Middletown City Board approves elementary redistricting plan to return sixth graders to neighborhood schools

The Middletown City Board of Education on Jan. 27 approved a redistricting plan to move sixth graders back into elementary schools for the 2025–26 school year, according to presentations and discussion at the board's business meeting.

The board voted to adopt the administration's recommendation after a presentation from Karen Jackson, the district's redistricting presenter, and remarks from Superintendent Dr. Houser. The motion to approve passed on a roll-call vote with all board members voting yes.

The plan was presented as a community-informed option built from data analysis, enrollment projections, capacity studies and four boundary scenarios shown during public meetings in December and via an online survey, Karen Jackson said. "The recommendation will probably not look exactly like one of the options," Jackson told the board, explaining the final map combines elements of the options after public feedback.

Why it matters: The district says the plan reduces transitions for students, returns sixth graders to elementary buildings, and increases preschool capacity while minimizing student movement. Superintendent Dr. Houser framed the proposal as fiscally prudent and educationally beneficial: "The fact that only a 129 students are going to be impacted, is important," she said during discussion.

What the approved plan does: The board accepted a recommendation based principally on the community-favored Option 4. Under the recommendation: - Central Academy will move into the…