Elementary Boundaries and Reconfiguration
Welcome to part one of a three-part series on elementary boundaries and school reconfiguration. Because these decisions will shape current and future students’ and families’ school experience, we want to keep you informed throughout the deliberation and decision-making process:
Part 1: Why reconfigure and who decides?
Part 2: What other factors or context should we take into consideration?
Part 3: What models are being considered and what’s next?
Why We’re Taking a Fresh Look
It has been at least 15 years since South Portland last adjusted school boundaries in a significant way. In that time, demographics, enrollment, and educational programming have all changed. Even more, last year, the community made the hard decision to close an elementary school. Taking the time now to deliberate on the possibilities and the optimum configuration for elementary schools makes sense given all of these changes. When done strategically, school configurations can help balance enrollment and demographic characteristics, ensure access to educational resources and supports, and provide for responsible stewardship of community resources.
Who holds decision-making authority?
Guided by local board policy, JECC Assignment of Students to Schools, our elected School Board holds the authority to vote on and formally adopt changes to attendance zones, grade-level configurations or other restructuring. Our Reconfiguration Steering Committee, composed of parents, educators, board members, and staff, has designed a process to ensure that community values actively inform the final proposals presented to the board. Administration is supporting this process by sharing data, analyzing facility capacities, managing logistics, and presenting evidence-based recommendations and proposals for consideration.
Join the Conversation on Monday, September 28, 2026
We invite you to participate in our upcoming Community Forum to review and discuss the options currently under consideration:
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: South Portland Middle School
Child care and interpretation will be provided at this event.
For more information and the full list of upcoming events, go to spsdme.org/reconfiguration.
Warm regards,
Angela Atkinson Duina, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
South Portland School Department