Schools

Tiverton-Little Compton Eyed in Developing Model for Newport County Regional High School

The Middletown Town Council is taking a serious look at what a regional high school might look like. The council is exploring combining Newport County school districts - including Portsmouth Public Schools.

By Olga Enger, Newport and Middletown Patch Editor

The Middletown Town Council approved a resolution this week that would combine Newport County school districts to form a regional school high school and save towns money.

In a 6-1 vote, the Middletown Town Council approved a resolution at its Monday meeting to develop a model of a regional high school. Councilor Bruce Long voted against the motion to approve.

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"[It's] a model for what would a regional high school look like," explained Councilor Dick Adams who co-sponsored the resolution with Councilor Barbara Vonvillas. Adams admitted there are as many unknowns, but it's critical Newport County communities begin to explore options.

“At some point we are going to have to deal with this in a real way,” Adams continued. “It’s time.”

Find out what's happening in Tiverton-Little Comptonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The model will include criteria such as funding, personnel and staffing, curriculum, athletics and enrichment and facilities.

“What are we holding onto?” asked Vonvillas firmly. “A 74 percent graduation rate for a basic education?" 

She pointed out "communities can not afford the increases in school budgets. None of the school committees have been satisfied. And we have given as much as possible as give." She said Little Compton, Tiverton and Jamestown districts could be included into a regional model as well as Aquidneck Island schools.  

Councilor Robert Sylvia said he “wholeheartedly” supported the resolution and that a regional school was the “way to go.”  

“This is a must do,” he added. “We can’t ask our taxpayers any longer to tighten their belt. We can no longer support the services that we have. The individuality has to end.”

Adam said the resolution sends a message to the other communities that Middletown is ready to move forward. 

“We don’t know exactly where we are going, but we better get going,” said Adams.  

A copy of the resolution will be forwarded to all Newport County municipalities, School Committees, State Senators, State Represenatives and the Governor.  


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