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Council approves resolution to pursue school regionalization discussions with Middletown after lengthy debate (5-2)
Summary
After extended public comment and council debate about community engagement, special-education protections and the distribution of potential state reimbursements, the council voted 5-2 to approve a resolution to pursue talks with Middletown and to appoint an academic integration/advisory commission.
The council voted 5-2 to adopt a resolution directing the city to pursue discussions with Middletown and the Rhode Island Department of Education on an administrative regionalization option that would combine certain district-level functions (shared superintendent and finance office) while keeping students and teachers in their home communities. Sponsors said the state now offers higher reimbursement incentives (figures discussed in the meeting cited up to 80% or more), and they argued the city risks foregoing significant funds if it delays.
Opponents and several public commenters urged fuller stakeholder engagement, including specific plans for how reimbursement savings would be allocated (special education and program staffing were repeatedly raised). Beth Cullen, a member of the Newport School Committee, urged timely action and warned the district could lose an estimated $4,000,000 annually if the communities do not act: "If you don't vote on this tonight, we can't move forward," she said. Parents at the meeting asked for firm commitments about how state reimbursement would be allocated back to students and asked that the academic integration advisory commission be convened promptly.
