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Middletown schools show mixed academic results; chronic absenteeism falls
Summary
Dr. Chris Erso, president of the Middletown School Board, reported improvements in district math and reading scores and a large drop in chronic absenteeism, while early literacy declined and district leaders warned of looming federal grant changes.
Dr. Chris Erso, president of the Middletown School Board, told attendees at the State of the City event that six district schools earned an overall rating of 3 or higher on the latest state report card and that districtwide math and reading proficiency have risen over five years. "Progress is real, but so is the work still ahead of us," Dr. Erso said.
The report card showed Amanda, Central Academy, Creekview and Mayfield earned an overall rating of 3; Middletown Middle School had a 3.5; and Miller Ridge received a 4. Officials emphasized measurable gains — math proficiency up 11 percent and reading up 9 percent over five years — alongside persistent weaknesses in early literacy.
District leaders highlighted a sizable reduction in chronic absenteeism, which fell from 44.5 percent in 2023–24 to 35.9 percent in 2024–25, an 8.6 percentage-point improvement. Dr. Erso credited partnerships among families, community organizations and city leaders for helping students get to school more consistently.
Officials described several facilities and operational moves aimed at supporting students. The district is repurposing a former building as an early learning center and is nearing completion of a 26,000-square-foot transportation and maintenance facility; staff expect to begin occupancy by Oct. 30, with demolition of the old site and paving work the following November. At Barnett Stadium, the district replaced the turf surface, adding an extra padded safety layer; the project was funded through the district's permanent improvement fund.
On finances, Dr. Erso said the district reduced expenses by $2.2 million this year and plans an additional $450,000 in reductions next year while striving to avoid cuts to classroom opportunities. He warned that federal changes to how education grants are distributed could remove more than $1 million in annual funding, a potential headwind the district is preparing to address.
District leaders framed academic gains and facility investments as steps in a longer process. "We know more needs to be done academically to improve our district's overall standing," Dr. Erso said, urging continued focus on early literacy and sustaining attendance gains.
Details the district provided at the event came from the state report card and district financial summaries described by Dr. Erso; officials did not present a vote or formal board action during the speech and did not provide a detailed breakdown of the federal grant changes beyond the possible annual shortfall figure.
