Wareham’s eighth graders will remain in the middle school after the School Committee narrowly defeated a proposal to move the students to the high school.

Only two of five committee members favored moving students to the high school at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school-year.

On Wednesday night, Cliff Sylvia and Melvin Lazarus spoke in favor of the move. Sylvia noted he had received overwhelming support from students, teachers and school officials in the past.

Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood floated the idea in 2015, saying it would afford more academic opportunities for eighth graders and balance the student population between the 555-student high school and 800-some-student middle school.

Parent and former School Committee member Rhonda Veugen spoke during citizen’s participation and called the vote on the decision “premature.” Veugen urged the committee to give “the time that is desperately needed to make [the] decision.”

Though there was little debate during the meeting, the discussion to move the students has been  going on for over a year now.

Committee members have held open discussion nights inviting parents, students, and teachers to offer their opinions. Throughout the process, many expressed dismay with the idea, saying that placing 18-year-olds and 13-year-olds in the same building is not in the younger students’ best interest.

Lazarus said that basing the decision on the social integration of the students would be “selling our eighth graders really short.”

Committee member Geoff Swett, who said he found no compelling reason to vote yes on the proposition, said he wasn't sure the move would be best for all eighth graders.

“That's why we have dual enrollment,” said Swett. “That's all we need.”

The dual enrollment program allows interested eighth graders to take classes at the high school for part of the school day. The decision, Swett said, is ultimately up to the students and parents.

Swett pointed out that moving the eighth graders would cost money that the school “doesn't have to spare” and it would take away 200 students from the new middle school principal.

“I’m uncomfortable taking 25 percent of his kids away from him before he's had the chance to do a great job,” said Swett.

Each committee member expressed his or her opinion before moving to a vote. Morgan, Judy Caporiccio (who participated remotely) and Swett voted against the move.