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The district is continuing to work with the Portland Public Schools community to design a middle school experience where each and every student feels a strong sense of belonging, is challenged and supported academically, and has meaningful learning experiences that prepare them for high school and beyond. Learn about the latest proposed plans and ideas at a Middle School Design Community Engagement session set for Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lyman Moore Middle School.

As the Portland Public Schools enters into the 2026-27 school year, we have made a number of very exciting hires and moves to fill key leadership roles at the district and school levels. We are excited about the experience and energy that these team members will bring to our schools and students. For a detailed list of who’s who at the central and school leadership levels, including what their roles are, please visit the Central Office Staff and School Administration Directory on our website. Here are a few highlights of the leadership changes made over the summer:

The Portland Public Schools is operating summer meal sites at 12 locations across the city of Portland this summer. All children and teens 18 years and younger can receive a nutritious meal free of charge to be enjoyed on site. The sites open July 6, 2026.

Twenty Portland Public Schools employees are retiring this year. The retirees were honored by the Portland Board of Public Education and the district in a ceremony on June 9, 2026. Those recognized have served throughout the district and held a wide variety of roles in service of students and families. The school year retirees include a school principal, a social worker, teachers, Food Service members, educational technicians, a secretary and a custodian, among others.

The Board of Public Education's Finance Committee on March 23 held a public hearing on the proposed school budget for the 2026-2027 school year (FY27). The Committee also voted to make adjustments to the FY27 budget that would lower its impact on the school portion of the tax rate from 7.3 percent to 6.43 percent and approved sending its recommended budget to the full Board. The Board is slated to hold a first reading and public hearing on the Finance Committee's recommended budget on March 31. Watch the Finance Committee's meeting on YouTube: https://youtu.be/T6h8qBUwn4s

On March 10, Superintendent Ryan Scallon presented the proposed budget for the 2026-2027 school year. He started his presentation of the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget with a report of the improved outcomes for students the district has seen over the past two years of implementation of its five-year Strategic Plan—particularly for economically disadvantaged students, multilingual students learning English, and students with IEPs in reading and in math. The proposed budget aims to build on that progress while confronting fiscal challenges.

Nate Witherbee, music teacher at Portland Arts and Technology High School, and Abby Hutchins, music teacher at Deering and Casco Bay high schools, have been nominated for the Manilow Music Teacher Award, which honors educators who have a passion and dedication to teaching music to students. The two are among 10 Maine music educators vying to be the top vote-getters in an online contest to receive a $10,000 prize—$5,000 in a cash award and $5,000 for instruments for students.