News Details

As the District reflects on providing the best possible student experience, enrollment trends, and its responsibility for long-term academic and fiscal planning, we are beginning a focused discussion with our stakeholders about the possibility of transitioning to a unified Middle School configuration to serve Grades 4-8. The intent of a change such as this, if approved by the Board of Education, is to ensure that our organizational structure is able to best support students academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our current Intermediate School (Grades 4-6) and Junior High School (Grades 7-8) began operating as two separate schools in 2012, after the Rosendale Elementary School closed and Grade 4 moved to the Kyserike Road campus. Prior to this, the building functioned as a Grades 5-8 Middle School. 

Since then, enrollment has continued to decline, a trend that is projected to continue. As we consider the possible impacts of these enrollment changes, the concept of a unified Grades 4-8 Middle School structure emerged as a way of ensuring we are able to continue to provide our students with the best possible educational experience. 

This discussion does not involve closing a building or relocating students but instead would involve operating the existing building as one school with unified leadership. Students and staff would remain in the same classrooms and instructional spaces, and existing instructional models would remain unchanged. 

Additional information to help families learn more about the concept being considered has been posted on the District website. A brief Frequently Asked Questions page provides additional details, including background and the rationale behind why this idea is being explored.

We also want to hear from you. Families are encouraged to share feedback, ideas, or concerns by completing this Google Form, which is also linked on the District website. Your feedback is important and will help inform our conversations and any potential next steps, including identifying questions and concerns that need to be addressed. We will also present this concept to the Board of Education at its February 10 meeting and there will be an opportunity for members of the community to share ideas and feedback as part of public comment. In addition, we will have a special Board meeting at the end of February. We encourage your attendance. We are also planning separate meetings with staff and students to hear their perspectives.

We will continue to communicate as this discussion progresses. Thank you for taking the time to review this information and for your continued partnership and support. 

Sincerely,

Paul Spadaro, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools