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The $141.3 million Portland Public Schools superintendents’ recommended school budget for the 2023-2024 school year has three key priorities: It maintains the district’s commitment to its Portland Promise goals of Achievement, Whole Student and People – all centered on the fourth goal of Equity; is responsive to the needs of all students, especially students newly learning English; and improves operational effectiveness in such areas as finance and human resources. The FY24 budget balances challenging fiscal constraints, including a significant reduction in state aid and inflation, with increased costs to support staff and students, while being cognizant of taxpayers. It would increase the school portion of the tax rate by 7 percent, adding about $15.60 per month to the tax bill of the average homeowner.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
Portland Public Schools educators have shared some recent examples of innovative teaching and learning in the arts in our schools this year. Read on to learn more details:
- Deering High School
- East End Community School
- Ocean Avenue School
- PATHS
- Portland High School
- Portland Public Schools
- Reiche Elementary School
- Talbot Community School
The Spinglass Management Group has completed its audit of the Portland Public Schools’ payroll practices and issued a report. The report reflects many of the payroll problems – with systems, staffing and processing – that the district has already shared since the beginning of its payroll issues this fall. The report also details significant strides the district has made to stabilize systems, enter into an agreement to outsource payroll functions, and increase payroll staffing. Additionally, it outlines the work the district continues to do to resolve outstanding concerns.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
Painting for a Purpose, a local nonprofit organization founded by teachers, brings creative people together to paint whimsical decorative items that they sell to raise money to fund service-learning projects led by Portland Public Schools students who want to make a difference. Students receive up to $500 to put their idea into action. So far this school year, Painting for a Purpose has funded a wide variety of PPS students' amazing service-learning projects.
For example, a King Middle School sixth-grader won a grant to help her share Ethiopian cuisine and traditions with the school community. She conducted independent research on Ethiopia and fed her classmates injera flatbread and other Ethiopian food. She had a meal catered from Asmara Restaurant, and shared a presentation that celebrated her culture and educated others on her mother’s home country. Click HERE to learn about this and the seven other projects that Painting for a Purpose helped make a reality this year.
- Deering High School
- King Middle School
- PATHS
- Portland High School
- Portland Public Schools
Alma Advisory Group, the professional search firm that the Portland Board of Public Education hired last month to aid in the search for a new superintendent, met with the Board and the Superintendent Search Committee earlier this week. Alma made a presentation as it worked with the Board and the Search Committee to define the scope of the work, the search timeline and community engagement in the search process.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
- Superintendent Search Committee 22-23
Following the Dec. 16 resignation of Superintendent Xavier Botana, effective this month, the Portland Board of Public Education at its Jan. 3 meeting appointed assistant superintendents Melea Nalli and Aaron Townsend to be interim co-superintendents until a new superintendent is selected by June. Dr. Abdullahi Ahmed, currently co-principal at Deering High School, will take on the role of interim assistant superintendent for the transition. The team will move fully into leadership after Jan. 13.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
Portland Board of Public Education Chair Sarah Lentz presented the 2022 State of the Schools address to the City Council and the public on Monday, Dec. 19. The City Charter requires that the Board chair deliver an annual address to the Council on the state of the public education system in Portland.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
The Portland Board of Public Education voted on Friday, Dec.16, to accept the resignation of Superintendent Xavier Botana, effective January 31, 2023, or the starting date of an interim superintendent, whichever is first. Botana had planned to retire in June 2023, but he cited the district’s continuing payroll issues as the reason for his stepping aside now to let new leadership bring closure to the payroll challenges.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
One new member, two returning members and five student representatives were sworn in at the Portland Board of Public Education’s Dec. 5 Inauguration ceremony. The Board also voted for Sarah Lentz to be the Board’s new chair for the coming year and for Abusana “Micky” Bondo to be vice chair.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
Current Board Chair Emily Figdor was informally tapped last month by fellow Board members to lead the Board again for a third time in the coming year. However, Figdor has now decided not to accept the demanding role again, and instead will support at-large Board member Sarah Lentz for the position and District 1 Board member Abusana "Micky" Bondo for vice chair when the Board votes for new leadership at its Dec. 5 Inauguration ceremony.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
Casco Bay High School dismissed school early today, Friday, Dec. 2, due to a significant number of students and staff out because of the flu. The school is expected to reopen on Monday, Dec. 5.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
One new member, two returning members and five student representatives will be sworn in at the Portland Board of Public Education Inauguration Ceremony on Dec. 5. The Board also will vote to elect a new chair and vice chair for the coming year.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
The City of Portland’s Public Health Division, working with Northern Light, will offer an additional flu and COVID bivalent booster vaccination clinic on Saturday, December 10, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at 39 Forest Ave. Flu and COVID vaccinations will be available to the public, insured and uninsured.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
