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School committee votes 5–2 to keep fifth grade at Thompson Middle School for 2026–27
Summary
After extended debate and public comment from teachers and volunteers, the Newport School Committee voted 5–2 to keep the district’s fifth grade at Thompson Middle School for the 2026–27 school year, citing concerns about timing, staffing, and student supports.
The Newport School Committee voted 5–2 to leave fifth grade at Thompson Middle School for the 2026–27 school year after hours of debate about space, special‑education services and timing amid leadership turnover.
The motion was introduced by Mrs. Boland, who said she initially supported moving fifth grade but had changed her view after six weeks of follow‑up work and new information about staffing and supports. “There are so many things that are fighting against it right now,” she said, citing lost positions at Pell (MTSS coordinator, behavior support, family‑service coordinator) and the current fiscal constraints.
Committee concern and public comment Opponents of the move, including Dr. Flowers and other committee members, warned that moving an elementary grade into a middle school context could complicate schedules, special subjects and services. Dr. Flowers told the board it was important to “listen to the people in the trenches” — teachers and administrators — who generally opposed the change.
Teachers and community members urged caution. Jennifer Holt, president of the Teachers Association of Newport, told the committee that fifth‑grade teachers had not been part of a workable plan and that staff and students would lose supports if the move occurred without a clear operational plan: “There has been zero conversation with the fifth grade teachers.” Penny Hunt, a community volunteer and working‑group member, also urged delaying the change until written recommendations and clearer consensus existed.
Vote and outcome After public comment and further discussion — including staff reports that rooms and a draft plan had been prepared — the committee called for a vote. The motion to keep fifth grade at Thompson passed 5–2.
Next step The committee will retain the current grade configuration for 2026–27; members and staff said they would continue working on long‑range planning and revisit the issue if a detailed implementation plan and staffing assurances were ready.
