[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6392551,"mediaKeyId","2109637-dd31036176adbc5e88f642e5cbc49a22","parentId",2109637,"title","South Portland High senior raises funds for study-abroad scholarship, seeking media help","audioSeconds",179,"startMs",437000,"endMs",616000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109637-dd31036176adbc5e88f642e5cbc49a22&start=437&end=616","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109637-dd31036176adbc5e88f642e5cbc49a22/thumbnail_437000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6392551/Maine/South-Portland-High-senior-raises-funds-for-study-abroad-scholarship-seeking-media-help","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392551-399c8416595b82d4adfd2436759daeab/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965235&Signature=UWwmCWVGImHrHcr6tYcV6RVnO7CLyDaRRLKI7BYfz8ed-psOUFQnZn3rM-bxc4CJhN6bxzEShOn6Dm26k84LOZ3qT7ArKMvZldqWznrXT1lxz0sqs3w1Sb4zDyrNNvMmhYxq22LGbavvIZki7Vi4XmKWAdyd8N1YPIyAPyxd3JFkrCuAzerLwgjT67M6fef1awJ0SJHzJuZBbOseJWqRQXhQ2V52RTfja6GuOCTISwuWh-~7TIzevJUBe6sdYhWd-EEw~DDHDDkvPez1k0DdaWV602nIDUBfMxgjaClJcwJYx7kRLh5g844m8NaDjd~n4p-1933OjvFjaNqElSPN7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Portland Board of Education ME ","date","2025-01-13T00:00:00Z","article","A South Portland High School senior, Huck Charah, updated the Board of Education on a senior project to fund scholarships for students to study abroad. Huck told the board he has raised $77,100 plus a $20,000 challenge grant from one donor, and that the donor will match additional contributions up to $20,000.

“Their $20,000 challenge grant will match every additional donation starting now up to $20,000,” Huck said, describing a plan that could bring the total to about $48,500 if the matching funds are fully met.

Why it matters: The project would lower financial barriers to study-abroad opportunities for South Portland students. Huck said the scholarships are intended primarily for economically disadvantaged students and that final selection criteria remain to be developed.

Board response and next steps: Board members encouraged Huck to secure a stable fiscal home for the funds and to convene a selection committee that would include teachers and other community members. Board member Holman suggested the district convene a committee that would include the high school, teachers and members of the community to “formulate those decisions together.” Matheny said district communications staff will connect Huck with local media contacts.

Operational details still to be decided: Huck said he is working on selection criteria and has set up a GoFundMe link for donations. Board members recommended placing funds in an appropriate account (for example, a 501(c)(3) or district-managed account) so donations are protected and distribution is transparent.

Ending: The board and staff offered to help with media outreach and logistics; staff member Stephanie Visiglia will follow up with Huck to connect him with a local news contact and the board’s communications team.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","South Portland Board of Education 2025-01-13","oneSentenceSummary","A South Portland High senior reported raising funds and a donor challenge grant for a study-abroad scholarship and asked the board and community for help spreading the word; board members offered advice about governance and selection criteria.","taxTitle","South Portland Public Schools, School Districts, Maine","taxId",60901,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6392556,"Votes at a glance: South Portland board approves consent agenda, consolidated policies and math adoption",70,5420000,5490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109637-dd31036176adbc5e88f642e5cbc49a22&start=5420&end=5490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109637-dd31036176adbc5e88f642e5cbc49a22/thumbnail_5420000.jpg","/articles/6392556/Maine/Votes-at-a-glance-South-Portland-board-approves-consent-agenda-consolidated-policies-and-math-adoption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392556-6efb21a61238419e356428047663a2b1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965235&Signature=ZYFsIhAXq2tpPzqVDDzC2qgiJejMh2CPa2aq71zRlbYLjAThOxCIUEg4a~s3vwUOk73A0GpWkfoCNjhkLnjRnhs6K~TpYF6qXIFRnotaQjeEvr8qhZ2ItuB3dHl6ri1UDgEV5AkAsHgoXYHALwh9BuRl6JlLib0EZ7-vH2VBMaYZ5iu~XfahCl1qEl~IlJMbIJv2crmnxLLBHNjNxm9Op6FDZMMtVyxR46zDgiriSz8jWftWRdT8ajTfLCCU-zBZ3YBhbDZcMRnu-IsJnmPbY5M1sb73dASznpbsFkA165z3ibQ2qIzzPEgAOeIQtrgOPJUZHPgC-vUflF5QyDUQXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Portland Board of Education approved its consent agenda and a package of policy updates during its meeting, and also adopted a new K–4 math curriculum.

Key votes at the meeting:
- The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes, personnel actions, donations and grants, and policy rescissions. The motion to approve was made and seconded; the board voted unanimously.
- The board consolidated and approved several policy updates (noted as items 8.1–8.8 on the agenda) and then voted to approve the consolidated group; the motion passed unanimously.
- The board voted to adopt the Into Math K–4 curriculum (item 8.9); the motion carried unanimously.

Why it matters: The consent agenda included grant awards (for example, $2,500 from Special Olympics Maine and $1,000 from the South Portland Lions Club) and personnel approvals that affect programs and services in the district. Policy consolidations and rescissions are administrative housekeeping that the district said will simplify its policy manual.

Details from meeting records: The consent agenda listed rescinded policies (for example, several older student and board policies flagged as duplicates) and several grants and donations to specific programs. The consolidated policy package included updates to school board legal status, job descriptions, and several student- and personnel-related policies that were then advanced as a grouped action for efficiency.

