For and Against: Rose Tree Media's K-1 Center Plan

Here at Middletown Observer, I seek to understand first. Here's my best summary of where things stand in the debate over Rose Tree Media School District's proposed K-1 Center. I'm pulling this from what's been said in public meetings and social media. Let's dive in.

Opponents say we should invest in and improve our current elementary schools. The school district counters that the land, infrastructure, and building designs at those schools make expansion unrealistic.

Cost remains a large part of the debate. The K-1 Center was originally projected at $81.5 million; that figure has since risen to $84 million, though it still falls within the $78 million to $85 million range the district initially estimated. This whole thing is complicated by the addition of athletic field improvements. It makes the total number higher. This post is only about the K-1 Center, so we'll focus on that specific number.

For taxpayers, the school district says "There will be no additional costs to taxpayers beyond the annual approved budget for the new school." The approved budget for next year is projected to add $212 a year to the tax bill on the median-assessed home in the school district.

Opponents also bring up traffic concerns. The intersection the school district wants to build on is a traffic challenge. The township's Traffic Impact Study says "all study area intersections will operate at acceptable levels of service and satisfy PennDOT's level of service criteria."

The district points out that the road realignment project will happen regardless of the property, since PennDOT had it on schedule for completion in about a decade. The plan is to move the project up and cover most of it with a grant, but there remains an open question about school taxes paying for a state road.

Opponents say it isolates special needs students. The district disputes that, noting the plan includes a dedicated space for its Linking Learning to Life program, which serves students ages 18 to 21 with special needs.

Opponents have also raised environmental concerns, noting that more than 200 trees would be removed for the project. The district acknowledges the loss but points to the township's tree-replacement policy, which it says "will ensure vegetation to support the wildlife and the appearance of the property."

Overall, I've seen general agreement that the addition of 600 new homes in the past six years means we'll need new academic space for the kids. Most comments I've seen agree that full-day kindergarten is a worthwhile goal for Middletown's working families.

Here's a link to a video from the Superintendent.

Here's a link to a Fact Sheet created by the district.

For more FAQs, the school district created this page.

Here's a link to a group Your Neighbors, who are organizing against this project proposal.