February 2023 School Board Memo to District 3 Community
DATE: February 21, 2023
TO: The District 3 Community
FROM: Julianne R. Opperman
RE: February Meeting Insights
This memo is to inform you about recent Portland School Board activity and the carrying out of policy in our schools. Let’s get started.
Some Thoughts About School Board Responsibility
It’s been a little over two months since I joined the Portland School Board. Over the course of several meetings and related work it is clear the School Board’s primary responsibility is, “to set policy and determine it is occuring.”
The goal of any implemented academic policy is to prepare students for the workplace or higher education - be it academic or technical. The administrators and teachers of Portland Public Schools meet this goal by providing an appropriate and challenging curriculum presented by dedicated teachers.
The PPS Administrators present - the School Board consents - the Administrators/Educators implement. Then, the electorate as represented by the School Board determines if the chosen policy achieved its stated goal of graduating the greatest number of students ready for the workplace or higher education. I would call this “Improving Student Outcomes”.
Academics is not the only element of a successful school system. Facilities, transportation, food service and business management all support the academic mission.
Failure to value these elements has led to serious consequences over the years. The most recent visible issue has been the district's financial system including the payroll process.
The years of poor student outcomes are even more dire. Well meaning but misguided efforts have interfered with making progress in equitable student academic success. However, efforts have been underway to improve the curriculum content. You can read more under the heading “Do Students Get the Same Education…” below.
Concerns Over Financial Reporting to School Board
The Operations, Personnel and Finance Committee met on February 13, 2023. The Superintendents and Finance Director presented a finance report based on December 31, 2022 data. Members of the School Board questioned more recent financial activity. Unfortunately, 2023 financial activity is not clear.
It is important to note that School Board Policy requires financial data be given to the Finance Committee on a monthly basis. The full School Board should be receiving reports quarterly. A preview of the potential fiscal year FY2024 School Budget was presented. The Portland Press Herald and Portland Phoenix both published articles on the fiscal challenges the Portland Public Schools are facing. They are significant.
Important Meeting
Public Forum for the School Budget on March 6, 2023.
Superintendent Search - Your Role is Not Over!
I hope that everyone completed the survey to give input into the Portland Public Schools’ Superintendent Profile. That job profile developed from interviews, focus groups and the survey has been posted on the PPS website.
Your role is not over! There will be opportunities to provide questions to be asked in the interviews and there will be different groups who will interview the final slate of candidates.
I will try to give you ample notice, but, please check the Portland Public School Website for updates as well.
How Maine State Financing Is Calculated
The State of Maine provides Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding in a formula determined by state law. The spreadsheet for calculation of funding can be confusing and intimidating. However, the funding results come from the number of students attending Portland Public Schools on October 1 and the market value of the properties in the city. The Fiscal Year 2024 results reflect a small decrease in student population on October 1 and a large increase in property values.
Do Students Get the Same Education When They Change Schools Within the District?
Recently, the Curriculum and Policy Committee showcased the school district's vision and efforts in the following presentation. I encourage you to read the document.
The curriculum analysis was executed by the following team members:
Priya Natarajan, High School Math Coach (former DHS/CBHS Math Teacher)
Fiona Hopper, Social Studies Teacher Leader and Wabanaki Studies Coordinator (former Reiche IELD and ELA teacher, founder of Race Course)
Brooke Teller, STEM Teacher Leader (former CBHS Science Teacher)
Cindy Soule, Literacy Teacher Leader (former Talbot 4th grade teacher)
Katie West, Experiential Education Teacher Leader (former Lyseth Art teacher)
Jesse Robinson, Director of Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction
Gail Cressey, Director of Academic Resource Strategy & Title I
These teachers have led an ongoing study of Pre-K to Grade 12 Mathematics, Social Studies, Reading and Science and a more recent study of Literacy, Languages, Arts, Health and Computer Science.
The overarching theme of the presentation is, “to articulate the shift from a pedagogy of compliance to a pedagogy of voice where students are actively engaged and essential to ensuring effective instruction.” The presentation goes on to say, …”we understand students have identities, experiences, choice and voice that we facilitate towards active learning and achievement.”
There is a lot of thoughtful work here. The presentation is meant to ensure PPS students have a comprehensive and cohesive education - whether or not they grow through the grades or change schools within the district. Each school principal directs the curriculum of the school they oversee. Currently, it’s possible there may be some differences as to what constitutes “same education” from school to school within the district.
In my opinion the volume and detail of the plans are greater than the capacity of the district to implement at this point. Student time in school and the size of the teaching staff are insufficient to do everything that has been designed. Frequent changes and additions to the curriculum dilute the benefits of the programming particularly at the elementary school level. A larger teaching staff and extended school time appears to be the solution. But what is the cost-benefit analysis?
Retaining good teachers and recruiting more good teachers are major factors in bringing the curriculum to the students. I hope to learn and understand what efforts have been made and are planned to bring the teaching staff to the critical effective level. I hope to find out that the efforts will pay out in the very near future. I have concerns.
Please continue to stay in contact with me. I value your information and opinions. Email is best. You can reach me at opperj@portlandschools.org or text me at 207 232 0764. If you value these notices please pass them on to interested parties. You can sign up for future updates on my website at the bottom of the home page.
