2025-43 Academic Integration Committee

RESOLUTION OF THE NEWPORT CITY COUNCIL

FORMATION OF AN ACADEMIC INTEGRATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WHEREAS, The City of Newport ("Newport") and Town of Middletown ("Middletown") public schools must fully meet the needs and aspirations of all students while ensuring equitable access to high-quality education for every learner; and

WHEREAS, Successful partnerships between Middletown and Newport have demonstrated a strong foundation for improving student outcomes through collaborative initiatives, such as community partnerships that provide robust summer and after-school programs, the forthcoming joint Community Learning Center (set to open in 2026), and the achievement of multiple championship teams, underscoring the value of shared educational resources; and

WHEREAS, Innovative programs such as Multi-Language Learner programs, Learn 365, and the Newport Area Career and Technical Center have proven the transformative power of well-designed educational systems on Aquidneck Island, ensuring that all students have access to meaningful learning opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Newport and Middletown public schools face substantial and growing budgetary challenges, underscoring the urgent need for strategic collaboration to maximize the impact of educational investments while maintaining a commitment to fairness and accessibility for all students; and

WHEREAS, Decisions regarding public education must prioritize student success and ensure that taxpayer resources dedicated to education are utilized effectively to enhance academic achievement; and

WHEREAS, In September 2022, the Newport City Council affirmed the necessity of prioritizing academic planning in any discussions on collaboration with Middletown public

schools when it requested the establishment of an Academic Advisory Committee to develop a comprehensive educational framework; and

WHEREAS, no Academic Advisory Committee has been formed to date, leaving critical questions about educational integration, equity, and student outcomes yet to be answered; and

WHEREAS, In the absence of a clearly articulated plan for equitable educational integration, Newport voters rejected administrative regionalization on November 8, 2022, reinforcing the necessity of a transparent, student-centered approach before requesting taxpayer support; and

WHEREAS, the Newport City Manager has requested from the Newport City Council how and if to proceed regarding regionalization; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, That the Newport City Council immediately calls upon the Newport School Committee, the Middletown Town Council, and the Middletown School Committee to support the formation of an Academic Integration Advisory Committee to advise on ways Newport and Middletown can collaborate to improve fair access and student outcomes; and BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, That this committee shall include educational experts from both communities, including superintendents and their advisors on curriculum and academic success, representatives from Parent Teacher Organizations (PTOs), public school educators as recommended by their respective bargaining units, a designee from each school committees’ policy committee, representatives from community-based educational support programs, members from each communities’ Learn 365 teams, and other experts in educational integration; and BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, That within ninety days of its formation, the Academic Integration Advisory Committee shall present a request for necessary resources and a proposed action plan outlining strategies to advance educational integration and equity across Newport and Middletown public schools. Upon approval, the committee shall prepare a comprehensive Report detailing recommendations for collaboration and a roadmap for implementation by June 30, 2026; and BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, That this Report shall serve as the foundation for all current and future efforts regarding educational regionalization under the present Council, and that the report’s findings shall be thoroughly reviewed before seeking additional state or municipal action on regionalization.

ELLEN PINNOCK
XAY KHAMSYVORAVONG
STEPHANIE SMYTH
DAVID R. CARLIN, III

IN COUNCIL
READ AND PASSED
MARCH 12, 2025

LAURA C. SWISTAK, CMC
CITY CLERK