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The Oneida Central School District is urgently searching for a new location for its high school students after severe flooding in June left Oneida High School heavily damaged. The flooding destroyed parts of the building, causing significant electrical, sewage, and structural issues, and the school will remain closed for the entire 2025-2026 academic year. Superintendent Matthew Carpenter has confirmed that the district aims to find a suitable location by August 7 to prepare for the new school year starting September 4.
The district is considering two main options. According to WSYR-TV, one option involves splitting the middle school into two shifts, with high school students attending in the first half of the day and middle school students in the second half. The other option is to relocate all 500 high school students to a single shared facility, aiming to maintain a normal school day and minimize disruptions to teaching, learning, and athletics.
Parents and students have expressed concerns about the upcoming changes. Tanya Schroeter, a parent of a senior, shared her disappointment, saying, "She's not going to be walking through the high school again." Meanwhile, Charlie White, another parent, acknowledged the efforts of the district, stating, "Everyone wants results, but we’re not the ones working tirelessly on it like these guys are."
Superintendent Carpenter plans to make a decision before the weekend, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. "We’re five weeks away from school, so whatever we do, we have to do it quickly," he said. The district's decision will impact the upcoming school year, and parents are eager for a resolution that ensures minimal disruption for their children.