School Budget Update: Big Changes Coming to Skillin

Last week, the School Board voted to approve two major changes to South Portland's elementary schools:

• Closing Kaler Elementary

• Reconfiguring the remaining elementary schools — Skillin will become an Intermediate School serving grades 2–4. South Portland will have two Primary Schools (PreK–1: Dyer and Small) and two Intermediate Schools (grades 2–4: Skillin and Brown).

This means that starting next school year, Skillin will no longer serve kindergarten and first grade students. The School Board has published a reconfiguration resource page with more information about the process.

What Happens Next

The full school budget has not yet been approved by the School Board. Here's what's coming up:

• Tuesday, April 7, 6:00 PM, City Council Chambers — The School Board presents the budget as it currently stands to City Council for the first time

• Monday, April 13, 6:00 PM, High School Lecture Hall — The School Board will discuss and possibly vote on the budget. Attend in person or watch live on SPC-TV.

Make Your Voice Heard

The district is holding listening sessions to gather community input on the reconfiguration. Skillin families have four ways to participate:

• Fill out the online feedback form

• Attend the in-person session at Skillin — Wednesday, April 8, 6:00–7:00 PM

• Join the virtual session — Monday, April 13, 9:30–10:30 AM

• Attend the in-person session at the High School — Monday, April 13, 4:45-5:45 PM (Board Meeting to follow at 6:00 PM)

You can also share feedback directly with School Board members.

The Skillin PTA will continue to keep you informed as decisions are made. Thank you for staying engaged!