Education Service Center Questions and Answers

• Not an SAU. ESCs are not School Administrative Unit (SAU) organizational structures and cannot operate a school.
• Service requirement. ESCs must sell at least one service in two different established categories to each member.
• Member independence. Member units retain their full autonomy and local governance structures.
• Interlocal agreement. A formal interlocal agreement, pursuant to Title 30-A, binds the collaborative relationship of members.

A multi-service agency allowing multiple independent SAUs to collaborate and share services through an interlocal agreement.

Title 20-A (Education) statute does not mandate how ESCs are governed, allowing members to create a structure and representation that works best for them. However, Title 30-A (Municipalities) interlocal agreement requirements apply and must include:

• Board composition
• Election and appointment of officers
• Board member terms
• Methods of voting

• Improve student performance
• Operate more efficiently through shared resources
• Cost-sharing for needed programs and services

The Maine Department of Education performs regulatory functions and is responsible for implementing initiatives enacted by the Legislature.

Services are at the discretion of the ESC, depending on member needs and ESC operational capacity.

• Research and join an existing ESC. Petition to join an existing ESC by November 30.
• Form a new ESC. Two or more SAUs can collaborate to form a new ESC by November 30.

SAUs can choose which services they purchase, provided the SAU buys at least one service in two different categories each fiscal year.

Cost-sharing is determined according to the terms outlined in the ESC interlocal agreement.

• Locally. The interlocal agreement should explicitly state member obligations and internal ESC procedures if those obligations are not met.
• At the state level. If a member fails to purchase the minimum required services, that member is ineligible for the ESC Member Allocation delivered via the ED279 for that fiscal year.

Yes. However, an SAU is only eligible once each year for the ESC Member Allocation.

Yes, provided the ESC can meet the statutory requirement of selling at least two services in different categories to each of its members.

Eligible School Administrative Units include:

• Regional School Units (RSUs)
• RSUs doing business as Maine School Administrative Districts (MSADs)
• Municipal School Units
• Consolidated School Districts
• Charter School Units

An Associate Member is a non-SAU entity that can join an ESC, including:

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) Regions
• Child Development Providers
• Magnet Schools
• Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Unorganized Territory Providers of Education
• Municipalities and Counties pursuant to Title 30-A

Yes. ESCs can sell services to non-members who are other types of political subdivisions, public entities, non-profit organizations, or associations.

Offering a new service does not require formal approval from the Department. However:

• It is recommended to notify denise.towers@maine.gov when considering new services.
• New services must ultimately be listed on the Member Certification Roster each year.
• If the ESC intends to create a new program, relevant Maine DOE staff should be involved early to ensure all rules and requirements are met.

Yes. The ESC board may vote for the candidate who best fits the role, even if they are a sitting superintendent. It is required to properly prorate the salary and benefits between the superintendent role and the ESC director role.

Membership in an ESC does not change the governance structure or autonomy of local member school units.

Yes. Pursuant to 20-A M.R.S. section 3808 regarding collective bargaining, ESCs are authorized to employ teachers.

ESCs are funded primarily by their members through assessments, dues, and fees, with supplemental support from the Department.

Basic expenditure coding

• Fund code: 6750
• Program code: 0000
• Function code: dependent on the purpose of the expenditure
• Object code: dependent on the nature of the expenditure
• Cost center code: 505

Basic revenue coding

• Direct state funding: Revenue 3115
• Member revenue: Revenue 1950 to 1969, choosing the most appropriate sub-code

• With a fiscal agent. The fiscal agent reports Fund 6750 in their financial MEFS uploads each quarter. All ESC revenue and expenditure transactions must be fully included.
• Standalone entity, no fiscal agent. The ESC reports under its own name in MEFS each quarter, including all revenue and expenditure transactions.

• With a fiscal agent. The fiscal agent reports Fund 6750 in their Q1 budget MEFS upload, including all budgeted revenue and expenditures.
• Standalone entity. The ESC reports Fund 6750 in its Q1 budget under the ESC name in MEFS.

Within 30 days after budget approval, or by August 15, whichever comes first.

• With a fiscal agent. Provide a copy of the fiscal agent's audit.
• Standalone entity. Must provide an independent, CPA-conducted audit annually.

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