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South Portland board approves separation agreement, names interim superintendent and elects new chair; approves personnel and small budget transfer
Summary
At a July meeting, the South Portland School Board approved a separation agreement read aloud by the superintendent, appointed George Entwistle as interim superintendent contingent on preemployment checks, elected Tandy Ratliff as board chair and approved routine personnel items and a transfer of $8,752 to an athletics fund.
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 year. The interim appointment is explicitly contingent on completion of preemployment checks; the separation agreement is effective Aug. 8, 2025.
Board action and votes - Separation agreement: The board moved and seconded the motion and recorded the vote as 6–0 in favor. The superintendent read the motion aloud as shown above; no further amendments were recorded. - Interim superintendent appointment (George Entwistle): The board approved the appointment. Board members discussed Entwistle’s experience; one member summarized his background as a resident of South Portland with prior superintendent roles in Maine and overseas. The motion passed unanimously (vote recorded as unanimous by the chair). - Election of board chair (Tandy Ratliff): Ms. DeAngelis nominated Tandy Ratliff for board chair; Mr. Dowling seconded the nomination. After brief remarks from several board members praising Ratliff’s temperament and experience, the board voted unanimously to elect Ratliff, with the chair noting the tally included the two student votes. - Consent agenda and personnel actions: The board approved the consent agenda, which included minutes of prior meetings, several personnel elections (listed below) and donations. Personnel items approved on the consent agenda included Michelle Cherist (pre‑K teacher at Dyer Elementary), Heather Conyers (assistant principal at South Portland High School), Adam Guill (functional life skills teacher at SPHS), Lori Pacholski (principal at Small Elementary) and others; the board also accepted a $2,000 donation from Jordan’s Furniture for backpacks and supplies. - Transfer to Walter Johnson athletic fund: The board approved transferring $8,752 from athletic event admissions revenue (admissions revenue for the 2024–25 school year was stated as $43,752) to the Walter Johnson athletic fund, which is used to pay for emergent equipment needs in the athletic program. The superintendent and board members described potential uses including dugout replacement, netting and other short‑term items that are not bond‑eligible. Board members said the fund’s balance is approximately $60,000.
Context and next steps Board members said Entwistle brings 12 years of superintendent experience including positions in Maine and overseas and that the appointment is intended to provide stability during the transition. The interim contract start date is listed as Aug. 6, 2025, with an end date of June 30, 2026, and is contingent on satisfactory completion of required preemployment checks. The vice‑chair position was noted as open and will be filled within 40 days at a regular August meeting.
Clarifying details captured in the meeting record - Separation agreement effective: 08/08/2025 (as read by Superintendent Matheny). - Interim superintendent term: 08/06/2025–06/30/2026, contingent on completion of preemployment requirements and credential checks. - Transfer amount: $8,752 from athletic event admissions revenue (total admissions for 2024–25 recorded as $43,752). - Reported approximate balance in the Johnson athletic fund: about $60,000.
What the board did not decide tonight The board approved the interim appointment and personnel items and the one transfer; it did not adopt a long‑term replacement or amend district policy related to the superintendent search. The interim appointment is explicitly contingent on preemployment checks; the board will move forward with filling the vice‑chair position within the stated 40‑day window.
