George H. Entwistle take over as interim superintendent of South Portland schools on Aug. 6, less than a month before the start of school, School Board Chair Tandy Ratliff said Monday in an email to parents. 

Entwistle has more than three decades of experience in educational leadership. He served as the superintendent in Scarborough and Falmouth in addition to Belmont, Massachusetts. In these roles, according to Ratliff, he led “district-wide improvements in academic performance, strategic planning, budgeting, and student services—always with a focus on inclusive, high-quality learning environments.”

He also has international experience. He served as head of campus and deputy head of school at Shanghai American School, one of Asia’s largest international schools.

Entwistle will enter a school district undergoing a lot of transition. School Board member Jennifer Ryan resigned in late March, writing in her resignation letter that “this action is necessary for my mental and physical health.” 

Tim Matheney, the prior superintendent, announced his resignation in June, writing in an email to parents that “the board should have the opportunity to identify a new leader who is more aligned with them.”

In late June, Molly Schen, the chair of the school board, submitted her letter of resignation, effective immediately. She said that she did not see eye to eye with other board members, writing that they were “micromanaging matters best left to our educational leaders,” obscuring their job of working through big-picture challenges facing the district. Her term was due to expire in December of 2027, and the seat will be left vacant until the election in November. 

Entwistle has already begun working with Matheney and the district’s leadership team to ensure a smooth transition, and according to Ratliff’s email, he “looks forward to working closely with the South Portland community in the year ahead.”