[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6079783,"mediaKeyId","2954039-d56e969acaacc4fc93aa0b3bceddd1f7","parentId",2954039,"title","Board approves personnel actions including teacher probationary hires and interim assistant principal","audioSeconds",134,"startMs",8301000,"endMs",8435000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2954039-d56e969acaacc4fc93aa0b3bceddd1f7&start=8301&end=8435","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2954039-d56e969acaacc4fc93aa0b3bceddd1f7/thumbnail_8301000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6079783/Maine/Board-approves-personnel-actions-including-teacher-probationary-hires-and-interim-assistant-principal","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079783-89eed574052bf9bf380974a957bcdc4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054407&Signature=mAKGH5Wgtribtyqk3GPL2Pwk1~VBfRX4EIcY-KGaE1~nb7zqJLFFU8UCiCiFZ~M1FvLnqbpSIvspt~sJ~7IzSmbK6-gzVcWj8vpXgLMmirikGMg7qMhXSQ2Vjbn8muEODM9qKj~4TEnd6XjwLqZ5v-ZcZ4B~LgfCFd650pWG9E28R9Z6ZF7k7PEY2qiiuR2EU7Q1UWFhL0Qy94RmwfDGuA5UVogsetzlx15Lv6TgrrNTKUzViAbThC1fmB4LD6QgbKqELQpiZRScOmRcloNTB~6LIkPydmqhid-F5oyvZ0-6urrNa10JQipNRLC1pgSDA-aYTtVo6RLc7tV1Woq9wQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Portland Public Schools","date","2025-04-11T00:22:28.27Z","article","The Portland Board of Public Education approved personnel items on April 8, including election of probationary teacher candidates and an interim administrator appointment to support Deering High School.

Items approved: By roll call the board approved the list of teacher candidates for probationary appointment and also approved an interim assistant principal assignment to support Deering while two assistant principals are on leave. The assistant principal appointment is a temporary placement for the remainder of the school year.

Why it matters: The personnel decisions are routine but affect school staffing and day‑to‑day operations; the interim administrator was presented as a staffing response to cover ongoing responsibilities at Deering while permanent staff are on leave.

Vote: Both personnel items were approved by roll call vote with board members present voting in favor.

Next steps: Approved hires and administrator assignments will be enacted by Human Resources; the board record shows the items as adopted and staff will carry out onboarding and assignment procedures.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Portland Board of Public Education Business Meeting April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved several personnel items: election of probationary teacher candidates and the appointment of an interim assistant principal to support Deering High School during staff leaves.","taxTitle","Portland Public Schools, School Districts, Maine","taxId",38492,"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},6079788,"Board forwards $171.7 million 2025–26 budget to city council after amendments on premiums and reductions",1973,5412000,7385000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2954039-d56e969acaacc4fc93aa0b3bceddd1f7&start=5412&end=7385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2954039-d56e969acaacc4fc93aa0b3bceddd1f7/thumbnail_5412000.jpg","/articles/6079788/Maine/Board-forwards-1717-million-202526-budget-to-city-council-after-amendments-on-premiums-and-reductions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079788-22f4373aafd45ee8de5d7d6dd731e91f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054407&Signature=i5KQZnFPY2c~MwBO-fsN6j7BWVNX4rBSOottwwR9~KXpNObmopttsOk3R4G4He7iF7Ikq0AsIx7wKPl45XcSvvmvm8xH9GVfaMZli82VlvHw7cuVJqLzDIeWkHMJf~30ZUI4X0oHZneFukHG8VQYXV2MauudHXJs2KCCWW9Jmg6u21NFi1VFRgZ5sYV8naxOaaqufWQmLU4rSwziZiYEqIeaJInQwaF~51VEQy4Mye9-J197Ytm2tbNybaES7a0HtF-u0HAv2VJJg4EGXztWgh-ikb2sHJ~RSSIs-ME9IwJvk561KIMG8oXrO5Lh~FzNI9OQZp5Ik~xnYZLT1mS8Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portland Board of Public Education voted April 8 to forward the district’s fiscal year 2025–26 budget to the city council after debating adjustments for higher medical insurance premiums and proposed internal reductions.

The superintendent presented a proposed budget totaling about $171.7 million, aligned to the district’s strategic plan, and noted medical premiums arrived higher than the 6% placeholder used in earlier drafts. Staff reported a 9.6% increase in medical premiums, which the superintendent estimated would cost an additional $350,969 if absorbed in this fiscal year.

