Hello SPSD Staff and Families,
Today marks my official first day as your Superintendent, and I could not be more honored to join this incredible community.
As I begin my transition, my main goal is simply to get settled and start connecting with as many of you as possible. Today, I will be jumping right in by joining a few key collaborative sessions, including the Community Schools Grant Planning Meeting, the Boundaries Steering Committee, and the Intentional Technology Session (which our district is proud to host for teams across the region).
If you see me out and about on campus or around the community, please stop and say hello! I am eager to meet you and learn about your experiences. (Stay tuned for more formal opportunities for community engagement in the Fall.)
More importantly, I am writing to update you on the district’s elementary reconfiguration work. As you are probably already aware, last Spring the School Board adopted a resolve to examine our elementary configuration.
For the upcoming school year, 2026-27, school attendance zones are established and can be seen here.
For the following school year, starting in September 2027, the district is currently working on determining the best configuration for our schools.
The Elementary School Steering Committee is meeting regularly to support planning, research, and community engagement. Meetings are open to the public and the schedule is posted online at www.spsdme.org/reconfiguration. You can also review summaries and agendas online. The next two meetings for this committee will be:
TODAY: Wednesday, July 15 at 4 PM in the South Portland High School Library
NEXT WEEK: Wednesday, July 22 at 4 PM in the South Portland High School Library
Additionally, on Monday July 20, the School Board will have a workshop on the work that has happened thus far and discuss guidelines for any potential changes. You can read more about the goals of this workshop here. This workshop will be interactive with the Board and audience engaging in conversations and dialog. You are encouraged to join the discussion.
When: Monday, July 20, after the regular Board meeting (the anticipated start for the workshop is around 7 PM).
Where: South Portland High School Lecture Hall
If you cannot attend this session, please do not be concerned. Over the next month, the district will release a full schedule of future engagement events so that all families and staff have multiple, flexible options to participate and make their voices heard.
As we navigate this summer, our school district remains incredibly busy with Extended School Year programs, Rec Camp, facility construction, and deep planning as we transition into the year ahead. I hope that you and your families are making the most of these summer weeks in the ways that bring you the most joy (and perhaps finding time for some classic summer reading!).
I look forward to partnering with you all.
Sincerely,
Dr. Angela Atkinson Duina (pronounced At-kin-suhn Dwee-nah; she/her)
Superintendent of Schools
South Portland School Department