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Office Of The Superintendent

The Office of the Superintendent includes the superintendent, two assistant superintendents and support staff. 

The Superintendent serves as the executive officer of the Portland Public Schools and is directly responsible to the Portland Board of Public Education. The superintendent leads, guides, and directs the administrative, instructional, and support services teams in setting and achieving the highest standards of excellence in educational programs and operating systems. He is responsible for a system of supervision and evaluation for all staff, and oversees and administers the use of all facilities, property, and funds in the best interests of students and the school system.

The Assistant Superintendent of School Management works directly with school leaders to deepen the Portland Public Schools’ instructional vision and sustain safe and welcoming school communities.

The Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning oversees the Academic Team, which includes the department of curriculum, instruction and assessment; behavioral and mental health; diversity, equity and inclusion; student support services; language development; ESSA grant programming; public PreK; and summer school. 


Aaron Townsend - Interim Co-Superintendent

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In addition to being the interim co-superintendent, Aaron Townsend is the Assistant Superintendent of School Management. In this capacity, he works directly with school leaders to deepen our instructional vision and sustain safe and welcoming school communities as we work towards graduating every Portland student prepared and empowered.


Aaron, an innovative educator with more than 20 years of educational experience as a teacher, school leader and system leader in Maine and California, joined the Portland Public Schools in July of 2019. 


Melea Nalli - Interim Co-Superintendent

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In addition to being the interim co-superintendent, Melea Nalli is the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. In this capacity she oversees the Academic Team, which includes the department of curriculum, instruction and assessment; behavioral and mental health; diversity, equity and inclusion; student support services; language development; ESSA grant programming; public PreK; and summer school. Melea joined the Portland Public Schools in the summer of 2016 as a consultant supporting the development of the Portland Promise in partnership with Superintendent Botana. She then transitioned into the assistant superintendent role once the plan was formally adopted.  


 

Janet DiBiase - Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Board and Chief Operating Officer

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Janet DiBiase is Executive Assistant to the Superintendent, Portland Board of Public Education and Executive Director District Operations. Janet began her career with the school system in 1997 and has provided support to different departments including the Assistant Superintendent’s office, Operations and now the Superintendent.


Emily Crocker - Executive Assistant to School Management and Communications/Community Partnerships

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Emily Crocker is the Executive Assistant to School Management and Communications/Community partnerships.  Emily joined the team in 2021 coming from seven years in community based nonprofits. Her prior work allowed her the opportunity to work closely with and serve marginalized communities, spurring her interest in Portland Public Schools with its goal of having equity at the forefront of its mission.


Lesa Beck - Executive Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent of Academics

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Lesa Beck is the Executive Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. Lesa joined the Portland Public Schools in February 2022. Lesa has 20 years of experience as a project and program manager primarily focused in contract and revenue management, operations, product launch and corporate events. Lesa has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Nevada. Lesa moved to Maine in 2021 and lives in Windham with her husband and three children.