We are thrilled to join in the celebration of Carole Smith being named superintendent of Portland Public Schools, and claim her as one of our own.

Carole is a tremendous leader. Her unwavering commitment to youth is palpable and inspiring. It is from this commitment that she dedicated 23 years of her professional life to the success of Open Meadow youth and programs, building a small grass-roots non-profit serving 36 youth into an award-winning national model, an accredited, multi-dimensional organization serving over 600 youth annually.

We see Carole’s appointment as a ringing endorsement of Carole’s belief in the importance of having strong educational options for youth of all races and economic backgrounds, in the importance of multiple pathways to graduation, the importance of cultivating effective partnerships to achieve success, and the importance of maintaining the highest standards for all youth. We applaud the Portland School Board’s decision and offer our best wishes to Carole as she embarks on her dramatic journey at the helm of Portland Public Schools.