ESEA Federal Programs Monthly Update
Jess Caron currently serves as ESEA Regional Program Manager for Aroostook, Kennebec, and Androscoggin counties. She will be out on maternity leave starting early August and returning mid-November. While she is away, please reach out to Shelly Chasse-Johndro at shelly.chassejohndro@maine.gov with any questions about ESEA programming in your region. In the meantime, please let her know if she can be of any assistance ahead of this transition!
All applications for ESEA funding were due on August 1, 2026. Following the application deadline, reviews will begin and be completed within approximately two weeks. Applications will be processed and reviewed in the order received by the assigned ESEA Regional Program Manager.
The ESEA Team recently facilitated a training for new ESEA coordinators. If you were unable to attend, please note that the video is available on our Resources page, along with other short trainings related to ESEA programming and funding.
ResourcesIt is the responsibility of the User Access Administrator to keep the Grants4ME Address book up to date with the assigned Users and Roles. For more information, please see this section of our training video on the platform or refer to the User Access Guide.
For SAUs with Title I Schoolwide Programs, please review the guidance on Intent and Purpose statements to understand what is required on the “Project Details” page. When schools meet the intent and purpose of the ESEA title funds in a schoolwide program, they can free those funds on anything related to high needs written into the schoolwide plan.
Intent and Purpose GuidanceSAUs seeking a FY26 Title I Excess Carryover Waiver within the FY26 ESEA Consolidated Performance Report must address the following:
- Explain the reason for excess carryover and plan for expending funds prior to closeout,
- Explain how the excess carryover funds will help the SAU’s most at-risk students,
- Solicit public comment on the use of excess carryover funds, provide evidence of public comment being completed, and provide a full list/detailed summary of public comment collected.
Fiscal Corner
- Time and Effort documentation will be required with the first invoice for the FY 27 grant where reimbursement is being requested for salaries and benefits. This is to develop a collection process for all DOE federal grants. ESEA is doing our best to align to other federal grant programs within the department. This documentation will be the latest that SAU has on file. Please keep in mind if your SAU uses a template that requires an attached schedule then make sure the schedule is uploaded as well.
- Payments for non-public equitable services cannot be made to the non-public and must be made directly to the vendor for services to the non-public.
- Accrued expenses at the end of a fiscal year cannot be paid using new funds. For example, the salaries and benefits that were just accrued to close out the FY 26 year cannot be reimbursed using FY 27 funds. Accrued salaries and benefits cannot be reimbursed until they are paid out.
- Subscriptions must fall within the period of performance for the grant and reimbursement cannot be requested until after payment has been made for the subscription and the start date has passed.
- Reimbursement requests for travel, PD conference registrations, tuition, supplies, etc. must be accompanied by an invoice or receipt for the expense.
Contact Tyra
Please be mindful of what determines an obligation per the Code of Federal Regulations 76.707. Contracts cannot be obligated for new funds (FY 27) until after the substantial approval date. The services received must fall within the period of performance for the grant. Most Federal grant’s period of performance starts upon substantial approval of the application for funds. Federal funds cannot reimburse contract deposits for service.
CFR 76.707| Grant | Period of Performance | Amount Remaining |
|---|---|---|
| FY24 ESEA Consolidated Funds | Substantial Approval – 9/30/26 | $395,995.53* |
| FY25 ESEA Consolidated Funds | Substantial Approval – 9/30/27 | |
| FY25 School Improvement Funds | Substantial Approval – 9/30/26 | $482,014.38* |
| FY26 ESEA Consolidated Funds | Substantial Approval – 9/30/27 | |
| FY26 School Improvement Funds | Substantial Approval – 9/30/27 | |
| FY26 Title I Summer Grant | 5/1/26 – 8/31/26 | $2,985,441.91* |
*As of 7/27/2026
Continuous School Improvement resources are available on the Maine Department of Education website. To access resources and SIG Application training videos go to Maine DOE ESEA Guidance page and scroll down to the Continuous School Improvement section.
MMSS GuidanceProfessional learning offered through the Department of Education is a fantastic resource for supporting leadership development for administrators and educators. The Department's Professional Development Calendar is updated regularly with the latest opportunities.
PD Calendar