Middletown Mayor Tony Perry announced a plan to keep Leonardo Elementary, Navesink Elementary and Bayshore Middle schools open. The first part would have the township acquire a 10-acre parcel of land, owned by the school district using its Open Space Trust Fund. Secondly, the township would share the cost of the police department’s special law enforcement officers at schools. "Together, these two actions will provide the district with $2.6 million in support, funding that can stabilize the district," said Perry. Parents with Save Middletown Schools are encouraged. "Temporary relief right now, I'm glad that this happened," said Talya Bauer, Middletown parent. "But I'm sad at what it took to get there." "Incredibly relieved and happy and impressed that Middletown can come together, and parents with a government response," said Eric Dowell, Middletown parent. In mid-March, parents overwhelmed a school board meeting after learning the district is a facing a $10 million deficit. The two options presented were to close the schools or increase taxes. "Across New Jersey, you are seeing school funding formula issues," said Perry. "It has to look at it and reinvent itself. I hope conversations like this and conversations that are happening all across the state, the efforts of parents here, will help contribute that." The proposal will be presented and further discussed at the Middletown Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April 8 beginning at 7 p.m. in the Middletown High School North Auditorium.