Newport Public Schools is considering moving fifth grade back to Pell Elementary School and reconfiguring Thompson Middle School to serve grades six through eight.
Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain revealed the potential change during an interview with What’sUpNewp on Wednesday, citing declining enrollment as a key factor in the consideration.
“We’re going to go over there and take a look because ideally we would like to eventually move if possible, and this has to be approved by school committee or whatnot. But we have had the discussion about moving grade five back to Pell and keeping it at an elementary level and making Thompson six through eight,” Jermain said.
The superintendent emphasized that the discussion is still in its preliminary stages. Before any decisions are made, the district plans to conduct a thorough analysis of available space and review enrollment projections.
“We have to first do an analysis of space. We have to look at those enrollment projections and move if we’re going to do anything, get a plan together,” Jermain explained.
Enrollment in Newport schools has been on a downward trend, with the superintendent noting that current numbers are lower than at the same point last year.
“Usually at this time, we’re not where we were on the fourth week last year in September,” Jermain said. “There’s probably about a 5% difference between where we were last year and where we are now.”
In her Superintendent Update on Wednesday, Jermain wrote, “According to the most recent estimates provided by our consultant, the New England School Development Center, Newport Public Schools is projected to see a 22% enrollment decrease over the next 10 years”.
The decline in student population is not unique to Newport. During her conversation with What’sUpNewp, Jermain pointed to broader demographic shifts affecting the region.
“We do know the birth rate has dropped significantly in this area,” she said. “The zero to six year olds in our community are almost half of what they used to be.”
While the potential grade reconfiguration is still in the planning stages, it’s part of a larger effort by the district to adapt to changing enrollment patterns and optimize the use of school facilities.
The superintendent also mentioned that some administrative offices, currently housed in temporary spaces, might be relocated to Thompson Middle School as part of the reorganization.
“As far as Thompson goes, I think, Frank, some of the discussion has been that maybe moving some of the administrative offices over there, because as of this very moment, I’m still in the Winnebago with Miss Nash,” Jermain said.
The district is aiming to complete its space analysis and develop a more concrete plan within the next 60 to 90 days.
In addition to the potential grade reconfiguration, Jermain discussed other challenges and initiatives in the district, including efforts to improve student attendance and the ongoing construction of the new Rogers High School.
The superintendent expressed concern about early attendance numbers, noting they are not where they need to be compared to last year. The district is implementing various strategies to address this issue, including new restorative justice programs and after-school activities.
As the district navigates these changes and challenges, Jermain emphasized the importance of adapting to new realities in education.