The traditional Turkey Day football game between Portland and Deering high schools is scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday. Nov. 24, at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Kickoff is at 10 a.m. this year for the 110th edition of the game.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
It’s the time of year to remind everyone about the Portland Public Schools' inclement weather policy and how such decisions get made.This year, bad weather events will be traditional “snow days.” That means our schools will be closed and students will not be expected to go to school in person or learn remotely. Educators will not be expected to work. We will make those days up at the end of the year.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
At its Nov. 15 meeting, the Portland Board of Public Education held a caucus to take an informal vote to select new leaders for the coming year. The Board unanimously chose current Board Chair Emily Figdor to lead the Board again and chose at-large Board member Sarah Lentz to be Vice Chair. A formal vote will take place at the Board's Inauguration on Dec. 5.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
As you may have heard, there was an active shooter threat at Portland High School the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 15, that turned out to be a hoax. Shortly after that situation was cleared, we received another threat that morning at Casco Bay High School. Working with police, this threat was determined to be a copycat hoax event.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
Superintendent Xavier Botana and Board Chair Emily Figdor comment on the school budget autonomy vote and congratulate Julianne Opperman, who won the District 3 Board seat after a ranked choice voting runoff on Nov. 9.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
The Foundation for Portland Public Schools (FPPS) has just completed its 14th annual teacher grants program cycle. Seventy-six teachers, ed techs, librarians, and others have been awarded grants totaling $59,261. These grants will benefit thousands of students – from preK through Portland Adult Education – in 15 schools across the Portland Public Schools (PPS).
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
Three seats are up for election to the Portland Board of Education on Nov. 8: two at-large seats and the District 3 seat. Only the District 3 seat is contested on the ballot. Portland voters will also vote on Question 5, which would allow the Board to set the bottom line of the school budget before sending to voters for a final say.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
The city of Portland’s Public Health Division, working with Northern Light, is offering a flu and COVID bivalent booster vaccination clinic on Friday, Nov. 4, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 39 Forest Avenue. Flu and COVID vaccinations will be available to the public, insured and uninsured, ages 12 and older.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
The Portland Board of Public Education on Oct. 18 approved another community representative to serve on the Superintendent Search Committee. The appointment of Lucy Shulman, a Portland resident who is an adjunct instructor at Portland Adult Education, brings the number of community representatives on the committee to eight. The Board approved the appointment of the seven other community representatives at its Oct. 11 meeting.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Adult Education
- Portland Public Schools
- Superintendent Search Committee 22-23
The Portland Board of Public Education voted Oct. 18 to approve a new three-year collective bargaining agreement with the union representing the district’s educational technicians. The new contract recognizes the important work of these key employees and makes the Portland Public Schools more competitive with other districts. The contract runs from Sept. 1, 2021 to Aug. 31, 2024, with wage increases retroactive to that earlier date.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
At its Oct. 11 meeting, the Portland Board of Public Education voted unanimously to pass a high school alignment resolution, which commits the district to taking a closer look at ensuring consistent programming and opportunities for students across all three high schools. The Board also voted to appoint seven community members to the Superintendent Search Committee and agreed to consider at its Oct. 18 meeting the appointment of an eighth member representing Portland Adult Education.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
- Superintendent Search Committee 22-23
Unity Day, which is Wednesday, Oct. 19, is an important part of this month. Everyone is encouraged to wear orange to unite for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying in school.
- Elementary Schools
- High Schools
- Middle Schools
- Portland Public Schools
Testimonials
What people have to say about PATHS.
"Within the first day in the program I knew this is exactly what I wanted to do. Every program PATHS offers is very hands-on and will teach you viable skills you won’t be able to learn in a regular school classroom."
- Nina
- Careers in Education
- South Portland High School
"As an educator and parent of those who do not fit in the traditional box of education, Portland Arts Technology High School is a gift to us all. Students can “thrive” not just “survive” in schools."
- Terri
- GNG High School Teacher & PATHS Parent
"From being a Freshman who didn't know what he wanted to do with his future to now being so sure that I want to be a filmmaker and going to film school. If I had never come to PATHS, I would never have that dream."
- Daniel
- New Media
- Casco Bay High School
Portland Arts and Technology High School at a Glance
Facts About Our School
100%
of students gain useful skills
CTE students are significantly more likely to develop problem-solving, project completion, research, communication, time management and critical thinking skills that are necessary for post-secondary success during high school than non-CTE students.
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80%
of students meet college and career readiness goals
80% CTE students meet college and career readiness goals, versus 63% of non-CTE students
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3X
more likely to be "very satisfied" with their education
CTE students and their parents are 3x more likely to report being “very satisfied” with the real-world learning component of their education than non-CTE students and parents.