Middletown Cuts Arts, Spanish Classes To Meet New State Mandate

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Everyone is focused on whether students will return to school in the fall, but one thing is certain: When Middletown elementary students go back, they will have fewer arts classes, music classes and Spanish-language instruction.

And in their place they will have more class time devoted to computer science and typing skills, plus health/physical education.

At their meeting Wednesday night (held virtually due to the pandemic), the Middletown school board approved the curriculum change, which goes into effect in September. Some teacher positions were also eliminated due to the changes.

According to outgoing Middletown schools superintendent Dr. Bill George, the change is required by the state of New Jersey, which is now mandating increased computer science instruction, and increased health/physical education time. (Recess can no longer count towards the required 150 minutes weekly of health/PE.)

The state Dept. of Education defines the new curriculum requirement as "K-5 Computer Science and Design Thinking and Career Readiness, Life Literacies and Key Skills."

The new classes are meant to increase students' typing skills, computer literacy and prepare them for likely careers working with technology and online.

"Starting in September of this year, 2020 the state is rolling out new computer technology standards that will now have specific targets that K-5 needs to meet," said assistant superintendent Kim Pickus at the Wednesday night meeting. "It required the introduction of a digital design and computer science course at the elementary level."

However, it also required the district reduce class time devoted to arts/music and Spanish. Art and music teachers are now being split among multiple Middletown elementary schools, and some teachers will have to travel to up to five elementary schools next fall.

For example, in the new set-up, art, music, physical education, Spanish, typing and computer design will be divided into a schedule spread out over the entire academic year. Students will alternate all the classes throughout the week.

Multiple Middletown parents said they are dismayed by the changes, and some are worried that teachers are being spread too thin.

"Some of the arts teachers will be in four or five schools and only see the students a few times for half of the year. Many of the elementary students won't have any concerts or holiday programs because of these cuts, and the administration shows no remorse," said one Middletown dad. "The cuts are unfair for the students who love and succeed in art and music. The district should offer more arts enrichment and clubs like chorus or bring visiting artists when they make cuts like this. I would hope that they reconsider this cut. More parents are hearing about it and are not happy about this."

Dr. George said there will be choral and band concerts as well as art exhibits next year.

"The district will continue to offer world language in a six-day elementary schedule rotation," he said.

Additionally, while Middletown has already lost millions in state aid over the past several years, "these mandates have added costs to the budget," said Board president Pamela Rogers.

As Patch reported, Dr. George is leaving the district at the end of this school year. He is retiring from public education and taking a new position as an assistant higher education professor at Monmouth University.

Read: Middletown School Superintendent William George Retires (May 10, 2020)

Watch the May 13 Middletown BOE video:

Middletown, Hazlet Schools Lose (Again) In State Aid Formula (February 2020)