Board of Public Education Chair Sarah Lentz presented the annual State of the Schools address to the City Council at its Jan. 5, 2026 meeting in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The City Charter requires that the Board chair deliver an address to the Council each year on the state of Portland’s public education system.  

The theme of Chair Lentz’ address was “continuing forward.” She said: “Progress in public education is rarely dramatic or linear. It is built over time—through sustained commitment, shared responsibility, and the willingness to keep moving forward, even when conditions, like those in our country now, are challenging.”

Lentz said that the Portland Public Schools continues to move forward and is making significant progress on realizing the five goals of the district’s five-year Strategic Plan, approved in 2024: Equity, Achievement, Whole Student, People and Systems.

Lentz said, “If we stay the course—grounded in our Strategic Plan and united in purpose—we will achieve our vision of graduating every student prepared and empowered. Continuing forward means remaining committed to that vision together—through challenge, through progress, and through the steady work of building something better over time.”

Councilors and Mayor Mark Dion praised the presentation as thorough and comprehensive.

Read Board Chair Sarah Lentz’ State of the Schools Address.

Read a Portland Press Herald story on the presentation: Portland schools chair focuses on equity, academic achievements in city address.
 

The Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest school district, with more than 6,200 students, and it’s also the most diverse. About one-third of the district’s students come from homes where languages other than English are spoken—a total of 61 languages. Approximately 48 percent of the district’s students are white and 52 percent are students of color. More than half of all PPS students are economically disadvantaged.