School Facilities Management System (SFMS) Training

INFORMATIONAL LETTER: 45
POLICY CODE: FD

TO: Superintendents of Schools
FROM: Susan A. Gendron, Commissioner
DATE: November 4, 2009
RE: School Facilities Management System (SFMS) Training

The Department of Education has successfully implemented the web-based School Facilities Management System (SFMS). Eight training sessions on the SFMS software were conducted in September with approximately 90 school units in attendance.

An additional training session has been scheduled for those who were not able to attend the previous training sessions. The training will be held in Augusta on December 8, 2009. To register, please go to the training registration site at https://vfa.webex.com/vfa/onstage/g.php?p=3&t=m . Attendance is limited to 12 persons and the registration deadline is Friday, November 20, 2009. After registering for training a confirmation email will be sent with additional information and directions to the session.

As a reminder, use of the SFMS software is mandatory for all school units and all building surveys within the SFMS system must be completed by March 31, 2010. On‑going participation in SFMS will be a prerequisite for funding approval by the Department for all school facilities programs, including the Leased Space program, the School Revolving Renovation Fund, the Major Capital School Construction program, the Federal tax credit bond programs and any future facilities funding opportunities.

Additionally, if your school unit paid for a facility condition assessment conducted prior to December 31, 2007 and previously received only the first half of reimbursement for the assessment costs from the Department, you may be eligible to receive the second half reimbursement. In order to apply for the second half reimbursement, complete and submit the form available at http://www.maine.gov/education/const/fmt.htm .

If you have questions about SFMS please contact Ann Pinnette at 624-6885 or ann.pinnette@maine.gov or Scott Brown at 624-6883 or scott.brown@maine.gov .