Printer-friendly version

The Portland Board of Public Education has approved plans for a transition team to assist the new superintendent of the Portland Public Schools.  The board will vote on July 9 on a contract with Emmanuel Caulk, who now serves as an assistant superintendent in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania school district. 

Working under the direction of the superintendent, the transition team will coordinate external engagement to help the superintendent understand the needs, concerns and priorities of the community.  Board Chair Kate Snyder will appoint seven members to serve on the transition team, one of whom shall be a school board member and serve as the team’s chair. 

Anyone interested in serving should write to snydekportlandschools [dot] org or call 828-0711.  The appointments will be made on July 17.

Snyder noted that other school districts and governmental agencies have created similar teams when a new leader is appointed.  “We want to do everything possible to support our new superintendent’s success and bring him up to speed as quickly as possible,” she said.

Snyder added, “We believe it’s important to engage a team of community members, parents and members of the business community to supplement and support the organization’s internal staff during the transition in an effort to minimize any disruption to the important work taking place across the district.  The transition team will play a crucial role in orienting Mr. Caulk to our city and the unique challenges that face the school district.”

The team is charged with identifying all community-based groups working in support of the Portland Public Schools, and making suggestions to the new superintendent regarding the formation of any additional community-based support necessary to improve public process and engagement toward achievement of district goals.

The team will submit a report of its findings with suggested next steps to the school board by December 31. 

The board unanimously approved a resolution creating the team at its June 26^th meeting.  The team will help ensure the continuation of initiatives now underway such as creating more pathways to high school graduation, modernizing the district’s elementary buildings and improving technology.