Discussion of Middletown's Regionalization Planning Committee

The Middletown Regionalization Planning Committee met 5 times across 6 months before it presented its considered recommendations to the Middletown Town Council. It interviewed the Middletown Superintendent of Schools and the Facility Manager as well as 2 attorneys familiar with the concept. Its major deliberations are summarized below.


The committee was composed of 4 members appointed by the Town Council and 2 members by the School Committee as required by the legislation. The former included former Town Council President William Flynn, former Middletown Superintendent of Schools Michael Pinto, and current Town Council Members Christopher Semonelli and Barbara VonVillas. The School Committee representatives were members Liana Fenton and Kellie DiPalma. Town Administrator Shawn Brown attended all meetings


The committee’s charge was to explore the concept of school regionalization as it would apply to Middletown.


At the first meeting on July 7, 2010, the committee discussed the following:
• Local efforts, e.g., 2009 RIPEC study, the role of the ad hoc committee; the role of a planning committee (R.I.G.L. 16.3.4), and the role of a planning board ( R.I.G.L. 16.3.5).
• Lack of public engagement and the need to publicize the issue
• Inability to run a comprehensive high school with only 600-700 students
• Concern that many residents send their children to private schools.
• Governance and representation


On August 4, 2010, the committee interviewed Superintendent Kraeger, and School Facilities Manager Ed Collins. Topics included the following:
• Current enrollment and enrollment projections
• Opportunities available through Virtual High School (VHS)
• Disappearance of many electives
• Possibility of starting at Pre-K level
• Center of island beneficial for transportation
• Fielding Nair Facilities Study
• Maximum capacity of drive-in property for high school (with gym and auditorium) is 3,000 students


At its September 8, 2010 meeting, topics included:
• Data related to assessment, spending, and programming at 26 high schools
• Discussion of benefits and issues as related to Middletown

Benefits
1. Middletown is geographical center of island.
2. Student population leans toward center of island
3. Land is available in Middletown
4. Conceptual plans exist for building a new high school
5. A regional district should have balanced representation.
6. Enhanced academic, extracurricular, athletic opportunities
7. 21st century program of academics and skills
8. Consolidation is preferable to tuitioning for cost savings associated with new construction
9. Advantage of cultural diversity
10. Efficiencies/opportunities resulting from critical mass
11. Needs measurable implementation plan
12. Consolidation of support services
13. Marginal enrollment not sufficient to provide a comprehensive program
14. We want to be leaders, not followers.

Issues
1. Marketing/politics
2. Contractual issues
3. Identity
4. Embedded town culture
5. Economic diversity
6. Transportation
7. Real/perceived community wealth
8. Diverse management styles
9. Kids could get lost in a larger school


On September 27, 2010, the committee interviewed Attorney Daniel K. Kinder and Attorney Michael W. Miller who explained as follows:
• A regional district would be a completely new entity
• There could be “zero-sum” budget and contract negotiations in the creation of a model document that would eliminate inefficiencies.
• No one district should have a majority of representation on a regional school committee; three or more districts would be the preferred model.


Finally, on December 2, 2010, the committee completed its deliberations and agreed on the following:
• Importance of schools as the “economic engine” of the community
• Critical mass of students essential for expansion of programming to provide 21st century education as well as meet the growing needs of the job market.
• Timeline critical for collaboration, marketing, and 2012 election
• Recommendations


Please see the follow-up article (above) that will include the specific recommendations of the Planning Committee.