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Be a part of the long-term planning process in the Onteora Central School District
March 30 @ 6:30 pm
The Onteora Central School District has some important decisions to make about the future of the school district, and they are seeking feedback from community members to help guide them. By examining possible configuration scenarios, answering an online survey by March 10 and attending a Zoom discussion forum on March 30 at 6:30 p.m., residents of the district will have the opportunity to have their opinion and ideas shared with the Board of Education.
At its January 24 meeting, the Board of Education voted to move Grade 6 into Onteora Middle School. This decision was made to address scheduling challenges and allow middle school students more opportunities to access required curriculum, enriching electives and needed resources and supports. It will also help students form stronger relationships at a critical time in their development, as well as provide staff with the time necessary to identify, assess and implement supports and interventions to ensure students move onto the high school with the greatest chance for success. This change will not take place until September 2024, allowing 18 months to ensure thoughtful planning and collaboration.
Moving Grade 6 to the middle school also means that important decisions are now needed regarding the K-5 elementary program. Since the 2004-2005 school year, district enrollment declined from 2,100 students to 1,100 students, yet the number of campuses has remained the same. In 2019, the district’s school study consultant, Kevin S. Baughman, Ph.D. provided the board with a comprehensive School Building Utilization and Grade Configuration Study, which helped outline various possibilities, pros, cons and other impacts of various configuration options. The board is now closely examining this research to determine its next steps and urges the community to provide feedback.
The options under consideration include closing Bennett Elementary and housing the elementary students in Woodstock Elementary and Phoenicia Elementary; closing either Woodstock or Phoenicia and utilizing Bennett Elementary in conjunction with one of the other buildings; or closing both Woodstock Elementary and Phoenicia Elementary and utilizing Bennett Elementary as the sole elementary school and operating with a central campus model.
“The future of our district is important to all of our community — students, parents, guardians, PTA members, taxpayers, and local businesses — and we sincerely want to engage in meaningful dialogue as we tackle an exciting challenge and opportunity,” said superintendent Victoria McLaren. “I urge everyone to review the reports, take the survey and attend the community forum on March 30.”
Links to review the School Building Utilization and Grade Configuration Study, as well as to the survey and Zoom meeting, are posted at www.onteora.k12.ny.us/plantogether.
