Recommendations of Middletown’s Regionalization Planning Committee

The Regional Planning Committee met 4 times to discuss issues related to potential school regionalization, The Committee heard from Superintendent Rosemarie Kraeger (enrollment), MPS Facilities Manager Edward Collins (facilities, transportation), Attorney Daniel K. Kinder (contracts), Attorney Michael W. Miller (governance).

Documents reviewed included the 2009 RIPEC Study, comparable data from RI high schools, and comparable programs from 19 RI high schools and 7 MA regional high schools. The committee anticipates that the reports from the ad hoc committee (updated RIPEC data and the Educational Study) will validate the reviewed data.

Based on the information provided and collaborative discussion, the committee has concluded the following:

• School regionalization will provide a benefit to the community through a 21st century school that will attract economic development through workforce development and an increased quality of life.

• School regionalization will provide increased student opportunities through a diverse and expanded program for a critical mass of students.

• School regionalization will provide potential savings through shared facilities and costs, which would not otherwise be feasible given local fiscal constraints.

Therefore, the committee makes the following recommendations:

The Regional Planning Committee supports the concept of school regionalization through a phase-in process, beginning at the high school level.

The Regional Planning Committee recognizes the benefit of a timeline that places the question on the ballot for the 2012 Presidential election.

In that regard, the Committee further recommends the following:

• That the Middletown Town Council affirm its support for the concept of school regionalization.

• That the Middletown Town Council develop a proposed timeline to guide activities that will lead to a November 2012 ballot question.

• That the Middletown Town Council approve a resolution encouraging the other Newport County/ communities (Newport, Portsmouth, Jamestown, Tiverton, and Little Compton) to similarly explore the concept of school regionalization as it applies to their municipalities. .

• That the President of the Middletown Town Council promote and initiate collaborative discussions with each of the Newport County Councils.

Please see the following post for details of the discussions that led to the above recommendations.