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Parents urge investigation after Middletown catalog lists rejected math pathway; district says catalog corrected
Summary
Public commenters told the June 9 school board that an ‘integrated’ algebra/geometry pathway rejected by the board appeared in the 2026–27 course catalog, potentially affecting roughly 600 students. Central office said the catalog has been corrected and staff will continue reviewing how the draft listing occurred.
At the June 9 Middletown School District Board of Education meeting, parents asked the board to open an investigation after they said a contested “integrated” math pathway — which consolidates algebra and geometry coursework — appeared in the district’s 2026–27 course catalog despite the board’s earlier rejection.
Public commenter Chris Frier told the board he believed administrators had misled students and families about graduation requirements and said, “I believe the Middletown Public Schools Board of Education should order an investigation into this matter so that evidence of this rogue behavior may be preserved.” Frier also told the board he estimated that, “If there are about 300 students per grade, then about 600 students schedules for 2026 to 2027 have been impacted by these miscommunications.”
Why it matters: families and school staff said erroneous catalog listings may have led to incorrect course enrollments and confusion about graduation pathways — decisions that affect schedules, college readiness and standardized-test preparation. At the meeting Elizabeth Krooks said the integrated pathway was presented to the board in June 2024 and the board voted it down, yet its integrated description appeared in the catalog and in conversations with students and families.
District response: Assistant Superintendent Jen Canada told the board that central office reviewed the catalog and corrected the listing, and that algebra I, geometry and algebra II will be offered as full‑year, standalone courses next year. She also said a half‑year statistics course had been approved in June 2024 by a prior board and that staff are continuing a review to determine how the draft catalog version was produced. Canada asked staff to provide the board an email update when corrective actions — including guidance from the director of guidance to re‑enroll students into the appropriate courses — are completed.
What was asked: Commenters urged a formal investigation into who authorized or circulated the draft language in the catalog and whether employees acted contrary to board decisions. Chris Frier recommended that the board investigate for evidence of “insubordination, malfeasance, or incompetence” and consider discipline if wrongdoing is found.
What officials said they will do next: Central office said the catalog entry was corrected and staff are continuing to review records and enrollment practices. Board members asked staff to return with updates; parents requested a transparent review of the sequence of events and clear instructions for any students who might need to be re‑registered.
The board did not announce a formal investigative vote at the meeting; instead the central office committed to follow up with the board and with parents about corrective steps and enrollment notifications.
