MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION

59 Tindall Road, Middletown, New Jersey  07748

(732) 671-3850

 


Robert W. Bucco, Jr.                                                                                                                                       Enrico Paternostro

Board President                                                                                                                                                     Vice President

 

 

 

 

February 5, 2003

 

To Members of the Middletown Educational Community:

 

            Since December, a group that includes staff, parents and interested residents of Middletown has met to offer suggestions to achieve reconciliation within our community.  I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the ideas that were presented to the new Superintendent, Dr. David Witmer, for consideration and to invite you to attend our next meeting scheduled for February 18th at

7:30 p.m. at High School North’s Library.

            Even though a contract has been signed, it is felt that additional dialogue is needed between the Board of Education and the Middletown Township Education Association leadership.  While not a unanimous suggestion, the majority of the committee does feel that a neutral third party should be hired to facilitate this dialogue.  A consultant has been identified and the proposal was forwarded to Dr. Witmer.  He has agreed to pursue this option.

            Because most of the information on the district schools over the last several years has focused on negotiations, attention has shifted away from the positive and innovative learning programs that exist in Middletown’s schools.  Dr. Witmer has committed to publishing a periodic newsletter that highlights staff accomplishments and student learning outcomes.  This newsletter would be distributed to all Middletown residents.

            Communication between all the stakeholders in the Middletown educational community should continue on an informal and formal basis.  Informally, the Reconciliation Committee that started with the goal of healing should continue in some form as an advisory committee to the new Superintendent.  Membership should remain open to anyone who would like to speak on educational issues in the district.  There should also be a structured approach for dealing with the educational program and environment.

            Every effort should be made to shorten the communication lines from the classroom to the Board of Education and improve communication between central office and school staff.  One suggestion is to implement the terms of the Agreement between the MTEA and Board that establishes a Curriculum Consultation Committee.  This committee is designed to encourage the initiation of ideas and projects.  A program to focus on creating a positive educational environment has also been proposed by the Presidents’ Council.

            A Unity Project was an idea conceived at the council comprised of the PTA/PFA/PTO presidents from all seventeen district schools.  The project unites all schools by participating in a shared community project.  A meeting will be held on February 24th at 7:30 p.m. at High School North’s Library to identify “an idea developed by all and all acting as one.”

            I believe that we have an opportunity to make a change for the better in Middletown and invite you to be a part of it and encourage you to become involved in your neighborhood school.

 

                                                                                    Sincerely,

 

 

                                                                                    MARJORIE R. CAVALIER

                                                                                    Board of Education Member

                                                                                    Chair, Reconciliation Committee

MRC/jm

cc:      Board of Education

          David L. Witmer, Ph.D.

          Central Office Administrators