Council

Planning Commission Votes to Recommend K-1 Center Plan with Conditions

The K-1 Center is planned to open in September 2029 with kindergarten only, adding first grade the following year.

Paul, Middletown Observer

— 3 min read
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Planning Commission Votes to Recommend K-1 Center Plan with Conditions
Photograph of the event by Middletown Observer.

The Middletown Township Planning Commission voted 4-2 to recommend approval of Rose Tree Media School District's proposed K-1 Early Learning Center with additional conditions.

9/9 Update

Conditions for the Planning Commission's approval:


  1. The school district must work with the township on all additional traffic calming measures associated with the project.
  2. The outcome of the eminent domain filing over the property at 129 N. Middletown Road must be resolved before final approval.
  3. All final plans must be submitted to Middletown's emergency services so they can review access and emergency response.
  4. All of the school district's correspondence with PennDOT, the state, and relevant conservation groups must be shared with the township.
  5. Township staff, engineers, land planning, and county engineers must approve a review letter.

This sends the project to Township Council for a final decision, potentially as early as Wednesday, September 16th.

About 90 residents attended the event. 18 people spoke during abbreviated public comment, 7 in favor, and 11 against.

The K-1 Center is planned to open in September 2029 with kindergarten only, adding first grade the following year. It will bring full day kindergarten to the school district.

As always, you can follow along by reading Middletown Observer. Here's what I've covered so far:

What’s New in the K-1 Center Debate, August Edition
The district announced a September town hall at the August 11 hearing, as opposition to the K-1 Center grew to nearly 90% of speakers.
Middletown ObserverPaul, Middletown Observer

Read my recap of the August 12 Planning Commission meeting here.

What’s New in the K-1 Center Debate
The school district brought several new arguments and a new concern emerged.
Middletown ObserverPaul, Middletown Observer

Read my recap of the July 14 Planning Commission meeting here.

For and Against: Rose Tree Media’s K-1 Center Plan
Here’s my best summary of where things stand in the debate over Rose Tree Media School District’s proposed K-1 Center.
Middletown ObserverPaul, Middletown Observer

Read my coverage of the proposal before the process began here.

Q&A: Dr. Joseph Meloche, Superintendent of RTMSD (Pt. 1)
Superintendent Joseph Meloche and district Communications Coordinator Barbara Wilson on why a dedicated K-1 building beats an addition. Part 1 of 2.
Middletown ObserverPaul, Middletown Observer

Read my interviews with Superintendent Dr. Joseph Meloche here (part 1).

Q&A: Dr. Joseph Meloche, Superintendent of RTMSD (Pt. 2)
Middletown Observer sat down with Superintendent Joseph Meloche to dig into the questions residents are asking about the K-1 Center: why not expand an existing school, and what redistricting means for kids. Part 2 of 2.
Middletown ObserverPaul, Middletown Observer

Read my interviews with Superintendent Dr. Joseph Meloche here (part 2).

More to come.

Read more