commissioner determines that it is necessary that the student board away from home to attend a secondary school;
    2. The boarding arrangement is approved by the school board; and
    3. The commissioner approves the boarding arrangement in advance on a form provided for the purpose.  
  2. The Town of Cumberland may pay the tuition, transportation or board of a student whose parent resides on Chebeague Island for attendance at an approved secondary school.
  3. Payment for board shall be made on receipt of a satisfactory attendance record at the end of a period no longer than one month. The payment shall be charged to the secondary school transportation account.
  4. The superintendent shall, before September 1st annually, make a return for the preceding school year, under oath, to the commissioner on a form provided by the commissioner showing:
    1. The name and residence of each student for which board was paid;
    2. The amount paid; and
    3. The name and location of the school attended. 

3.  Unorganized territory. The commissioner may pay the board of students from the unorganized territory as provided in sections 3252 and 3253-A.  

4.  Remote locations. Students residing in remote locations shall be provided board in accordance with section 5401, subsection 7. 

5.  Temporary residents and residents on state-owned property. The commissioner shall, in accordance with section 5401, subsection 6, reimburse a school administrative unit for approved board of students who reside on state-owned property located in towns of less than 100 residents.