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Monroe Public Schools board hears case for a 5th–6th intermediate school; no decision yet
Summary
Educators urged the board to create a dedicated 5th–6th grade building to reduce transitions and free classroom space; board members raised timing, staffing, cost and enrollment concerns and recessed the work session without taking formal action.
At a Jan. 14, 2025 work session, Monroe Public Schools administrators and a coalition of teachers presented a proposal to create an intermediate school for 5th- and 6th-grade students, arguing the change would reduce student transitions and relieve overcrowded elementary classrooms.
Superintendent Shaw summarized outreach to peer districts and outlined key logistics and timing, including boundary work in February, route planning in March–April, bus assignments in August and classroom moves in June–July. “We brought forth answers and some more information,” Shaw said as she introduced the administration’s plan and a schedule for implementation.
Teachers and school leaders framed the proposal as an instructional and space solution. “I support the proposal to create an intermediate school for our 5th and 6th graders,” teacher Chantelle Stephens told the board, saying a dedicated 5–6 building would “provide our students with a more stable and consistent learning environment.” Melissa Kramer, speaking for a group of educators, added, “We stand united in our support of this proposal.”
Board members expressed interest but raised multiple reservations: the pace of change, potential teacher departures, disruption to students who recently moved because of Waterloo’s closure, and the absence of a full cost estimate. One board member summarized academic concerns by noting a recent meta‑analysis (Hanover Research) did not endorse the change as an academic improvement. Another warned of demographic trends that could alter needs: “in the next 5 years, we’re gonna lose 1000 students,” a member said, citing district enrollment projections.
No vote was taken on the proposal. Superintendent Shaw moved to recess the meeting for a short break; the board approved the recess by show of hands and planned to reconvene. The board will request additional specifics — enrollment and staffing numbers by building, scheduling permutations for band/choir/orchestra, and a fiscal analysis tied to academic outcomes — before considering a formal decision.
