MIDDLETOWN -- Elementary buildings in Middletown - Monroe Schools should house children in grades kindergarten through 4 only, with fifth- and sixth-graders moving to middle schools, a consultant says.
The change in building configuration was among several educational reform and facility recommendations in a 33-page, $98 million package presented to the school board Monday. The five-year plan would require a levy of approximately 6.5 mills.
Columbus consultants PARAGON Communications Inc. worked with the district's facilities committee and Business Education Collaborative in the study, which calls for:
Classroom additions at four other elementary schools.
"This is a pretty significant change. It culminates 2 1/2 years of study," said Superintendent Wayne Driscoll. "As I look at the big picture, my big concern is for 50 years from now. Did we leave adequate facilities? I think this will take care of those kids who will come in the next 50 years."
This is the district's first major overhaul of facilities since several buildings were closed in the early 1980s because of declining enrollment. Middletown's 9,600 pupils are now in 18 buildings, which are an average 54 years old.
After several years of decline, enrollment is expected to begin rising again slowly.
Under the proposal, all-day kindergarten would be expanded to include all children in the district, said consultant Irene Bandy-Hedden, a former assistant superintendent with the Ohio Department of Education. Class sizes for kindergarten and first grade would be no greater than one teacher to 15 pupils. In the second through fourth grades, the ratio would be 1-to-20.
"This is a little different than what Middletown - Monroe has now," Mrs. Bandy-Hedden said. "This will allow elementary teachers to meet the needs of students more readily."
Research shows that the smaller class sizes improve achievement, decrease problem behavior and increase contact among the teacher, students and parents, Mrs. Bandy-Hedden said.
At the middle schools, fifth- and sixth-graders should be grouped together by wing or floor, and the seventh- and eighth-graders likewise should be together for optimal learning, Mrs. Bandy-Hedden said. Interdisciplinary units, where several subject areas are taught together through projects and hands-on learning, should be emphasized.
The district will need enough classrooms for 4,300 to 4,400 children in the elementary schools and 3,300 to 3,400 in the middle schools, said consultant Larry Hedden, a former building administrator. Additional middle schools would allow more student participation in athletics, music, student government, clubs and other activities, Mr. Hedden said.
Two 600-student buildings should be constructed for elementary students to be added to Creekview, Monroe, Rosedale, Roosevelt, Taft or its replacement, Wildwood and Wilson.
Under the plan, middle school students would attend Amanda, Manchester, McKinley or its replacement, Verity and Vail. Classrooms should be added to Creekview, Monroe, Rosedale and Wildwood, with new elementary buildings being constructed on the property at Amanda and Verity, Mr. Hedden said. During the transition, Jefferson, Mayfield, Oneida and Central Academy would be used to house students but should then be closed or converted to other uses.
The cost for the project, which would take five years to implement, is estimated at $98 million, about $756,000 less than the plan presented in January, said Edmund Pokora, treasurer for the Middletown - Monroe Schools. A bond issue estimated at 6.5 mills would be needed. "It's an exciting opportunity to create a new district based on education instead of finances," Mr. Pokora said. "It's a different mode for us. For the same amount as the other plan, we're adding an educational component which makes sense."
The school board will further discuss the plan at its Oct. 12 meeting. At that time, the board will consider adopting the first of two resolutions necessary to put a bond issue on the Feb. 2 special election, Mr. Pokora said. During the next two weeks, educators will continue negotiations with an architectural firm for the project and a financial package will be finished, Mr. Pokora said.