Why it matters: The board’s decision sets the school portion of the city tax levy that will go to the city finance committee and then the city council. The budget funds district priorities including elementary literacy, special education supports, multilingual programming and early childhood planning.

Key figures and debate: The superintendent said the proposed budget would raise the school portion of property taxes by roughly 5.3% under the earlier proposal; updated medical costs increased that pressure. Staff told the board that every 1 percentage point above the 6% placeholder equals roughly $110,000 in premium cost. The finance committee recommended a set of expense adjustments (contract reductions, delays for some consultant work and other nonpersonnel cuts) that would reduce pressure on the levy.

On the floor the board considered multiple amendments. Chair Lentz offered a package of reductions and a small levy increase that shifted $350,969 of budgeted expenses to cover the medical premium increase, reallocated some items to cover the cost of the newly approved calendar days, and added $70,000 to the tax levy to preserve a specific early‑childhood consultant line. Another amendment to restore one additional physical‑therapy position and reduce contracted services failed.

Votes and outcome: After amendments, the board approved the budget and recommended a final local tax levy (documented in board records) that staff will present to the city finance committee and then the city council for their review and the public referendum timeline. The board’s roll‑call vote to forward the budget passed on April 8.

Next steps: The city finance committee is scheduled to consider the recommendation on April 29; the city council will vote later in May with a public referendum in June. Staff will continue to refine staffing and contract lines and report on implementation and any further adjustments.","The board approved a $171.7 million budget and recommended a local tax levy that reflects adjustments for medical premium increases and selected reductions; multiple floor amendments changed a few line items and the final levy approved by the board was reported to city finance.",{"_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},6079793,"Board approves revised equity policy after extended debate and multiple amendments",784,4560000,5344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2954039-d56e969acaacc4fc93aa0b3bceddd1f7&start=4560&end=5344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2954039-d56e969acaacc4fc93aa0b3bceddd1f7/thumbnail_4560000.jpg","/articles/6079793/Maine/Board-approves-revised-equity-policy-after-extended-debate-and-multiple-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079793-959e30ef2e52be38e1ba9bc528ce6dbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054407&Signature=bdbNJ~tnbe2c3dzOK8LGjY6dgHhp2C8lJpRXgQKxFu0r7Iv6ENYG-PntX-TZ0UPuQVs6bWRAhGhv94h4Lahw6kwRsNYUwUkFpiul4ybLnCYQzXvd7qlmLPiygRlO-~a9N0Lwi~MPWA7BkFw072YPhjnAAI6V1hXkFgPDHkS4~8gQvz5Xe9FFHmzNzOqGdgSUdVXKgVku~58WrI6z4ji00xF9iBp82ja5RzYUbO5KzMeIYWJXc9YrBwyeHN7ZjVDQE3iVZ-9ow0LWbd2DpWVot8LnPi6TWt1JZRKP5MJrZxee~9CPLYj4x0MHRt1cEDomHjdJbh~J-0UAKTHkNlPKEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portland Board of Public Education on April 8 approved revisions to Policy ACA (Equity) after committee review, public comment and multiple on‑the‑floor amendments.

Superintendent Scallon presented the proposed edits as “designed to clarify and strengthen [the policy] in service of our ongoing effort to ensure that every student has the opportunities, challenges, and support they need.”

Why it matters: The policy sets district expectations for professional development, curriculum and data use related to equity. Revisions sought to align language with federal rulings, remove redundancies, and clarify implementation while also connecting the policy to data the state tracks.

Key changes and debate: Committee and board members debated where to place language about cultural humility, bias, and a set of population subgroups. Board member Ali Ali argued for reinstating language on humility and explicit reference to bias. After discussion the board adopted amended language that defines cultural awareness as “the ongoing practice of building knowledge around the cultures in our district and being aware of cultures and norms, as well as assumptions or biases. Self reflection and humility are key parts of having cultural awareness.”

The board also amended the policy’s equity definition to read that equity is achieved when there are “no identifiable differences in outcomes and experiences for any population subgroup, including but not limited to the following, which are tracked by the Maine Department of Education: race, ethnicity, English learner status, language, special education status, economic status and homeless status.” That phrasing was presented as a way to align district monitoring to state data while preserving flexibility to include additional subgroups.

