Portland Public Schools Packet Summary — 2026-09-09
Meeting: Policy Committee - Sep 09 2026
Date: September 9, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM
Format: Remote only
The Portland Public Schools Policy Committee is scheduled to review its 2026-27 work plan, consider two carryover items identified for discussion and a vote, begin review of a proposed animals-in-schools policy, and introduce a conversation about screen time and use. The agenda also includes introductions, agenda review, and public comment.
Key Items on the Agenda
2026-27 Policy Committee Work Plan
The committee is scheduled to discuss its draft agenda and expectations for the 2026-27 year. The accompanying schedule identifies a key priority of ensuring required policies are written or updated while also reviewing and cleaning up outdated policies.
The draft schedule lays out policy work through June 2027. Topics planned for later meetings include service animals, declared School Committee vacancies and attendance requirements, AEDs, child abuse or neglect, purchasing, booster clubs, use of private and school-owned vehicles, class size, educational philosophy, district goals, fiscal policies, and the annual review of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
2027-28 School Calendar
Policy ICA and the proposed 2027-28 school calendar return as a carryover item from the June agenda and are scheduled for discussion and a vote. The draft calendar proposes teacher days beginning August 24, 2027, with the first student day for grades 1-12 on August 30 and the first day for Pre-K and kindergarten on August 31.
The proposed calendar includes winter break beginning December 20, 2027; February break from February 22-25, 2028, followed by an anticipated observance of Eid al Fitr on February 28; a staff professional-development day with no students on March 29; and April break from April 18-21.
The draft sets June 12, 2028 as the last student day if no storm days are used. Additional storm days could move the last student day through June 15, with the last student day designated as a half day and the last teacher day occurring the following day.
Policy and Governance Items
Policy EBCA — Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
Policy EBCA and the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan are another carryover item from the June agenda, scheduled for discussion and a vote. The packet states that Maine law and district policy require the plan to be reviewed and approved annually and that substantive changes to the plan also require approval.
The public portion of the plan establishes district-wide approaches to mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. It assigns responsibilities for school-level emergency plans, safety teams, annual safety audits, drills, emergency equipment and training, incident command, family reunification, communications, and post-incident recovery. More detailed incident-specific standard operating procedures are maintained in a confidential addendum for safety reasons.
Among the plan's preparedness measures are site-specific emergency procedures, identified rally and relocation locations, regular drills, emergency-response equipment, and safety training for staff and students. The plan prioritizes first-aid and CPR training for key staff at each site.
The plan also calls for an annual safety audit of every school. Audits are to examine building and grounds safety, fire-safety equipment, emergency exits, response equipment, signage, training plans, and documentation of drills; principals are responsible for addressing identified gaps or concerns with support from the central office or appropriate City agencies.
Policy IMG — Animals in Schools
The committee is scheduled for a first discussion of Policy IMG, Animals in Schools and at School-Sponsored Activities. The draft policy covers animals other than service animals; service animals are addressed separately under Policy ACAC.
The proposed policy would generally require written permission from the principal before an animal is brought to school and would generally limit animals to purposes related to the educational program. It also would require parents of affected students to be informed before permission is granted and provides for parents to raise objections, allergies, or other health concerns.
Other provisions include vaccination requirements where applicable, restrictions on wild animals, restraint and handler requirements for domesticated animals, procedures following animal-related injuries, and standards for classroom animal care. The draft also prohibits using animals for school-related fundraising, raffles, contests, or promotions and prohibits uses that cause animals pain or distress.
Screen Time and Use
The agenda includes an introductory discussion on screen time and use. The packet does not identify a proposed policy or action for this item, so it is best understood as an initial conversation rather than a scheduled decision.
What to Watch at the Meeting
- Two potential votes: The agenda specifically identifies the 2027-28 school calendar and Policy EBCA/Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan as discussion-and-vote items carried over from June.
- Calendar details: The committee may examine the proposed instructional calendar, holidays and breaks, professional-development days, and provisions for extending the school year when storm days are used.
- Emergency-management governance: The packet describes an extensive district-wide framework for safety planning, annual audits, preparedness, emergency response, communications, reunification, and recovery.
- Animals in schools: Policy IMG is at the first-discussion stage, giving the committee an opportunity to review proposed rules before a later vote. The draft committee schedule anticipates discussion and a vote on IMG at the October 14 meeting.
- Longer-term policy workload: The committee's proposed 2026-27 schedule establishes a substantial sequence of policy reviews and updates extending through the end of the school year.
The agenda lists upcoming Policy Committee meetings for October 14, November 18, and December 2, 2026.
The official public-body source used for this packet is Portland Public Schools.
Civic Translator summarized publicly available meeting materials.
