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Oneida High School students will not be attending classes at the former Bishop Grimes Junior/Senior High School this year. The Oneida City School District decided not to lease the building due to the extensive upgrades needed to make it safe and ready for students. Superintendent Matthew Carpenter announced on social media that the district did not sign a lease because of the necessary building improvements, including mechanical, heating, safety, and network systems, which could not be completed in time for the school year.
The decision follows the closure of Oneida High School after it suffered flood damage in June. According to Syracuse.com, the district had initially considered Bishop Grimes as a temporary location but ultimately decided against it due to safety concerns. The district emphasized that the safety and well-being of students and staff remain their highest priority.
In an email to families, the district explained that the decision was made out of caution and thanked the Diocese for offering the space. WSYR-TV reported that more information about the academic year's plans will be provided soon. Students may end up using the district's middle school for classes. Javarin Daniels, a junior at Oneida High, expressed concerns about the impact on extracurricular activities, stating, "I’m really nervous we won’t be able to have team practices."