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Votes at a glance: Middletown School Committee approves calendar, rides resolution and other items
Summary
At its Feb. 13 meeting the Middletown School Committee approved several routine and substantive items, including the 2025–26 school calendar, a resolution asking state lawmakers to fund transportation for homeless youth, and the second reading of policy 1041.
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. — The Middletown School Committee voted on multiple agenda items Feb. 13. The committee approved routine business and several motions with voice votes. Highlights:
- 2025–26 school calendar: Approved. The committee voted to adopt the 2025–26 school calendar; the district will align with Portsmouth on start dates and keep the district schedule consistent in key break periods. Committee members discussed snow‑day protocols and remote learning provisions for the next year.
- RIDE "rides" resolution to fund transportation for homeless youth: Approved. The committee voted to send a resolution urging the state to provide funding for mandated transportation for homeless students; members noted many districts face unfunded transportation mandates and plan to coordinate with town officials and neighboring districts.
- Second and final reading of School Committee policy 1041 (school committee policy process): Approved. Minor typographical corrections were requested and accepted during discussion.
- Consent agenda and other routine items (including approval of master service agreement with Hazel Health listed in the consent packet): Approved.
- Subcommittee review/assignments: Tabled. The committee tabled further action while the vice chair refines which items are formal school‑committee subcommittees (which are subject to open‑meeting posting) and which are town appointments.
How these were discussed: Mr. Hyde, the district’s finance director, described budget constraints and transportation procurement requirements under Rhode Island law, noting transportation bids are out to bid with a scheduled opening on Feb. 27. On the rides resolution, members emphasized the fiscal strain of mandated transportation for private and homeless students and described plans to meet with legislative chairs to press for state support.
All listed motions were carried by voice vote as recorded by the chair.
What happens next: The committee will continue budget work in advance of town deadlines, consider transportation bid results after Feb. 27, and expect additional followup on subcommittee assignments at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
