Middletown Schools Unveil Plan To Close Port Monmouth Elementary

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — As the Middletown school district has been hit by declining state aid for several years now, rumors have been swirling about possible school consolidation. But nothing was certain.

Now on Tuesday, Middletown schools superintendent Dr. William George made the news official: He would like to consolidate Port Monmouth and New Monmouth elementary schools for the 2020-2021 school year. All the students from Port Monmouth will be moved over to New Monmouth. The news comes as a complete surprise to many in the Middletown school district, even school employees.

"Today I am informing you about our proposal for the consolidation of Port Monmouth and New Monmouth elementary schools," wrote Dr. George in a letter sent home to parents Tuesday. "Students projected to attend Port Monmouth during the 2020-2021 school year along with the New Monmouth students would create a new community of learners at New Monmouth."

The Middletown Board of Education will officially vote March 4 to move forward with the consolidation plan.

Dr. George said he would be talking to the staff at Port Monmouth Tuesday afternoon after dismissal.

It remains unknown, for now, what the district will do with the Port Monmouth school building. Selling the land to developers is certainly an option, and other school districts have gone that route.

George said a drop in enrollment and dwindling state funds from Trenton were the two main factors behind the decision. But he also said the move would be best for all the students involved.

"Declining enrollment and a reduction in state aid have created the opportunity for the consolidation of these two schools," he wrote. "Currently, there is one section of second grade and one section of third grade at Port Monmouth Elementary School. This significantly limits these learners’ opportunities to socialize and grow academically."

Port Monmouth — the school that would be closed down — is 92 years old. The school’s classrooms and common spaces, such as the gymnasium/cafeteria, are out of date, said George. The Middletown school district estimated it would have to pour $3.7 million into maintenance and upgrades for Port Monmouth.

"Even with a multi-million dollar financial commitment, it would be difficult to implement state educational mandates and district initiatives at Port Monmouth," said the superintendent.

By comparison, New Monmouth is the District’s newest elementary school and has the district's most recent, substantial renovations.

The school district launched a public survey in September about how to best confront the district-wide budget crisis, and received approximately 10,000 written responses, said George. They also held seven public forums on the topic.

"The community overwhelmingly requested that priority be placed on reducing class sizes, especially at the elementary level," he said. "This proposal will help attain the goal of maintaining lower and more consistent class sizes across the district."

George said he will be holding staff meetings at Port Monmouth and New Monmouth Tuesday immediately after school. PTO meetings will take place immediately after the staff meetings.

Read: Middletown Schools Lose $1.1 Million In State Aid (June 2018)

Middletown School Taxes Going Up As State Cuts Aid (March 2019)

Get your opinion heard:

• On Wednesday, Feb. 19 - There will be a public school Consolidation Discussion, 7 p.m. at New Monmouth Elementary School. All Middletown residents are welcome to attend and can ask questions.
• Thursday, Feb. 20 - Dr. George will be at Port Monmouth Elementary School during A.M. drop-off hours
• Thursday, Feb. 20 - Dr. George will be at Port Monmouth Elementary School during P.M. pickup hours
• Friday, Feb. 21 - Dr. George will be at Port Monmouth Elementary School during A.M. drop- off hours
• Monday, Feb. 24 – School Consolidation Public Presentation, 7 p.m. at New Monmouth Elementary School
• Wednesday, Feb. 26 - School Consolidation Proposal Presentation at Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m. at High School North
• Wednesday, March 4 - Board action on consolidation proposal at Board of Education Budget meeting