This week’s talk about Board of Education priorities reminded me of two years ago as people were losing jobs or unable to go to work (“Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Budget will keep the focus on teaching, learning,” Feb. 16). Day care was reaching crisis; everything affected normal life. I remember the city manager submitting a Portland […]
Superintendent’s Notebook
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Budget will keep the focus on teaching, learning
In just one month, I’ll present my new school budget proposal to the Portland Board of Public Education. While we don’t have all of our numbers yet, steep increases in the cost of living and reduced state funding will make for a challenging road ahead as we plan the fiscal year 2023 budget. Each year, […]
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Posted inThe Forecaster
Brunswick Superintendent’s Notebook: The love of animals can lead to leaps in learning
We’ve all heard about the benefits of pet therapy for those who are sick, in the hospital or just lonely. Recent studies show that pet therapy can have the same effects on students, whether at home or in educational settings, as it does in health care settings: improved energy levels, increased self-esteem, heightened moods and […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Welcoming asylum-seekers to RSU 5 with open arms
Even though many Americans move multiple times over the course of their lifetimes, nearly 72% of Americans live in or close to the place where they grew up, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For those of us who move farther away, we do so after much planning. We find a job, a place to […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Portland aims to be a leader in teaching Black history
In January we observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day to honor his life and legacy. Black History Month comes in February, a time to celebrate Black Americans’ achievements and recognize their central role in U.S. history. That makes this an opportune time for me to highlight the Black history curriculum Portland Public Schools is developing […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, The Forecaster
Brunswick Superintendent’s Notebook: Look around – geography puts you in your place
What three major seas does Turkey border? If I had asked that question when I was a child, my parents would have pointed to the globe that sat in our living room or they would have told me to walk down the street to visit the Sangerville Library to look at an Encyclopedia Britannica set […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion, The Forecaster
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: A strong foundation supports student success
In my past three columns, I’ve written about the Portland Public Schools’ four teaching and learning priorities for this school year. All the priorities are aligned to our work of realizing our Portland Promise goals of achievement, whole student, people and equity. I’ve already detailed three of these priorities: strengthening core instruction to ensure students […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
RSU 5 Superintendent’s Notebook: Our bus drivers are valued links for schoolchildren
This past fall, a recent survey conducted by EdWeek Research Center indicated that 40% of district leaders reported they were experiencing “severe” or “very severe” staffing shortages. The most problematic shortage is the ever-needed role of bus drivers. Driver shortages are a nationwide problem. Bus routes in the state have been extended, drivers are working […]
Posted inCoastal Journal, The Forecaster
Brunswick Superintendent’s Notebook: Students can succeed through many career paths
In business, when the boss “manages by objective,” it means there can be many roads to accomplishing the goal. Employees are deemed “successful” whatever path they choose, as long as the goal is achieved. Fortunately, education is taking a page from the business playbook. As this year’s class of high school seniors considers the options […]
Posted inForecaster Opinion
Portland Superintendent’s Notebook: Supporting school staff so they can best serve students and families
Our Portland Promise commits the Portland Public Schools to realizing four goals: Achievement, Equity, Whole Student and People. To succeed, we need to have our staff – our People – share fully in that vision. That’s why we’re prioritizing fostering a district-wide culture where staff members feel supported to grow professionally in ways that best […]