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What is included in the scope of the project?
What is included in the scope of the project?
The scope includes a new Middle School/High School at the Gaudet Middle School Site; relocating Grades 2-5, Central School Administration, Facilities and Transportation Office into the current High School; establishing a Lower Elementary School for Pre-K, Kindergarten, and First Grade into Forest Ave Elementary School; and vacating the Aquidneck Elementary and the Administration Offices currently at Oliphant Lane.
How much will the project cost?
How much will the project cost?
The voters of Middletown approved a $190 million bond in the November, 2023 election to pay for the project.
When is the new Middle/High School expected to be completed?
When is the new Middle/High School expected to be completed?
The current timeline is for the new middle/high school to welcome new students in the fall of 2027.
How do I make a request for a public record?
How do I make a request for a public record?
To file a Public Records request online, access the Town of Middletown portal powered by NextRequest by clicking the Public Records link.
Student population is declining. Why do we need to build a new middle/high school?
Student population is declining. Why do we need to build a new middle/high school?
HMFH contracted Cropper GIS (https://www.croppergis.com/) to perform a demographics study to establish a target capacity for the future Middletown Middle/High School. A summary of the process and the results is posted here: https://5il.co/2bf3x. It shows that the student population in five years will be similar to that of today. Also, the Town is not just getting a new middle-high school, but the new building will serve as a community center with an auditorium, gymnasium, CTE space that could potentially be used after hours by the Town, and a new warming/emergency shelter for Aquidneck Island. The School District is also reducing the number of buildings needed to support education, reducing operating costs.
What has the committee done regarding a traffic study affecting the neighborhood directly to the south of the new buildings?
What has the committee done regarding a traffic study affecting the neighborhood directly to the south of the new buildings?
A traffic study was conducted by one of the architect's consultants. It mentions the pedestrian cut-through at Columbia Road on page 7. The report concludes that there will be minimal changes to traffic patterns due to the redistribution of students between the two schools (page 15). However, it is a legitimate concern that parents might still try to use Ward Avenue/Columbia Road as a drop-off shortcut. The idea of a fence along the southern property line has been shared with the design team for further evaluation. The design team is also looking into potential traffic calming measures for Ward Avenue, Honeyman Avenue, and Turner Road to address the possibility of increased traffic in these areas. As the project moves forward, additional communications to the community will be forthcoming.
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