Middletown board accepts OutRight grant to bring bikes and curriculum to Beaman Middle School

The Middletown School District board voted May 27 to accept a two‑year OutRight grant that will supply Beaman Middle School with a fleet of bicycles, helmets, a cycling curriculum and professional development for teachers.

"The grant provides a fleet of 35 to 40 bicycles and helmets at no cost," said Natalie Folks, the district's executive director of finance, during a briefing to the board. Folks said the award also includes an online certification course and that the program will be taught during regularly scheduled physical‑education hours.

The grant is targeted at Title I middle schools that serve underserved communities, Folks said, and requires annual school‑level outcome reporting. She told the board the award makes the district eligible next year to apply for up to $15,000 in follow‑on funding to support the program's launch.

Board members asked for operational details. "Will this be required or students going to be asked if they want to take part in this program?" asked Kim Grant, the board's vice chair. Folks said she did not have the full enrollment detail but that "it will form part of the regular PE," and she would seek clarification on whether participation would be opt‑in or included as the PE module for students.

Questions about storage and maintenance were addressed by Marco Gaylor, director of facility safety and security, who said the district uses the Remington Rand building to store and repair bikes for its elementary programs and will use the same system for Beaman. "When the bikes are needed for those units, my staff transports the bikes from Remington Rand to the school, while they're participating during that unit, and then we bring them back to Remington Rand, for storage when the unit is not in session," Gaylor said. He added that PE teachers currently handle routine upkeep and the district partners with a local bike shop for more extensive repairs.

Folks said potential ongoing tune‑up or maintenance costs could be addressed in a second‑year grant application or through the PE budget once the district sees what the program requires after the first year.

After discussion, Folks moved to accept the grant; the chair noted that Kelly Dee seconded the motion. The board proceeded to a roll‑call vote administered by Joyce Carey; all voting members present were recorded as "Aye," and the chair announced the motion carried.

Equipment delivery is expected in the fall of 2026 and staff will complete the foundation's required paperwork and teacher registrations to enable the professional development and certification that accompany the grant. Board members asked for a follow‑up report after the program's initial implementation period.

The meeting adjourned following the vote.