South Portland board approves separation agreement, names interim superintendent and elects new chair; approves personnel and small budget transfer

The South Portland School Board voted on multiple executive- and consent-agenda items during its July meeting, approving a separation agreement read into the record by Superintendent Matheny and appointing George Entwistle as interim superintendent. The board also elected Tandy Ratliff chair and approved routine personnel elections and a transfer of $8,752 to the Walter Johnson athletic fund.

Superintendent Matheny read two action items that had been discussed in executive session: “consideration and action to approve the separation agreement between the board and Tim Feeney, superintendent of schools, as discussed in executive session effective 08/08/2025,” and a separate item to “appoint George Entwistle as interim superintendent of schools for a term beginning on 08/06/2025 and ending on 06/30/2026, subject to the terms and conditions of the employment agreement … contingent upon satisfactory completion of all preemployment requirements, including credential checks.”

Why it matters: the separation agreement and interim appointment change the district’s top leadership and set an interim timeline for leadership through the 2025–26 school…