ESEA Monthly Newsletter

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January 4, 2022 

We hope to provide you with helpful information monthly through the newsletter and office hours. Our newsletters will often include: 

  • General and Title Specific Updates from the ESEA Federal Programs Team 

  • Fun Data Fact(s)  

  • Friendly Reminders for Planning and Program Implementation 

  • Professional Learning Opportunities 

  • Contact Information 

Virtual Office Hours:  

Tuesday, January 11 @ 9 AM 

(Contact Cheryl.Lang@maine.gov or your regional program manager for the link.) 

General & Title Specific Updates from the ESEA Federal Programs Team 

Title IA Comparability for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022  

As of 2021, the ESEA Title I Comparability Report for FY22 has been automated and will be produced by the Maine Department of Education using the NEO certified October 1, 2021, student enrollment and December 1, 2021, instructional staff counts in the data warehouse.  As the FY22 Comparability reports and data are reviewed and accepted by the ESEA Team during January, a copy of the report and backup documentation will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Schools and the ESEA Coordinator by the end of January.  You should review these documents and let us know if you have any questions.  You must maintain this documentation as it is one of the required documents for the Single Audit Process.  Additional information regarding comparability definitions and processes is posted to the Title I Comparability website.  Review this comparability information to further understand the FY22 Comparability Report that you receive.   

 

Section 1118(c) of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)/Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), requires that school administrative units (SAUs) with multiple attendance areas maintain comparability of local/state resources between the Title I schools and the non-Title I schools; or if all the schools at a grade span are Title I schools, comparability of local resources must be maintained among the Title I schools. A list of SAUs required to comply with comparability requirements is posted to the Title I Comparability website. 

If it is determined that comparability is not met, an ESEA Regional Program Manager will be contacting the SAU’s ESEA Coordinator for additional information and data to finalize the determination and next steps. Questions regarding ESEA Title I Comparability and the reports can be directed to Jessica Caron, Title IA, at Jessica.s.caron@maine.gov.   

FY22-23 Title I Schoolwide Authority 

The due date for applying for FY22-23 Title I Schoolwide Authority is July 1st, 2022. If a school is thinking about applying for Title I Schoolwide Authority, it is recommended that the school begin planning at least 6 to 9 months prior to the submission.  Planning includes conducting a comprehensive needs assessment (CNA), reviewing school policies and procedures, assessing curriculum and instructional delivery models, discussing the transition from a Target Assistance Program to a Schoolwide Program, and lastly submitting the Title I Schoolwide plan by July 1st. The Schoolwide plan template can be found on at www.maine.gov/doe/Testing_Accountability/ESSA/cnatemplate). In addition, there are several Title I Schoolwide webinars available on the ESEA website resources page at www.maine.gov/doe/learning/esea/resources. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Jessica Caron at jessica.s.caron@maine.gov.   

Fun Data Fact(s) 

ESEA is Dedicated to the Community 

The Department of Education understands that sometimes, a school is only a reflection of the surrounding community. This is why they have dedicated themselves (through ESSA) to support and grow local innovations, help support local leaders and educators, and invest in promising neighborhoods. The hope is that if they can affect positive change in the community, they can affect positive change in the school. They work shoulder to shoulder with schools and communities to create educational, family, and community programs, offering a support system with the school as the base. 

Friendly Reminders for Planning and Program Implementation for the month of January 

Fiscal 

The Department is aware of and currently working on solutions to the current difficulties in managing transferred ESEA funds within the Grants4ME system.  Our office is collaborating with the Office of School Finance, LINQ (Grants4ME Developer), Maine Association of School Business Officials (ASBO), and local Auditors to develop some in-depth training to navigate the nuances of transferred funds within the new Grants4ME system.  We hope to have additional training materials developed and ready for delivery by the end of January.  The date/time of this training should be announced next week. 

Time and Effort – Semi-Annual Certifications 

If the SAU follows a July to December and a January to June semi-annual certification calendar, this is a reminder that semi-annual certifications should be completed in January for all staff paid with a single federal funding stream or multiple funding streams and have a consistent schedule.  It is important that the schedule be attached to the semi-annual certification if using that provision. 

Parent & Family Engagement 

As parent and family engagement activities are being conducted, remember to gather evidence of meetings including agendas, itineraries, surveys, evaluations, etc. 

Communication 

Please remember, the best person to connect with to answer questions related to ESEA Federal Programs is your Regional Program Manager. They will get you the answer if they do not have it readily available.  

  • Aroostook County & Kennebec County’s Regional Program Manager is Jessica Caron at jessica.s.caron@maine.gov or (207) 458-0334. 

  • Washington County & the Midcoast Region is Ryan Reed at ryan.reed@maine.gov or (207) 530-2129. 

  • Penquis Region & York County’s  Regional Program Manager is Travis Doughty at travis.w.doughty@maine.gov or (207) 624-6709. 

  • Hancock County, Western Maine, & Cumberland County’s Regional Program Manager is Daniel Weeks at daniel.r.weeks@maine.gov or (207) 624-6749. 

Typical Turnaround Time 

If you try to reach anyone in the ESEA Department via e-mail or telephone (and we are unable to answer), the typical turn-around time is within 48 hours. 

If you submit an application, performance report, or carryover report for review and potential approval, the typical turn-around time is within two weeks.  

Recently, we have been understaffed due to a variety of reasons, so we want to THANK YOU for your patience and understanding if our response time has been slower than typical. If you have not heard back from us within the time frame we have outlined, please feel free to reach out to us again. 

Professional Learning Opportunities 

Professional Learning offered through the Department of Education is a fantastic resource for supporting leadership development for administrators and educators. The Department’s professional learning calendar is available at https://www.maine.gov/doe/calendar. This calendar has increased functionality including a search feature.  

For more information about professional learning opportunities specific to Tier III identified schools, please contact Teri Peaslee, Professional Development Coordinator at teri.peaslee@maine.gov or    (207) 624-6706. 

 
Contact Information 

As always, reach out to your ESEA regional program manager with questions. Their contact information can be found at https://www.maine.gov/doe/learning/esea/contact. Also, your feedback is encouraged and appreciated. Please contact the ESEA Federal Programs Director, Cheryl Lang at cheryl.lang@maine.gov with feedback and suggestions.