Current Status
The Director of Mental/Behavioral Health position is currently under scrutiny during budget discussions. The Superintendent is defending the role as essential for providing specialized expertise, while some board members and citizens question its retention amid cuts to other student-facing positions.
Overview
- On April 7, 2025, the Superintendent defended retaining the Director of Mental/Behavioral Health, arguing the role provides essential, specialized expertise to meet student needs.
- During the March 31, 2025 meeting, board members debated eliminating the Director of Mental and Behavioral Health position to fund the restoration of other staff roles.
- On December 9, 2024, the Director of Mental Health reported on proactive staff work and a partnership to apply for a $500,000 grant to enhance services.
- The board discussed robust mental health staffing and plans to partner with a national organization for suicide prevention on October 15, 2024.
- In response to a student suicide crisis, the Superintendent announced plans on September 9, 2024, to hire a new Director of Mental and Behavioral Health and implement universal screeners.
- On April 8, 2024, a parent suggested that investing in preventative measures like Pre-K could be a more effective use of funds than creating a new mental health leadership position.
Perspectives
Board
- Questioned the rationale for retaining director-level positions like Mental/Behavioral Health while cutting others and requested cost analyses for alternatives (April 2025).
- Proposed eliminating the Director of Mental and Behavioral Health position to pay for restoring SEL teachers (March 2025).
- Acknowledged the urgent student mental health crisis following student deaths (September 2024).
Administration
- Superintendent Metheny defended the Director of Mental/Behavioral Health role as providing essential, specialized expertise (April 2025).
- The Superintendent presented data on achievement gaps and student well-being to justify retaining the Director of Mental and Behavioral Health (March 2025).
- In response to a crisis, the Superintendent outlined plans to hire a Director of Mental and Behavioral Health, implement screeners, and expand training (September 2024).
Staff
- Voiced opposition to cutting student-facing positions while the administration appears 'top-heavy' (April 2025).
Citizens
- Opposed cutting student-facing positions while the administration seems 'top-heavy' and expressed concerns about budget transparency (April 2025).
- Described the situation as a public health emergency and urged the district to immediately consult with external experts on suicide postvention (September 2024).
- A parent suggested investing in preventative measures like Pre-K would be more proactive than creating a new leadership role for mental health (April 2024).
Key Resolutions & Votes
| Date | Motion | Result |
|---|---|---|
| April 8, 2024 | To approve South Portland School Department Plan for Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services | Passed |
Meeting History
April 7, 2025
April 7, 2025 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Defense of New Director Roles
Superintendent Metheny defended the retention of newer director-level positions for Multilingual Programs, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and Mental/Behavioral Health. He argued these roles provide essential, specialized expertise required to meet the district's evolving legal obligations and student needs, which are not as broadly held among existing staff as curriculum expertise is.
Board Discussion on Budget Priorities
Board members engaged in a lengthy discussion, questioning the rationale for cutting the long-standing Director of Curriculum while retaining newer director roles. The debate centered on the balance between administrative overhead and student-facing positions, with members requesting cost analyses for various alternative scenarios, such as reconfiguring director roles or reducing an assistant principal position.
Public Comment
Teachers, parents, students, and citizens voiced strong opinions on the budget. Dominant themes included opposition to cutting student-facing positions (SEL, curriculum, music, ed techs) while the administration appears 'top-heavy,' concerns about a lack of transparency in the budget process, and the need to address declining enrollment by investing in programs that attract families.
March 31, 2025
March 31, 2025 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Superintendent's Priorities
The Superintendent strongly defended retaining the Director of Mental and Behavioral Health and the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He presented district data showing significant achievement gaps and differing feelings of fairness between white students and students of color as evidence that this leadership is critical unfinished work.
Board Deliberations on Funding Sources
To fund restorations, members debated cutting or reducing central office leadership. Eliminating the Director of Mental and Behavioral Health position to pay for the SEL teachers was a leading proposal. Reducing the DEI Director to a coordinator role was also discussed.
December 9, 2024
December 9, 2024 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Mental and Behavioral Health Initiatives
Director Erika Boulware provided an update on the district's mental health landscape, highlighting the proactive work of staff and engagement with support organizations. She also announced a partnership with SoPo Unite to apply for a $500,000 opioid settlement grant to enhance services.
October 15, 2024
October 15, 2024 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Mental Health Initiatives
The board discussed mental health supports, including a family night at the high school and a district-wide virtual forum with partners like NAMI and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The Superintendent highlighted the district's robust mental health staffing and plans to partner with a national organization to enhance suicide prevention efforts.
September 9, 2024
September 9, 2024 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Student Mental Health Crisis
The board and superintendent addressed the urgent student mental health crisis, acknowledging three recent student suicides. Superintendent Matheney outlined current supports and future plans, including hiring a new Director of Mental and Behavioral Health, implementing universal screeners for all students, and expanding staff training.
Public Comment on Mental Health
Several citizens, including parents and healthcare professionals, spoke passionately, describing the situation as a public health emergency and a potential suicide cluster. They urged the district to immediately consult with external experts, specifically recommending the JED Foundation, to implement postvention and intervention strategies.
April 8, 2024
April 8, 2024 — School Board Meeting — SPSD
Public Comment on Budget
During the audience of citizens, parent Baba Ly addressed the board regarding the proposed mental health position. While supporting the focus on mental health, he suggested that investing in preventative measures like Pre-K for at-risk children could be a more proactive and effective use of funds than creating a new leadership role.