Middletown, NJ – Things got a bit heated in Middletown Tuesday night as parents were locked out as others shouted in frustration over the announcement that multiple schools are now facing closure.
The Middletown Township Public School District has unveiled a dramatic proposal to close three schools—Leonardo Elementary, Navesink Elementary, and Bayshore Middle School—as part of a broader effort to address a looming financial crisis. Superintendent Jessica Alfone announced the plan, dubbed “Middletown Reimagined,” on Tuesday, citing a $10-million budget deficit and a significant drop in state aid as the driving forces behind the decision.
According to Jersey Coast Emergency News, parents also protested actions by the board against one school teacher, Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick. The school board has been exposed for targeting Mr. Rodrick, a science teacher in the district for political retribution.
Lines of parents waited outside as police blocked parents and residents from entering the meeting according to the source.
“Middletown Police Department is removing parents who tried to attend tonight’s BOE meeting. The meeting is being held in the library when it could have been moved to the auditorium. The BOE forced security to lock the doors,” JCEN said. “Parents are furious and banging on windows demanding they be allowed to attend the meeting. Police are threatening arrests, as parents are upset about the closing of schools proposed in the budget. Some spectators are shouting in support of Mr. Dan Rodrick a science teacher, who is also the mayor of Toms River. He is on administrative leave due to a potential political attack from this board.”
Some residents are now saying the board intentionally moved tonight’s meeting to a smaller facility to keep the public out.
The district did not respond to the criticism.
The district intends to eventually sell or lease the Leonardo and Navesink properties to generate additional revenue, following a similar model to the recent $2.5-million sale of Port Monmouth Elementary to Monmouth County for conversion into an indoor swim center.
Alfone emphasized the situation’s urgency during a contentious school board meeting Tuesday night, where parents voiced strong opposition.
“We are underwater financially,” she said. “The district spends approximately $21,000 per student, but the state only provides $15,000, leaving us with a substantial gap.”
She noted that while costs have risen, enrollment has steadily declined—from 10,000 students in 2009 to 8,500 today—with projections indicating little growth over the next decade.
“The idea that our schools are overcrowded is a myth,” Alfone added. “We must shrink our physical footprint to achieve greater financial stability.”
The proposal follows a $7-million reduction in state aid over recent years, a trend affecting suburban districts across New Jersey. Without these closures, Alfone warned, the district could face drastic measures, including laying off 120 staff members by June, increasing class sizes to 28-30 students, or even risking a state takeover similar to those seen in Hoboken and Atlantic City.
“We’re at a fork in the road,” she said. “If we can’t rectify the budget, the state will step in and force closures on their terms.”
Public reaction was swift and heated. Parents packed the school board meeting, decrying the plan as disruptive to their children’s education and community ties. “These schools are the heart of our neighborhoods,” said one parent, who asked not to be named. “Moving kids around like this feels like a betrayal.” Others questioned why the district couldn’t find alternative solutions, such as cutting administrative costs or seeking additional funding.
The “Middletown Reimagined” plan is part of the district’s 2025-26 budget, which must be finalized by April 30. Tuesday’s meeting marked the first reading of the budget, with a vote taken but no final decisions made. The school board has scheduled additional public meetings throughout March and April to gather input, though a final vote on the closures is expected at the April 30 meeting.
Alfone acknowledged the proposal’s emotional toll.
“This is a very challenging time in public education,” she said. I have to think about all 8,500 students in this district and make decisions for the greater good.”
She urged residents to participate in the upcoming discussions, promising transparency as the process unfolds.
The fate of Leonardo Elementary, Navesink Elementary, and Bayshore Middle School hangs in the balance, as Middletown grapples with balancing its books and preserving its educational legacy. Further details will be released in a forthcoming press statement from the superintendent’s office, with the district bracing for what promises to be a contentious spring.
