Middletown Releases School Realignment Maps

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — On Monday, Middletown schools superintendent Dr. Bill George announced that the district will likely realign some of the school boundary maps in the district — meaning that students who live in certain areas will be sent to new schools, different than what they are currently zoned for. The changes will take place as early as next September, at the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

Here's who will be affected: Some students at Nut Swamp and Middletown Village will likely be transferred to New Monmouth, which is currently only at 75 percent capacity and can fit more students. Students from Thompson, which is overcrowded by 258 students, will go to either Bayshore or Thorne next year. Related: Middletown May Change School Boundaries, Superintendent Announces

And students who live in the area around the train station and currently go to High School South will be transferred to High School North. On Tuesday, the school district released three maps that show the proposed changes:

Boundary Realignment Proposal Map - Elementary Schools

Boundary Realignment Proposal Map - Middle Schools

Boundary Realignment Proposal Map - High Schools

The district says the realignment is needed because some schools are overcrowded, while others have too few students. For example, as first published in the Asbury Park Press:

• Nut Swamp Elementary is 14 percent over capacity by 73 students, while New Monmouth is only 75 percent full, and can hold 122 more children.
• Thompson Middle School has 1,062 students — 258 more than it should have and 32 percent over capacity, the district says. The other two middle schools, meanwhile, can fit a combined 184 more students.
• High School South now has 1,456 students and is seven percent over capacity. North, however, could accommodate 230 more students.

A public presentation will be held next Monday, October 30 at 6 p.m. at the High School North auditorium to explain the proposed changes. All should attend.