Letter to the Editor: Community stakeholders must be at the center of Newport-Middletown merger talks

As conversations about merging Newport and Middletown school districts continue, we urge decision-makers to lead with something more meaningful than efficiency: community and legacy.

Like the preservation work of Doris Duke—who didn’t just save buildings but safeguarded the spirit of a place—our public schools deserve the same care. They carry the hopes and values of the families they serve. While mergers may offer operational gains, excluding families, educators, and Special Education professionals threatens the trust and shared responsibility that make public education successful and impactful.

For students with disabilities, disruption to service models, staffing, or IEP implementation can deeply impact learning and well-being. Special Education cannot be an afterthought—it must be woven into planning from the start.

The spirit of connection is alive across Aquidneck Island, where retirees, servicemembers, young families, and business owners share space with ease. I’ve felt it in authentic chats with locals and visitors around town, in a neighbor shoveling my driveway after a storm, and in warm waves on dog walks in both Middletown and Newport. These quiet acts of generosity reflect a community rooted in mutual respect. Stakeholders bring real fiscal and emotional investment to this merger. They expect transparency, value school quality, and want their voices heard.

Mergers are structural. Trust is relational. As a Special Education professional with NPS, I’m prepared to contribute—especially as liabilities tied to IEPs and stakeholder exclusion threaten success. I welcome the chance to support a 2–5 year plan if superintendents create space for practitioner voices.

Sincerely,
Ms. Rebecca Eleyi
Middletown Resident

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