I’ve spent the last eight months getting to know our Newport School District thoroughly as a new member of the school committee by speaking with educators, students, administrators, and community partners. One thing is evident from what I’ve witnessed: despite dwindling funding and enrollment, we need to redirect resources toward student success.
The education of our children is at a turning point. Millions of dollars are squandered annually on unnecessary administrative overhead that ought to be used to support classrooms rather than offices. The consolidation measures this week must thus be approved by the City Council and the School Committee.
Imagine the benefits of saving millions of dollars by combining Middletown’s administrative functions: more career and technical programs, fewer class sizes, more teacher professional development, and enhanced mental health support. Instead, we still run redundant services, duplicate central offices, and fund two superintendents. Maintaining two administrations depletes our teachers’ and students’ resources and does not preserve local sovereignty.
If common sense doesn’t change, the way forward is obvious:
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More taxpayer dollars spent on administrators, not students.
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Fewer resources for student support services, extracurriculars, and academics.
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Fixed costs rising while student enrollment falls.
We can free up millions of dollars annually to rebuild programs, empower teachers, and create a sustainable future for our schools if we take action now.
Middletown decisively decided to regionalize in 2022. Due in large part to the lack of a clear plan for how consolidation will directly benefit students, Newport just missed the mark. Reopening the topic is not anti-democratic; in fact, it is fundamental to democracy to review choices when new information becomes available, opportunities arise, and the stakes rise. The advantages for pupils are tangible and convincing this time.
The moment has come to prioritize students over the current situation. I implore readers to get in touch with our political representatives right now and push them to back this initial step toward Middletown consolidation.
Let’s make prudent investments in our kids’ futures.
Newport School Committee contact information: https://www.npsri.net/page/2024-2026-school-committee…
http://www.cityofnewport.com/city-hall/city-council/councilor-bios is the link to reach the Newport City Council.Regards,
The Newport School Committee’s Beth Cullen
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