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Heads up! Our parent watchdogs have scanned the upcoming agenda for Middletown City. We found 4 items that need your immediate attention before the vote.
| 🚨 HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 9) |
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Biased News Articles Injected into Classrooms
The board is set to approve a $42,700 contract renewal with Newsela, a digital content provider known for pushing biased, left-leaning news articles into English, Science, and Social Studies classes. This service allows for the daily injection of political and social commentary disguised as curriculum, bypassing traditional textbook review processes. The contract is being paid for with a federal Title IV grant, meaning federal dollars are being used to purchase ideologically-driven materials.
Recommended Action Plan
PACK THE ROOM: This is a direct pipeline of ideology into the classroom. Call Board President Chris Urso at (513) 217-2638 and demand this item be pulled from the Consent Agenda for a full vote. Ask: ‘Why are we paying for a news service that consistently presents a one-sided political viewpoint to our children?’
💰 Taxpayer Impact: $42,700 (Federally Funded via Title IV)
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| 🚨 HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
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Accepting Federal Money with Hidden Strings
The board is voting on a blanket resolution to accept a bundle of federal and state grants. Hidden inside is ‘Title IV’ funding, which is frequently used as a Trojan horse to implement controversial Social Emotional Learning (SEL), ‘student wellness’ surveys, and DEI programs that are mandated by the federal government, bypassing local control. Approving this resolution accepts the money without a public discussion of the strings attached.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email Superintendent Deborah Houser at dhouser@middletowncityschools.com: ‘I demand the “Resolution to Participate in the CCIP” be pulled from the Consent Agenda. The Board must publicly discuss the specific requirements and data-sharing mandates attached to the Title IV grant before accepting these federal funds.’
💰 Taxpayer Impact: Millions in federal/state grants with undisclosed programmatic and data-sharing requirements.
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| 🚨 HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
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Outsourcing Preschool, Bypassing Board Oversight
The board is approving a 15-year lease to hand over the Middletown Early Learning Center to the Butler County ESC, an outside government entity. This outsources the education of our youngest children to an organization that is not directly accountable to Middletown voters. Parents will have no direct say over the curriculum, hiring, or policies implemented in this preschool, creating a buffer that shields these programs from public scrutiny.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY: Call any board member at (513) 217-2638 and ask: ‘Who will approve the curriculum used at the new Early Learning Center run by the Butler County ESC? Will Middletown parents have the same rights to review materials and challenge policies as they do in district-run schools? This 15-year deal must not bypass parental rights.’
💰 Taxpayer Impact: Loss of direct board oversight over early childhood education for 15 years.
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| ⚠️ NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 5) |
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Redefining Parent Engagement Through an Equity Lens
The district is adopting its yearly ‘Parent and Family Engagement Policy.’ While seemingly routine, the policy language, required by federal Title I grants, focuses on identifying ‘barriers’ for parents with ‘particular attention’ to their ‘racial or ethnic minority background.’ This is the foundational language used to create ‘equity’ initiatives that divide parents by group identity instead of treating them as individuals and partners in their child’s education.
Recommended Action Plan
ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS: Email Superintendent Deborah Houser at dhouser@middletowncityschools.com: ‘Regarding the new Parent Engagement Policy, what is the specific process for selecting members of the parent advisory board to ensure it represents all parents, not just specific identity groups?’
💰 Taxpayer Impact: None (Policy Change)
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