Eminent Domain Filed for K-1 Center, August Start to School Year?

1. RTMSD officially filed a “declaration of taking” on May 1, 2026, to acquire approximately 0.2 acres of land from the Philadelphia Meeting Room (the neighboring church). The district will proceed with the realignment of Rose Tree Road, an infrastructure requirement for the new school.
2. The new K-1 Center will target a 2029-30 school year opening. The district anticipates meeting with the Middletown Township Planning Commission this July. Physical work and mobilization on the site are projected to begin in Fall 2027.
3. The district debated moving the start of the school year earlier into August. A survey of RTMSD families showed that 75% of respondents preferred starting after Labor Day. District officials argued that school days in August are significantly more valuable for learning than days in June. The district will present the survey results and a draft policy at the next meeting.
4. A final vote on the budget (including the 3.5% real estate tax increase) is scheduled for the May 28 legislative meeting.

You can find a record of the meeting here: