Maine with all its beauty is an idyllic place to raise a family. Our schools are committed to providing an exceptional education in a safe, nurturing environment for all children. Yet, since the beginning of this school year several schools in Maine have been subject to threats of violence, including RSU 5. Even in an […]
Superintendent’s Notebook
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Planning for the future of our high schools, near- and long-term
Portland Public Schools envisions a future where our high schools have fantastic facilities where we provide students with a rigorous academic, career and technical education high school experience. And with our high school buildings assessed in 2017 to have $40 million each in improvement needs – a price tag sure to climb higher due to […]
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Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Every day counts – the consequences of chronic absenteeism
“One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. ‘Which road do I take?’ she asked. ‘Where do you want to go?’ was his response. ‘I don’t know,’ Alice answered. ‘Then,’ said the cat, ‘it doesn’t matter.’” – Lewis Carroll, “Alice in Wonderland.” Over two decades […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Gearing up for the 2024-2025 school year
One of the things I really appreciate about education is that it’s cyclical. We feel pride and a sense of accomplishment as school ends each June and renewed excitement each fall as we begin a new school year. The summer provides an interlude that we use not only for summer learning, but to reflect on […]
Posted inTimes Record
Superintendent’s Notebook: New school year, new home for the Brunswick School Department
Where did summer go? It seems like only yesterday we were congratulating our 2024 graduating class, and now we’re preparing to welcome students for the 2024–2025 school year. The beginning of a school year is an exciting time. Many students are experiencing a first — first day in pre-K, elementary school, junior high or high […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: New strategic plan provides clear roadmap for student, staff and district success
The Portland Public Schools reached a milestone in June when the Board of Public Education unanimously approved our new strategic plan. The plan is the result of a tremendous effort over the past year by the whole Portland Public Schools community, working and talking together about how best to fulfill our district’s unique potential. Now […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Finishing the school year with awards and distinction
Did you know that Portland Public Schools recently received a School of the Year award for environmental learning? Or that two Casco Bay High School students won highly competitive 2024 Maine Literary Awards? Or that one of our custodians is an accomplished artist whose duck painting took the top prize in Maine’s 2024 Migratory Waterfowl […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Final goals and summer plans as the school year winds down
As we approach the close of the school year, Portland Public Schools is focused on some final goals. One is the successful passage of a school budget for the 2024-25 school year. We’re also finalizing our summer learning plans and our high schools are preparing for commencement. We’re near the end of the FY25 budget […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Brunswick Superintendent’s Notebook: Extended learning opportunities help seniors look to the future
The grass is turning green, flowers are blooming, and seniors are in the homestretch of their high school careers. I see smiles, high fives and a little extra spring in the step of our soon-to-be-graduates, similar to the excitement my classmates and I shared many years ago. While the senior swagger is similar, there is […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Community engagement enhanced school budget process
Portland Public Schools reached a milestone in our FY 25 budget process when the Board of Public Education on April 9 approved a $161.4 million school budget to recommend to the City Council. One of the things that I’m proudest about in this budget process is the amount of community engagement involved. Since March 5, […]