The Middletown Board of Education (BOE) has decided to halt its previous plan to close several schools in the 2026-27 school year, responding directly to strong community opposition. On May 12, the board voted 6-2 with two abstentions to cancel the proposed closures of Leonardo and Navesink elementary schools and to stop the conversion of Bayshore Middle School into an elementary school. This move follows months of intense public debate and widespread concern among parents and local residents.
Earlier this year, the BOE had approved a restructuring plan aimed at addressing budget shortfalls and changing student enrollment patterns. The original proposal forecasted savings of roughly $3 million through these school closures and the conversion project, which would have led to layoffs affecting about 40 staff members in various positions. These projected savings were incorporated into the district’s $201 million budget for the upcoming academic year.
Despite initial approval, mounting tension surfaced as community members voiced their dissatisfaction during board meetings. A particularly extended session on April 28 resulted in the BOE passing the budget but failing to approve a long-term facilities plan necessary to implement the closures. In light of this, board member Joan Minnuies introduced a motion to rescind the closure plans, highlighting the lack of approval for the facilities plan as a key reason.
The decision to reverse course also aligned with recommendations from BOE President Chris Aveta and Superintendent Jessica Alfone, who had urged a delay in school consolidations in a letter addressed to district residents. Community pushback had been intense, with meetings extending late into the evening, police presence required at times, and parents organizing rallies while submitting a formal petition to the state Commissioner of Education.
Parents like Kristin Rooney, an active member of the Navesink Elementary PTA, emphasized that community involvement played a pivotal role in influencing the board’s decision. Rooney called for transparent collaboration between the BOE, school administrators, and families moving forward. She stressed that future planning must carefully balance financial responsibility with the educational needs of students.
Regarding concerns about financial and staffing impacts from reversing the closures, Business Administrator Amy Doherty explained that funds originally earmarked for school conversion projects would be reallocated within the district. She further clarified that any staff reductions would be managed through attrition by not filling existing vacancies rather than initiating new layoffs.
This reversal marks a significant pause in Middletown’s consolidation efforts and underscores the challenges school boards face when balancing budget constraints with community priorities and educational goals. Both board members and residents now appear committed to working collaboratively toward a transparent and thoughtful approach that prioritizes student success and fosters community trust.
