News & Events

Learning at the Portland Public Schools doesn’t take a vacation during the summer. Learning opportunities are taking place to boost students’ confidence, grades and school-readiness. One such opportunity is Wayfinders, a six-week program at Talbot Community School for rising second- through fifth-graders at Talbot and Rowe schools. In partnership with Maine Audubon, Wayfinders uses a nature- and STEM-based program to offer math and reading support and hands-on learning through such activities as arts and crafts, sports, field trips and guest speakers.

The Portland Public Schools is operating summer meal sites at 12 locations across the city of Portland this summer. All children and teens 18 years and younger can receive a nutritious meal free of charge to be enjoyed on site. The sites open July 6, 2026.

Twenty Portland Public Schools employees are retiring this year. The retirees were honored by the Portland Board of Public Education and the district in a ceremony on June 9, 2026. Those recognized have served throughout the district and held a wide variety of roles in service of students and families. The school year retirees include a school principal, a social worker, teachers, Food Service members, educational technicians, a secretary and a custodian, among others.

Rowe Elementary School second-graders got a firsthand demonstration of their classroom learning about ancient life forms when they visited the new fossil museum at Portland High School on April 14. PHS'  Rosenthal Museum of Natural History features an impressive collection of fossils, thanks to a generous donation from Sam Rosenthal, PHS Class of 1971. The fossils are Rosenthal’s own extensive collection and include ammonites, ancient alligator jaws, massive megalodon teeth and dinosaur bones. The museum is open to PPS educators and students, enhancing biology instruction and offering hands-on learning experiences. 

The Board of Public Education's Finance Committee on March 23 held a public hearing on the proposed school budget for the 2026-2027 school year (FY27). The Committee also voted to make adjustments to the FY27 budget that would lower its impact on the school portion of the tax rate from 7.3 percent to 6.43 percent and approved sending its recommended budget to the full Board. The Board is slated to hold a first reading and public hearing on the Finance Committee's recommended budget on March 31. Watch the Finance Committee's meeting on YouTube: https://youtu.be/T6h8qBUwn4s

On March 10, Superintendent Ryan Scallon presented the proposed budget for the 2026-2027 school year. He started his presentation of the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) budget with a report of the improved outcomes for students the district has seen over the past two years of implementation of its five-year Strategic Plan—particularly for economically disadvantaged students, multilingual students learning English, and students with IEPs in reading and in math. The proposed budget aims to build on that progress while confronting fiscal challenges.