The US Department of Justice (DOJ) on Monday filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine for allegedly violating the civil rights of children with behavioral health disabilities.

The complaint alleged that Maine had failed to provide appropriate community-based services to the families of children with such disabilities, providing them “no meaningful choice” other than to place their children in institutions. The DOJ claimed that this constitutes discrimination under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) since many of the families “want [their children] home” and the state could prevent such “segregation” by modifying its health service system.

The DOJ emphasized that Maine violated the US Supreme Court’s ruling in Olmstead v. LC which states that the ADA “requires state and local governments to ensure the services they provide for children with disabilities are available in the most integrated setting appropriate to each child’s needs.”

The department asked the court to compel the state of Maine to provide integrated and community-based services to children with disabilities instead of “unnecessarily segregating” them in institutions. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ Civil Rights Division stated, “The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring that people with disabilities can get the services they need to remain at home with their families and loved ones, in their communities.”

The DOJ published its findings of the alleged civil rights violations in a 2022 letter addressed to Maine Governor Janet Mills. The department found that Maine has long waitlists for its community-based services, does not invest in community-based providers and fails to ensure that its crisis services remain available. The letter thus concluded the state has failed to provide appropriate integrated services and “unnecessarily relies on segregated settings such as hospitals and residential treatment facilities.”

In 1999, the Supreme Court found in Olmstead that the ADA required people with mental disabilities to be placed in “integrated” or community settings rather than institutions when the state’s professionals determine such placement is appropriate, when the individual does not oppose the placement and when the resources are available. 

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) responded to the lawsuit on Monday, stating the department had been working with the DOJ to address the allegations. The DHHS added, “We are deeply disappointed that the U.S. has decided to sue the state rather than continue our collaborative, good-faith effort to strengthen the delivery of children’s behavioral health services.”

Maine schools have opened their doors for a new school year, and educators have welcomed students back with excitement, care and a deep commitment to helping them. Back to school is a time of hope, joy and renewed connection.

Whether it’s hands-on outdoor learning exploring Maine’s beautiful outdoors, innovative computer science and STEM education, internships and extended learning opportunities connected to student passions, vibrant career and technical education opportunities or opportunities for pursuing sports and the arts, Maine schools offer students engaging and enriching learning opportunities that expand their minds, help them achieve their dreams, support their wellbeing, prepare them to tackle challenges and create joy. And Maine’s educators are constantly innovating to further their students’ curiosity, engagement, and preparedness.

“Maine schools are filled with talented educators and school staff who strive every day to make a difference in the lives of the young people of Maine,” said Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin. “Happy new school year to all of the educators and school staff in the state. You all have my immense gratitude for the work you do.”

She added, “Whether you are the first person who greets a child with a smile as they board the bus, or you serve them delicious food at lunch or teach them something awe-inspiring, you will likely be remembered as that one educator or school staff member who checked in on them when they most needed it, made them feel safe, inspired them, fueled their curiosity and courage and helped them persevere when it mattered most.”

The Maine Department of Education (DOE) asked teachers across our great state to share their excitement for the new school year.

“We have a lot of new things coming up this year, with an outdoor learning space being completed and all the students having science units attached to it. We’ve made some new hires this summer, which will bring some really good energy, and we are in our third year of a new math program, which means we’re coming into it with more expertise and ability to utilize past data.” – Principal Heather Blanchard of Harriet Beecher Stowe in Brunswick

Back to school is a time of hope, joy and renewed connection. Provided by Maine DOE

“I’m excited for all the laughs that happen in the classroom. I’m excited for kids to connect with something new and be proud of themselves and their work.”– Art teacher Naomi Ellsworth of Harpswell Community School and William-Cone School in Topsham

“I have gained so many great insights and so much inspiration from my County Teachers of the Year cohort this summer, and I can’t wait to pour that energy and enthusiasm into my classroom. This summer has been a time for dreaming big, but sharing with my kids will make those dreams a reality.” – Hancock County Teacher of the Year Ryan Lowell, an English Teacher at Ellsworth High School

“It’s the promise of all the new connections I’m going to make in a school year that gets me so excited every September. I love looking out at a room full of new students and thinking: ‘We are going to connect so much this year that in June when school is over, we are going to miss each other so much.’” – Bangor High School English Teacher and Penobscot County Teacher of the Year Emilie Throckmorton

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“As the 2024 Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year, I am excited for a year of fresh starts. The 2023-2024 school year was difficult for the Lewiston community, and the resiliency within my students carried them through. I can’t wait to see the smiling faces of my students as they start fourth grade with this same remarkable resiliency and optimism for a new year of learning and growth.” – Leah Boucher, Androscoggin County Teacher of the Year and fourth-grade teacher at Farwell Elementary

