Dear South Portland families,
I’m writing to share that the South Portland School Board is pleased to welcome Dr. George H. Entwistle as Interim Superintendent, effective August 6, 2025. Dr. Entwistle brings over three decades of leadership experience in public, private, and international education, including prior service as superintendent in three Maine school districts and one in Massachusetts. Dr. Entwistle served previously as Superintendent of Schools in Scarborough, Falmouth and Belmont, Massachusetts. In these roles, he led district-wide improvements in academic performance, strategic planning, budgeting, and student services—always with a focus on inclusive, high-quality learning environments. His leadership has consistently prioritized student achievement, staff development, and community engagement.
Internationally, Dr. Entwistle also served as Head of Campus and Deputy Head of School at Shanghai American School, one of Asia’s largest international schools. There, he directed academic initiatives, school improvement planning, and cross-campus alignment efforts in a diverse, global setting.
With deep ties to Maine and a track record of collaborative leadership, Dr. Entwistle looks forward to working closely with the South Portland community in the year ahead.
The Board would also like to thank Superintendent Tim Matheney for his service to the district since 2021. Mr. Matheney led the district’s return to full in-person learning during the COVID pandemic, oversaw the construction of our outstanding new middle school, and implemented districtwide emergency response protocols as part of his emphasis on safety and security. That work continues this summer with substantial security upgrades to our elementary schools. Furthermore, Mr. Matheney has also always ensured that the district’s deep values of diversity, equity, and inclusivity remain a focus. We wish Mr. Matheney well in his future endeavors.
Dr. Entwistle, Mr. Matheney, and the district’s senior leadership team have already begun work to ensure a smooth transition, and we look forward to welcoming our students again on the first day of school – Tuesday, September 2nd!
Sincerely,
Tandy Ratliff, Chair
South Portland School Board