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Portland Adult Education (PAE) hosted its 177th graduation ceremony on June 25 at Merrill Auditorium. The event included remarks from PAE administration and staff, Superintendent Ryan Scallon and student speakers, as well as the awarding of scholarships, commendations to graduates and musical performances.
Tuesday, June 17, the last day of the school year for Portland Public Schools students, was a bittersweet day at Lyseth Elementary School, as the school bid goodbye to beloved second-grade teacher Linda Whittum, who is retiring after 37 years with the district.
More than 30 Portland Public Schools employees are retiring this school year. The retirees were honored by the Portland Board of Public Education and the district in a ceremony on Tuesday, June 10. Those recognized have served throughout the district and held a wide variety of roles in service of students and families.
Superintendent Ryan Scallon and Board of Public Education Chair Sarah Lentz issued a statement expressing gratitude to City voters for their decisive approval June 10 of the Portland Public Schools’ budget for fiscal year 2026. Voters also elected retired Portland High School music teacher Jayne Sawtelle to a vacant at-large Board seat.
The Portland Public Schools accepts funding through the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA) of 1965. As part of ESEA, the district is required to provide reasonable opportunity for public comment on the consolidated application and consider such comment prior to the submission of the application.
Casco Bay High School held its 17th graduation exercises on Thursday, June 5, at Merrill Auditorium. Casco’s commencement ceremonies are known for mixing traditional graduation pomp and circumstance with the unconventional, such as good-natured jokes interspersing heartfelt personal testimonies. This year’s evening ceremony for the Class of 2025 was no exception.
Deering High School held its 151st graduation exercises for the Class of 2025 on Thursday, June 5, at Merrill Auditorium. Featured in the morning ceremony were remarks by Superintendent Ryan Scallon, Deering Principal Jake Giessman and Deering Assistant Principal Halima Noor, as well as speeches by students, musical performances and the presentation of diplomas.