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<p class="MsoNormal">Hello again to my partners in crime, no that’s not right, partners in education funding
<span style="font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">😊</span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After this morning’s messages indicating that some, possibly many, SAUs did not enter the additional hourly staff fields in the NEO staff collection last Fall as expected, we checked the data and discussed the issue with the DOE data team.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We will be working closely with the data team to set up a timeline within the next few weeks to provide specific training as to the data required, and how to update the staff data in the NEO staff module, so that all SAUs have the opportunity
to receive the minimum hourly additional funds for the Ed Techs and Other hourly support personnel as noted in the enacted statute.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This will require each SAU to correct hourly staff data in NEO staff by the end of May or early June this year. If you are unable to update this information, we will not have the required data to provide the additional funds using the FY
25 hourly wage levels as the baseline for the calculation.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If it is not completed prior to July 1, 2025, the staff data module will automatically roll over into the FY 26 school year.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I understand this is an additional step that was not expected; however, we will not have the required hourly data in order to determine the additional funds if this is not completed.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please stay tuned, the data team and school finance and compliance team will be posting more information soon about what is required and how to accomplish it within the NEO Staff Module.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We are here to work with you, so you receive all the possible funds allowable.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual">________________________________________<br>
<br>
<b>Paula Gravelle</b><br>
Director of Public School Finance <br>
Maine Department of Education<br>
23 State House Station<br>
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023<br>
<b>Email: </b><a href="mailto:paula.b.gravelle@maine.gov"><span style="color:#0070C0">paula.b.gravelle@maine.gov</span></a>
<br>
<b>Phone</b>: 207-624-6792</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><a href="http://www.maine.gov/doe"><span style="color:#0070C0">Maine DOE</span></a> |
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/"><span style="color:#0070C0">Facebook</span></a> |
<a href="https://twitter.com/mdoenews"><span style="color:#0070C0">Twitter</span></a> |
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en"><span style="color:#0070C0">Instagram</span></a> |
<a href="https://mainedoenews.net/"><span style="color:#0070C0">Maine DOE Newsroom</span><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><br>
</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="192" height="70" style="width:2.0in;height:.725in" id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DBA4A6.1A91A2C0"><span style="mso-ligatures:standardcontextual"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Did I miss something I was supposed to fill out for our district because I don't remember providing any info in NEO on which staff are hourly and what their rates are? (Question 4)
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On Wed, Apr 2, 2025 at 4:37<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span>PM Gravelle, Paula B <<a href="mailto:Paula.B.Gravelle@maine.gov">Paula.B.Gravelle@maine.gov</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">All, I received the following questions and thought everyone would benefit from the responses
<span style="font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif">😊</span>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">A few clarifying questions regarding the information you provided regarding this law and State funding. <o:p></o:p></p>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="m-2597530788931372113m3370180583800136170msolistparagraph" style="mso-list:l4 level1 lfo1">
Am I correct that the calculation for the State funded portion is based on an individual, not a position? In other words, if an individual employed and reported in NEO in FY25, is not employed in FY26, the SAU wouldn't receive funding for their replacement?<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<ol start="1" type="a">
<li class="m-2597530788931372113m3370180583800136170msolistparagraph" style="mso-list:l3 level2 lfo2">
<b>Response</b>: Correct, that additional funding is based on a person, not a position. If an individual hourly staff member from our base year of FY 2024-25, is no longer employed at the SAU in FY 2025-26, no additional funds will be provided to the SAU. <o:p></o:p></li></ol>
</ol>
<ol start="2" type="1">
<li class="m-2597530788931372113m3370180583800136170msolistparagraph" style="mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">
If wage scales for FY26 have already been adjusted to meet the minimum salary requirement, is the SAU still entitled to the funding from the State? I believe it would as the funding is based on FY25 salary data. <o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<ol start="2" type="1">
<ol start="1" type="a">
<li class="m-2597530788931372113m3370180583800136170msolistparagraph" style="mso-list:l6 level2 lfo4">
<b>Response</b>: Yes, since we are using the actual hourly wage amount collected in FY 25 as the base to compare the updated minimum for FY 26; you will receive additional funds for each employee that was below the minimum using the FY 25 levels. <o:p></o:p></li></ol>
</ol>
<ol start="3" type="1">
<li class="m-2597530788931372113m3370180583800136170msolistparagraph" style="mso-list:l5 level1 lfo5">
I understand the SAU is responsible for paying these additional funds received by the State to each employee. Is this achieved by providing documentation that these specified employees received the minimum salary as required? Or will it be a dollar for dollar
separate payment to the individual? <o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<ol start="3" type="1">
<ol start="1" type="a">
<li class="m-2597530788931372113m3370180583800136170msolistparagraph" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo6">
<b>Response</b>: The Maine DOE will be sending the SAU a list of individual staff that were below the new minimum, the amount of the actual salary from FY 25, the new minimum amount, and the difference calculated (which is the additional funds allocated to
the SAU). <o:p></o:p></li><li class="m-2597530788931372113m3370180583800136170msolistparagraph" style="mso-list:l0 level2 lfo6">
<b>Response</b>: How the SAU decides to provide those funds to the individual staff member listed is a local decision. <o:p></o:p></li></ol>
</ol>
<ol start="4" type="1">
<li class="m-2597530788931372113m3370180583800136170msolistparagraph" style="mso-list:l1 level1 lfo7">
There was a question asked previously regarding the term "Other School Support Staff" and who exactly this included. At that time there was no further guidance as to its meaning. Is it now understood to mean all other hourly employees reported in NEO Staff?<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<ol start="4" type="1">
<ol start="1" type="a">
<li class="m-2597530788931372113m3370180583800136170msolistparagraph" style="mso-list:l7 level2 lfo8">
<b>Response</b>: That is correct. In the FY 2024-25 staff collection, SAUs were asked to provide in NEO Staff which staff are hourly and what their actual hourly rate was. Those are the “other school support staff” that the Maine DOE will use to calculate
the additional funds for the FY 2025-26 school year.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
</ol>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto">________________________________________<br>
<br>
<b>Paula Gravelle</b><br>
Director of Public School Finance <br>
Maine Department of Education<br>
23 State House Station<br>
Augusta, Maine 04333-0023<br>
<b>Email: </b><a href="mailto:paula.b.gravelle@maine.gov" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">paula.b.gravelle@maine.gov</span></a>
<br>
<b>Phone</b>: 207-624-6792<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><a href="http://www.maine.gov/doe" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Maine DOE</span></a> |
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/MaineDepartmentofEducation1/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Facebook</span></a> |
<a href="https://twitter.com/mdoenews" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Twitter</span></a> |
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/mainedepted/?hl=en" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Instagram</span></a> |
<a href="https://mainedoenews.net/" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Maine DOE Newsroom</span><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><br>
</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto"><img border="0" width="192" height="70" style="width:2.0in;height:.725in" id="m_-2597530788931372113Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DBA4A6.1A91A2C0"><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">_______________________________________________<br>
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<a href="http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance" target="_blank">http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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