Public Debates Elementary Expansion Project
Public debates the last piece of Middletown schools’ huge $96M building project
March 1, 2019
By Michael D. Clark, Journal-News Staff Writer
“The final chapter of the largest construction project in Middletown schools history is still being publicly debated…
“The $96 million building project, which has already seen a new middle school, a renovated high school and a new track and field stadium all on the Middletown High School campus, is now focusing on a $10 million plan to relieve elementary school overcrowding…
“The final decision on the school expansion project may come in late April, the superintendent told parents Thursday evening…
“Styles met with a half dozen school parents at Mayfield Elementary as part of his district leadership team’s listening tour to gather community and school staffers’ input on how best the district should go about reducing overcrowding in elementary schools…
“His first proposal, which included expanding Central Academy School and moving that school’s 6th grade to Highview Elementary, was unanimously rejected by the school board…
“In response the superintendent later announced a series of public meetings on the coming $10 million project, which at this point may take a number of different options impacting several of the district’s seven elementary schools…
“‘Our desire here is to capture your ideas and insights and take those back to the board of education,’ Styles told parents. ‘Our job here is to listen’...
“Styles told them he expects to report back on the community’s input at the board’s March 18 meeting and present members with a first-reading resolution at the April 8 meeting. A final board vote on how to proceed with the project could come on April 29…
“Middletown school parent Danielle Hattley said after the Mayfield school meeting she appreciated district officials’ latest approach in reaching out to the community...She was sympathetic about the overcrowding...which has seen some classrooms in the elementary school with up to 28 students…
“School parent Bryan Moren said dividing the school expansion project to a number of schools may be the best approach rather than concentrating on expanding only one school, such as Central Academy, which Styles previously proposed…
“The remaining meetings, which all begin at 6 p.m., are: March 7 at Wildwood Elementary; March 12 at Central Academy; March 13 at Miller Ridge Elementary and March 14 at Creekview Elementary.”
*IN CASE YOU MISSED IT*
Journal-News: Public Debates Elementary Expansion Project
Journal-News Staff Writer Michael D. Clark joined Mayfield Elementary parents at the latest communication conversation on the proposed elementary expansion project. The $10 million project will alleviate space and enrollment concerns in the district’s elementary schools.