7 Middletown Parents File Appeal With State, Seeking To Block School Closures

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — This week, a group of Middletown parents filed an appeal petition with the New Jersey Department of Education; they are seeking to block the school district's attempt to close two elementary schools and a middle school.

The parents filed the 206-page appeal March 4; you can read it here. The seven parents who filed it are Kristin Rooney, Scott McPherson, Emilie Donohue, Jessica Donohue, Melissa Daus, Megan Daus and Kathleen Young.

Their appeal argues, in part, that closing the schools will result in overcrowded buildings, reduce student safety and contribute to racial segregation, the Asbury Park Press reported.

The parents also argue Middletown school district officials lied about the process, NJ.com reported. They say superintendent Jessica Alfone and business administrator Amy Doherty directed Ross Haber, an educational consultant the district hired, to revise his recommendations to align with their plan to close the three schools, which the parents say was predetermined by the district.

The Middletown school district plans to begin the process of closing Leonardo and Navesink elementary schools when the school year ends in June.

The students from those two schools will be moved into Bayshore Middle School, which will cease being a middle school and will become the new Bayshore Elementary.

The Middletown school district says the school closures are necessary to fill a $3.2-million budget hole, which is expected to balloon to a $14-million deficit in future years.

Last April, the school district raised its portion of the tax levy 10.1 percent. But Alfone said several times in the past year that one-time tax hike would not take future possible school closings off the table. Also, the Middletown school district started a redistricting process in May. Alfone said the school district is grappling with reduced funding from Trenton, aging school buildings that are not filled to capacity and increased operating costs.

The seven parents are asking the NJ Department of Education to overturn a resolution the Middletown school board passed Feb. 26, in a narrow 5-4 vote to close the two elementary schools.

Leonardo, Navesink Elementaries, Bayshore Middle School Will Close At End Of June (March 5)

Middletown School Board Votes To Close 3 Schools: Leonardo, Navesink Elementaries And Bayshore Middle School (Feb. 27)