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Survey finds 78% support for turning two elementary schools into middle schools; board plans committee work
Summary
A district survey of 1,164 respondents showed 78.4% support for transitioning two existing elementary schools into middle schools (grades 6–8); the board said it will form committees and revisit the issue with the incoming director.
The Cumberland County Board of Education presented results from a district survey on middle school reconfiguration and said respondents favored converting two existing elementary schools into middle schools.
Staff reported 1,164 survey responses collected over spring break; the final question asked whether respondents supported transitioning two existing elementary schools to serve grades 6–8. Staff said 78.4% answered yes — a level of support the director called unusually high compared with prior surveys. The survey also asked who completed it and about perceived benefits and drawbacks.
Board members discussed next steps: establishing internal committees to study costs, potential school selections, and operational details, and resurveying the community after committees develop options. Staff said committees and a renewed outreach process could start when the new director is in place in July and August.
Ending: The board instructed staff to form committees and return to the board with options, costs, and a plan for further community engagement and resurveying before any formal restructuring decisions.
