SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — May 27, 2026 — Education leader Dr. Angela Atkinson Duina will be South Portland's next superintendent, the South Portland School Board announced on Wednesday.
Atkinson Duina is currently the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools for Portland Public Schools, where she oversees ten elementary schools serving approximately 3,000 students. She will assume her new role in South Portland on July 15.
“This is an exciting moment for our district,” said South Portland School Board Chair Rosemarie DeAngelis, noting that Dr. Atkinson Duina’s has been described as “a talented, principled, and deeply effective educational leader who will bring strength, stability, and care to the district.”
Prior to her current role in Portland, Atkinson Duina served as Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Maine, designing and teaching graduate courses for aspiring school and district administrators. Her extensive background in public education also includes serving as Portland’s Director of Research, Assessment, and Data; Dean of Faculty at Poland Regional High School in Poland, ME; and Vice Principal at a school for girls in Dorchester, MA. She also completed a superintendent internship with Yarmouth Public Schools.
Atkinson Duina said her collaborative experiences and background in educational research have shaped her commitment to visible, transparent leadership—values she plans to foster in South Portland.
"Leading with transparency and ensuring that students, staff, and families are active partners in the district's vision are central to my leadership philosophy," Atkinson Duina said. "I look forward to collaborating deeply with the Board, staff, and families to unify our community around key goals."
The South Portland School Board appointed Atkinson Duina after a comprehensive search process targeted at addressing the district's strategic priorities, including long-term fiscal stewardship and enhanced academic rigor across all grade levels.
"Angela holds the skill set that South Portland needs right now, understanding the importance of relationships combined with efficiency and authenticity," said De Angelis, the School Board in a statement. "Our community is ready to benefit from her strengths as a community builder and instructional leader, making her the ideal leader for South Portland Schools."
Atkinson Duina holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Boston University, a master’s degree in administration, planning, and social policy from Harvard University, and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and psychology from Boston College. She maintains professional certifications as both a K-12 superintendent and a Spanish teacher in the state of Maine.
She is honored to be selected to lead South Portland into its next chapter.
"I value the opportunity to lead a community that deeply prioritizes learning, honors its diverse student population, and supports its dedicated staff," wrote Atkinson Duina. "I am eager to build on South Portland’s strong foundation of community pride and ensure that every student has an equitable path to success."