Process and public comment: The board received no public comments specifically during the policy item (public comment occurred earlier on other matters). Members noted the policy had been open to review and committee work over multiple meetings; some members said language was streamlined on purpose and could be supplemented by implementation materials and training.

Vote and next steps: The board adopted the amended policy by roll call; the vote carried with board members and student representatives in favor. Board members asked staff to prepare implementation plans, including professional development cadence and how the policy will be operationalized in curriculum and staffing.","The board voted to approve changes to Policy ACA (Equity) after committee work, public input and multiple amendments to clarify language on cultural awareness, tracked subgroups and the district’s definition of equity.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6079796,"Portland Schools adopt 2025-26 calendar adding Yom Kippur and Eid al-Fitr as district holidays",2229,2389000,4618000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2954039-d56e969acaacc4fc93aa0b3bceddd1f7&start=2389&end=4618","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2954039-d56e969acaacc4fc93aa0b3bceddd1f7/thumbnail_2389000.jpg","/articles/6079796/Maine/Portland-Schools-adopt-2025-26-calendar-adding-Yom-Kippur-and-Eid-al-Fitr-as-district-holidays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6079796-7004056a4cbf733ad7d49c5b8169f75b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054407&Signature=IaoEYP6AbZj8egZ0wmP3gvaD4YPjFj2WzRwfs46sG7nWfJFCu7bfIim72qHqZBNqnoLcDovp9mIRSNe2gPGDcjZnXzR7eBLCdcOHHdvfrkbzrw6AGbLWkhUSGm44bo2eUi4gMO6qIA0ZIigT9lXKtQmAbcMssFmNWt612aBGABOq44pmLdyHWxkalwKGpRSo~vIQi0txgIU~duVHyCihGfISisLsapJyqUkBynje68CG5anLiR1gJVTSLjZ-xTLOqUc6JO1vvfYwM0XLp6WJgqSjhIH~B3sX0gINP6CplE0S87IYTh4C4L18CTPlN1BJvvLgso4S7Ux7zgCuzXtigQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portland Board of Public Education on April 8 unanimously approved the 2025–26 school-year calendar, adding Yom Kippur and Eid al-Fitr as district holidays.

Board member Bridal, who introduced the calendar, said the change “seeks to honor, celebrate, and to be responsive to the rich diversity of cultural and religious communities that make up our Portland Public Schools family.”

Why it matters: The calendar change is meant to reduce conflicts between religious observance and class time for students and staff. Board and community members discussed cost and scheduling details, including how the district will treat floating dates when holidays fall on different days each year.

Board discussion and public input: Supporters, including Pius Ali, a Portland city councilor speaking in a personal capacity, urged the board to pass the calendar. Ali said the move “ensures that all students feel valued, included, and supported in their learning environment.” Deering High School students and families also addressed the board; student Khalid Mohammed said missing class for religious holidays had left him “set behind” on work and grades. Muslim Student Association representatives spoke about the importance of the Eid holiday as community recognition, and multiple speakers described the personal and family consequences when the district did not recognize the observance.

Board members asked staff to clarify cost and logistics. Superintendent Scallon told the board the two added paid district days are estimated to cost $65,000 per day and described a plan to cover the expenses through other budget adjustments. Doctor Warren (secretary) and staff explained that the calendar uses built‑in flexibility (similar to practices adopted by Lewiston) to shift professional development days when the exact holiday date moves from year to year.

Vote and next steps: The board approved the calendar by roll call; every voting member—board and student representatives—voted yes. The calendar will be published as the district’s official 2025–26 schedule and used when the district plans staffing, professional development, and school closure logistics.

Community follow-up: Several public speakers asked the district to continue outreach and to clarify whether the district will keep these holidays in future calendars. Board members said the calendar is approved annually and signaled intent to include these holidays going forward while monitoring costs and operational impacts.","The Portland Board of Public Education unanimously approved the 2025–26 school calendar that adds Yom Kippur and Eid al-Fitr as official district holidays after public comment and board debate about costs and implementation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves personnel actions including teacher probationary hires and interim assistant principal

Board forwards $171.7 million 2025–26 budget to city council after amendments on premiums and reductions

Board approves revised equity policy after extended debate and multiple amendments

Portland Schools adopt 2025-26 calendar adding Yom Kippur and Eid al-Fitr as district holidays