“I am looking forward to welcoming a new group of learners into my classroom. We are about to embark on a journey together, creating a community that is stronger by the end of the year than we were at the start. Making connections with my students and helping them to reach their fullest potential is my favorite part of being an educator.” – Danielle Pelletier, third grade teacher at the CK Burns School in Saco and York County Teacher of the Year

“Each student is unique, and discovering how to connect with and inspire students is always rewarding. I also love the opportunity to try innovative teaching methods and collaborate with my colleagues. I’m excited to get things started!”– Kaley Brown, social studies teacher at Skowhegan Area High School and Somerset County Teacher of the Year

“I’m looking forward to engaging my students in more impactful learning disguised completely as fun! I’m also really excited to see how much my students have grown over the summer, what experiences they’ve had and want to share, and revel in our mutual excitement that comes with starting a new school year.” – Windsor Community School Librarian and Kennebec County Teacher of the Year Kristel Anuszewski

“This school year, I’m most excited about creating an engaging and supportive classroom environment where students feel empowered to ask questions and explore new ideas. I’m looking forward to building stronger connections with my students and helping them develop the skills they need to succeed, both in and out of the classroom. It’s all about fostering a love of learning and seeing my students grow in confidence and curiosity!” – Ally Gilbert, Sagadahoc County Teacher of the Year and Mt. Ararat High School Science teacher

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“I look forward to getting to know the wonderful families that share their children with me.” – Vickie Lailer, Franklin County Teacher of the Year and Second Grade Teacher at W.G. Mallet School in Farmington

The Maine DOE provides support and resources to support the hopes and aspirations that Maine’s educators have for this new school year and beyond. Educators can learn more about how the Maine DOE supports innovative teaching and learning practices, can help them create safe and welcoming learning environments, and find resources and professional learning opportunities here.

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Greenville Junction, Maine — The saga regarding the future of one of New England’s most underrated ski areas continues.

Friends of the Mountain, which operates Big Moose Mountain (formerly referred to as Big Squaw), announced that the property is back on the market. Developer Perry Wiliams, who wanted to revitalize the property, has officially dropped out, meaning that the Maine ski area is again being offered for sale by owner James Confalone. Friends of the Mountain is operating the ski area while all this gets sorted out, as their contract is active through December 2027.

This is surprising, given the recent news about those developers reviving their efforts to build the ski resort. The Piscataquis Observer reported in May that he had re-engaged with the owner and was finalizing the contract details. This summer, the developer planned to fix up the snowmaking system that was damaged by last December’s flood and tear down the buildings filled with asbestos.

Big Moose has had a complicated history. First opened in December 1963, It slowly grew its trails, lifts, and vertical drop over the coming years. While remote, the ski resort became known for its stunning views and slopeside hotel. It was eventually sold to entrepreneur James Confalone in 1995.

In 2004, the upper mountain chairlift failed, resulting in four injuries. In addition, the hotel closed in the 2000s and has fallen into disrepair. The upper mountain has remained without lift-serviced skiing since, although the Friends have brought cat skiing operations up there for the past two winters. Rather than fixing the issues, Confalone allegedly illegally harvested timber to pay off millions in loans. This illegal timber harvesting and failure to maintain the property caused a lawsuit from the state of Maine, which could see Confalone pay more than $4.5 million in damages. In addition, James Confalone has refused to change the name of the mountain, despite most of the country now deeming the word squaw as offensive. However, the non-profit has begun referring to the ski area as Big Moose.

After being closed for several winters, Confalone leased the lower slopes to the non-profit Friends of the Mountain in 2012. They’ve done great work revitalizing the mountain, spending $200k last offseason to renovate the lower mountain chairlift, renovate the snowmaking pumphouse, and start a cat-skiing operation.

For years, developer Perry Williams has sought to revitalize the ski resort. Some of the proposals include a new hotel, a base lodge/conference center, summer attractions, dining options, and a detachable chairlift to the summit. While they got the approvals from the state of Maine, they never could finalize the contract with Confalone. The development team dropped the plans in late 2022. Perry Williams recently tried to revive these efforts, but he failed again.

The asking price is around $5 million, depending on whether the buyer acquires additional development acreage around the mountain. If you’re interested, please email Skibigmoose@gmail.com. If you want to support the non-profit, click here to donate to the Friends of the Mountain.

Image Credits: Friends of the Mountain, North Woods Aerial

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