Each Education Service Center (ESC) is governed by a unique Interlocal Agreement that specifies how new members join the ESC. Questions about membership should be directed to the ESC that the SAU is interested in joining. View Contact an Education Service Center for a description of ESC services and contact information. An SAU can purchase services from an ESC without becoming a member.
Eligibility for Education Service Center Member Allocation. Pursuant to 20-A MRS §15683-C
Members of an education service center are eligible for an annual allocation.
This allocation adjustment, titled education service center member allocation, is provided in Section 5 of the ED279.
The state contribution for each SAU’s education service center member allocation is the SAU's EPS state share percentage, not to exceed 70% and not less than 30%, of the education service center per-pupil rate in subsection 1 of 20-A MRS §15683-C (currently $94 per pupil) multiplied by the school administrative unit's subsidizable pupil count for October 1st of the most recent calendar year prior to the year of funding allocation.
- An SAU with 1,200 subsidy students with a state share of 72% is calculated (1,200 * 94) * 70% = $78,960
- An SAU with 1,200 subsidy students with a state share of 25% is calculated (1,200 * 94) * 30% = $33,840
- An SAU with 1,200 subsidy students with a state share of 61% is calculated (1,200 * 94) * 61% = $66,808
A school administrative unit is eligible for an ESC allocation if, according to the education service center, the school administrative unit purchases at least 1 service from at least 2 different categories as specified in §15683-C subsection 2.
Annual timeline for assigning ESC member allocations
- By November 30 – Each Education Service Center provides Maine DOE with a projected membership roster. Petitioning an education service center to become a member needs to take place prior to November.
- By November 30 – SAU superintendents certify their plan to become a member and purchase 1 service from 2 different service categories
- By December 1 – ESC member lists are provided to Maine DOE’s school finance manager for the essential programs and services calculation and to determine the total education service center member allocation needed state-wide
- February – SAU ED279s are published with education service center member allocations.
Calculation of the ESC member allocation
- The ESC member per-pupil allocation - reference 20-A §15683-C