Outcome and next steps: With the policy consolidations and the curriculum adoption approved, staff said they will continue implementation activities and bring necessary follow-ups to the board. No contested votes were recorded on the floor during the meeting.

Ending: Board members said they will continue to workshop broader topics, including the athletic complex, and return to the public with follow-up materials and further votes if necessary.","The South Portland Board of Education approved a series of consent and policy items and adopted a new K–4 math curriculum. The meeting recorded unanimous votes on the consent agenda, consolidated policy package and adoption of the Into Math program.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6392559,"South Portland board workshops turf, recycling and grass alternatives for SPHS athletic complex",2705,5492000,8197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2109637-dd31036176adbc5e88f642e5cbc49a22&start=5492&end=8197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2109637-dd31036176adbc5e88f642e5cbc49a22/thumbnail_5492000.jpg","/articles/6392559/Maine/South-Portland-board-workshops-turf-recycling-and-grass-alternatives-for-SPHS-athletic-complex","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6392559-e8a276ae79cb1d7177a0f476730e0c80/orig.mp4?Expires=1770965235&Signature=TCXpauRcZLzRSzLTa5BZZCca9ukFjPthauDOlX3Jhotb59RCjiamczAFPt516bm~cclkQGF5mOVrkGyWTPbKUNc2RQRvXHBcBFXk57j6Mt06rEbhWSI6q~HPrQgYIa3e2A23K82Z1-LDrvu0W99TJIRTCE9XhwvyFuSrah9dVxw6R1IltUq7mSeqbVoR5I9RpkCAFkSgyrxs32enYK6az79iSqJVf6qc5vSM6QbWKqbzcN6MWN1wp~~H0PSha~64BbQ7uPE-YopUOp~ZV7i55S~UL1VkPVoMtM2xm2AvXD61ch4Fkk57WpB-wn6Q3B1Vo6r2UV~5-YsG1u1Qe6vapg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The South Portland Board of Education heard a two-hour workshop on the future of the South Portland High School athletic complex during its meeting, with the superintendent saying a compromise of two synthetic turf fields and one natural-grass field best balances playability, budget and environmental concerns.

The recommendation came from Superintendent Tim Matheny, who said the district needs fields that can carry heavier use while minimizing travel for student practices and events. “My position has not changed — a re-envisioned approach: two synthetic turf fields and one grass field,” Matheny said, citing playability and the district’s large athletics program.

Why it matters: board members and dozens of residents said the committee must weigh student access, environmental impacts, recyclability and long-term costs. Multiple citizens urged the board to consider fully natural grass alternatives and to gather more data; others like state-licensed geologist Aaron Martin said modern engineered turf and wood-based infill pose fewer health risks than older crumb-rubber products.

What the district presented: Matheny and consultants from Activitas, including Patrick McGuire, described cost comparisons and maintenance scenarios, and answered questions about synthetic-fill recycling. McGuire told the board a recycling facility in Rockland, Mass., is expected to open and “should be able to do about three fields per week,” allowing much of the turf and infill to be processed rather than incinerated or landfilled.

Public concerns and requests: Speakers including Amy Haskins and Karen Talentino urged the board to take a precautionary approach on plastics and microplastics, to obtain independent analyses of local recycling capacity and to consider long-term disposal costs. “I believe we will be on the right side of history on this issue if South Portland says no to artificial turf,” Haskins told the board during public comment.

Technical and operational points discussed: Activitas and other presenters described performance differences between third- and later-generation synthetic turf and modern natural-grass management. The board discussed heat effects on turf surfaces, testing for hardness (GMAX), maintenance routines and the potential need for filters to capture fibers and prevent runoff. Activitas said modern recycling methods separate infill and fibers, and can convert backing and fibers into pellets or other products; the firm estimated only a small fraction of a field would be landfilled in a proper recycling flow.

Politics, cost and scheduling: Matheny said the capital cost for a fully synthetic option is higher than several grass scenarios but argued cost per use narrows the difference because turf supports many more hours of play with fewer weather cancellations. He noted the FY26 budget cycle is under development and suggested the board consider options including a bond referendum, phased capital work, or limited FY26 budget requests for highest-priority items (for example, bathrooms or lights).

Board response and next steps: Board members expressed differing priorities — some prioritized minimizing plastic and long-term environmental risk, others prioritized maximizing on-campus access and hours of play. Chair Shen said the board will continue the workshop process and scheduled follow-up discussion at the district’s State of the Schools event. Matheny and staff offered to provide additional technical materials, to arrange site visits to existing natural-grass installations, and to bring clearer cost and recycling estimates back to the board.

Ending: No vote was taken at the workshop. The board instructed staff to return with more detailed comparisons, clearer warranty and maintenance terms, and documented recycling pathways for any synthetic option the board might consider, and to continue public outreach before firming any financing plan.","At a Jan. workshop, the South Portland Board of Education and public speakers debated whether to rebuild the high school athletic complex with synthetic turf, natural grass, or a mix; the superintendent recommended two synthetic turf fields and one grass field while citizens pressed for more information on recyclability and environmental impacts.","actionData","errors"]

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South Portland High senior raises funds for study-abroad scholarship, seeking media help

Votes at a glance: South Portland board approves consent agenda, consolidated policies and math adoption

South Portland board workshops turf, recycling and grass alternatives for SPHS athletic complex