Middletown Democrats Condemn Proposal From District To Close 3 Schools

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The Middletown Democratic Party said they disagree with a proposal from the Middletown school board to close three schools as part of its proposed 2025-'26 budget.

"The Middletown Democrats stand firmly with the concerned citizens who voiced their outrage during the Board of Education meeting on March 18," said the party in a statement mailed to the media. "The superintendent of schools and the Board of Education made a troubling choice to unveil a school closure plan with minimal notice and a shocking lack of transparency. We fully support the parents and students who passionately expressed their concerns to the Board."

"The actions of the Board come as no surprise to those who have observed its behavior over the past five years," continued the Middletown Democratic Party. "Their focus on politically charged cultural issues reveals a troubling neglect of their primary responsibility: overseeing the education of our children and enhancing our community. As highlighted by several parents, the Board abandoned the Strategic Planning process in 2021, opting to engage in costly and ineffective lawsuits rather than confronting the realities of declining enrollment and reductions in state funding."

The party also said the board should have held Tuesday night's meeting in a larger space, as hundreds of parents were locked out of the High School North library due to space limitations, and were waiting outside the meeting on the sidewalk.

"Instead of utilizing larger meeting spaces to accommodate the public, the Board chose to restrict access, effectively locking hundreds of taxpayers out of the discussion. The short notice of the meeting and limited access for parents and students are simply unacceptable."

"The Middletown Democrats unequivocally condemn the actions of the superintendent and the Board. We urge voters to keep these decisions in mind when selecting candidates in the upcoming November elections."

Signed by, the Middletown Democratic Party

Michael Morris, Chairman
Marguerite Stocker, Vice-Chair
Nick DiFranco, Treasurer
Rocky Rios, Recording Secretary
John Patrouch, Corresponding Secretary
Pat Reilly, Sergeant-At-Arms