PORTLAND, Maine (WGME) — A Portland non-profit has received a $1 million anonymous donation, with the Foundation for Portland Public Schools announcing that about half of the funds will be allocated to support arts and music education in the Portland Public School system.
Advocates believe this contribution will provide students with more opportunities, a sentiment echoed by many in the district.
Andrea Weisman Summers, Executive Director of the Foundation for Portland Public Schools, said, “The single most common request we got from parents, teachers…we want more music more arts..it builds things like creativity, gives kids tools for self expression, critical thinking, all the benefits you could want but tough thing to prioritize in budget when there are so many competing needs that are also important.”
Portland Public Schools is Maine’s largest school district, serving approximately 6,500 students.