Newport Council approves academic integration advisory committee to study regional collaboration with Middletown

The Newport City Council on a 5-2 vote approved a resolution calling for formation of an Academic Integration Advisory Committee to advise on collaboration between Newport and Middletown public schools.

The resolution, introduced by Councilor Steph Penick, asks the Newport School Committee, the Middletown Town Council and the Middletown School Committee to support formation of the advisory group and directs the committee to include superintendents or their designees, curriculum and academic success advisors, parent–teacher organization representatives, public school educators recommended by bargaining units, policy‑committee designees from each school committee, community‑based educational support program representatives and others with integration expertise. "Within 90 days of its formation, the Academic Integration Advisory Committee shall present a request for necessary resources and a proposed action plan outlining strategies to advance educational integration and equity…